Ranakpur Jain Temple, Pali Rajasthan

About Ranakpur:

Ranakpur is a village near Sadri town in the Pali district of Rajasthan in western India. It is located between Jodhpur and Udaipur, in a valley on the western side of the Aravalli Range. Ranakpur is easily accessed by road from Udaipur and Jodhpur. Ranakpur is widely known for its marble Jain temple, and for a much older Sun Temple which lies opposite the former.

Ranakpur Jain Temples:
Ranakpur Jain temples are situated in the mountain ranges of Pali district. They are approximately 23 km from the Phalna railway station. Dating back to the 15th century, the Jain temples of Ranakpur were constructed by Rana Kumbha. Enclosing the temples from all the sides is a strong wall. The entire temple area is enclosed within a wall. The main temple is the Chamukha temple, dedicated to the Tirthankara Rishabdeoji. This temple has contains a four-faced statue of Rishabdeoji in its inner sanctum. Also, enclosed in the temples are four subsidiary shrines, 24 pillared-halls and 8 domes supported by over 400 columns. The most fascinating feature of the temples is its columns. There are 1,444 intricately carved columns, of which not even two are the same. The shrine also has a corridor around it, containing niches for tirthankara images, each having its own spire. In the temple, are images of Adinath (north west), Parshvanath (north east), Ajitnath (south-east) and Lord Mahavir Swami (south west). The assembly hall contains two big bells weighing around 108kg. Also, at a height of 45 feet, there are artistically carved images of nymphs playing the flute in various dance postures. Facing the main temple is a small shrine dedicated to Prashvanath. In the inner sanctum of this shrine, is a black image of the Prashvanath. Ranakpur complex is one of the biggest and most important Jain temples in India, the extremely beautiful. Ranakpur is located about 56 miles north of Udaipur.
History and Architecture:
Ranakpur is one of the five holiest places of the Jain community and spectacular in architecture. It is probably the most complex and extensive of Jain temples in India. The Ranakpur Jain Temple were built under the reign of monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century and is the largest Jain temple in India. The main temple here is the Chaurnukha Temple, or Four Faced Temple. this temple is dedicated to Adinath, the first tirthankar. The sheer immensity and the graceful appeal of the main temple leaves the onlooker mesmerized. Built in 1439,this huge, beautifully crafted and well kept marble temple has 29 halls supported by1444 pillars, no two of which are similar. The interiors are embellished with carvings of Jain saviors, plant and floral motifs. Within the complex are two other Jain temples- to Neminath and Parasnath - and, a little distance away, a Sun Temple. "The Amba Mata Temple". The entire complex is beautifully planned so that all the courtyards within the temple open out to the bare sky.
Best Time to Visit:
The magnificent temple of Ranakpur and the surrounding areas can be visited in a time span of 2-3 days. The ideal time for visit would be between October to March. The climate of Ranakpur is tropical with the mercury climbing up to a maximum of around 42°C and a minimum of around 22°C. Winters are only a little colder with a maximum of around 20°C and a minimum of around 11°C. The annual total rainfall is around 55 centimeters. Winter months (October-March) are the best for visiting this place.
How to Reach:
By Air: The nearest airport is Udaipur 60 km south of Ranakpur. There are regular flights to Delhi, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Jodhpur, and Mumbai from Udaipur.
By Rail: The nearest major railway station is Udaipur. There are trains for Delhi, Chittaurgarh, Ajmer, and Jaipur from this station. The nearest railway station from Ranakpur is Phalna but most of the tourists prefer going to Udaipur to catch a train as it offers more choice.
By Road: There are frequent express buses from Udaipur that take around three hours to reach Ranakpur. State transport corporation buses as well as private buses connect Udaipur to other cities in the region. Major destinations that are connected to Udaipur are Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Jodhpur, Chittaurgarh, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Mt Abu.