+91-7676813665 bookings@traveljaunts.in

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login
INR

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login
+91-7676813665 bookings@traveljaunts.in

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login

Surprisingly Mishraji showed some excitement when I said, ‘Lets go to Ranakpur’, Probably because it was daylight and his nightmare of late night driving to Kumbhalgarh was over. Besides, we were going to one of the 5 most important temples of Jainism in India which also happened to serve good lunch, as per our Mishraji of course !

We started post breakfast from Kumbhalgarh and were there right before lunch. Beautiful, clean premises and thankfully non- commercial with literally no shops or sellers around. Good start I must say!

Ranakpur Jain temple
Ranakpur Jain temple- This pic is taken by my son

About Ranakpur Jain Temples

Ranakpur is a small village that lies at a distance of approx. 60 kms from Udaipur in Pali district of Rajasthan in western India and is famous for its widely acclaimed intricate and detailed architectural styled Jain temples. The temple complex covers an area of 48000 sq ft , has 29 halls, 80 domes and 1444 pillars, each of them uniquely carved, yet no two of them are alike.

It is a one day trip from Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh, and even Jodhpur.

Play of light at Ranakpur Jain temples
Play of light at Ranakpur Jain temples

 

Ranakpur Jain Temples – History

The temple is named after the famous ruler of Mewar, Rana Kumbha and features Jain architecture beautifully & skilfully crafted in marble.

Interestingly, the temple construction began in 1146 but the temple idols were installed only after 50 years, that is in 1496.  The construction followed another 15 years and it took whooping total 65 years to create this Jain marvel.

Now if you are thinking who took this ardent task on his shoulders. So let me disclose…

This temple came into being because of the endeavours of four great and devout .They were Acharya Somasundatsuri, Dharanashah, the Minister to Kumbha Rana, Rana Kumbha himself, and above all, Depa, the architect.

Apparently, Dharnashah had some celestial vision to build these temples in the honour of lord Adinath, the first tirthankara of Jainism. And to bring his vision into reality, he took support from the ruler, Rana Kumbha who not only gave the land but also sponsored the construction work.

Interiors at Ranakpur temple
Interiors at Ranakpur temple

However, the story isn’t all hunky dory. For two centuries, the temple did hold its prominence among devotees but around 17th century, things changed. The entire region got devasted by war.

To save the statues of the temple from invaders, the priests hid the statues in the cellars and fled to never return. As a result, the temple was under ruins. In fact, at one point, Ranakpur itself became a refuge for decoits.

It was only around 20th century, people realized the importance of this beautiful structure and the so the temple was restored.

 

Ranakpur Jain Temples – The structure

The main chamber of the temple has four huge and identical white marble idols of lord Adinath almost (6 feet) tall facing the four different directions.  And in the sanctuaries on the second and third storeys also are enshrined four identical Jain images, reason why this temple is popularly called as Chaumukh temple.

The complex also houses temples dedicated to , Pasvanath, Neminath, Amba Matha and Surya.

The most outstanding feature of this temple is its infinite number of pillars. Whichever direction you see, your eyes would meet pillars. Pillars big, small, broad, narrow, ornate or plain however  ingenious designer has arranged them in such a manner that none of them obstructs the view of the pilgrim wishing to see the God idol.

Ranakpur Jain temples
Pillars at Ranakpur Jain temples

Here are some more images of the exquisite artwork in the temple

The deity of Shri Parshwanathjee with 108 heads of snakes and numerous tails. One cannot find the end of the tails.

The deity of Parshwanath with 1008 heads of snakes
The deity of Parshwanath with 1008 heads & tails of snakes

 

The ceiling at the entrance shows nymphs in various poses.

Intricate carvings at Ranakpur
Intricate ceiling art at Ranakpur Jain Temple

 

This is of course me with my camera wondering at what a man is capable of and looking forward to seeing the next such beautiful place..

 

Hooma with the camera at Ranakpur
At Ranakpur
About the author

The author is a Marketing Management graduate,currently living in Bengaluru India.Has traveled to more than 24 states in India and has been to 30+ countries apart from her extensive travel within India. She has the experience of traveling alone, traveling with her kid, and traveling in groups, with family or friends. She believes, traveling, photography and writing makes her life not only beautiful but also meaningful. Visit her blog at https://www.traveljaunts.in/blog-travel-jaunts/ for more

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Book hotel at the best price !



Booking.com

Book tours in any city, any country at the best price !

Recent Posts

Explore the Best of England & Scotland: Top 15 Must-Visit Destinations to Add to Your Bucket List
January 16, 2024
Eat Sleep Pray in Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand
December 25, 2023
Bali – The gorgeous, the serene, the beautiful and a must visit home decor heaven
May 1, 2023
Travel with me to Spain – A Photo blog
March 19, 2023
45 photos to inspire you to visit Morocco
November 2, 2022
How to live like Royalty in India
October 9, 2022

Archives

Proceed Booking