Rajasthan
Cities/Ranakpur
Ranakpur
Ranakpur in the state of Rajasthan is one
of the five most important pilgrimage sites of Jainism. It
is home to an exceptionally beautiful temple complex in
the Aravali ranges and a must visit for the tourists
coming to this region.
Location
Ranakpur is tucked away in a remote valley in the Aravali
range. It is situated around 60 km north of Udaipur in
Pali district and boasts of one of the largest and most
important Jain Temples in the country. The place is well
connected through a road network to other places in the
region.
History
Ranakpur is named after Rana Kumbha whom Dharna Sah, a
Jain businessman, approached when he had the vision of his
great temple to ask for the land for its construction.
Renowned for some marvelously carved Jain temples in amber
stone, Ranakpur is one of the five holiest places of the
Jain community and exceptional in beauty. Situated at a
distance of around 60 km from Udaipur, these temples were
constructed in the AD 1439.
Pilgrimages Attractions of Ranakpur
The Ranakpur Jain Temple was built during the reign of the
liberal and gifted Rajput monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th
century. The basement is of 48,000 sq. feet area that
covers the whole complex. There are four subsidiary
shrines, twenty-four pillared halls and domes supported by
over four hundred columns. The total number of columns is
1,444 all of which are intricately carved with no two
being alike. The artistically carved nymphs playing the
flute in various dance postures at a height of 45 feet are
an interesting sight. In the assembly hall, there are two
big bells weighing 108 kg whose sound echoes in the entire
complex. The main temple is a Chaumukh or a four-faced
temple dedicated to Adinath.
The three other Jain temples in the same complex,
including a temple of the Sun God, are all well worth a
visit. One kilometer away from the temple complex is the
temple of Amba Mata.
Sadri
Sadri, eight km away, is famous for some beautiful temples
and an old dargah of Khudabaksh Baba. The Varahavtar
temple and the Chintamani Parsvanath temple are the oldest
of the temples situated here.
Temples at Desuri
Three temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman and
Navi Mata are among some noteworthy temples at Desuri
around 16 km from Ranakpur. An old mosque situated here is
also worth a visit. A temple dedicated to Parsuram Mahadeo,
nestled in the hills, is also close by.
Another nearby place, Ghanerao, abounds in Hindu temples.
Most notable is the temple of Gajanand with a life-size
statue of the goddesses Riddhi and Siddhi. The statue in
the main shrine is guarded by idols of Hanuman and Bhairon
on either side.
Hotels in
Ranakpur
Hotel
Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat
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