Credit: Ashwin Panemangalore
Renowned as one of the five most significant Jain pilgrimages, Ranakpur Jain Temple is a magnificent holy place in the heart of Ranakpur, near Sadri town, in the Pali district of Rajasthan, India. The temple attracts a large number of devotees and tourists from all over the world. It is situated 33 km away from the Kumbhalgarh Fort and 97 km from the city of Udaipur.
History of Ranakpur Jain Temple
A masterpiece of ancient architecture, Ranakpur Jain Temple is dedicated to Lord Adinath. Construction of the temple began under the ruler of the region, Maharana Kumbha, who allocated land for the temple. To oversee its construction, He appointed his minister, Dharana Shah, who, under the influence of Acharya Somasundarsurjii, selected the plan of Depak of Mundara to build the temple.
Architecture of Ranakpur Jain Temple
Spread over 40,000 square feet of land, temple construction began in 1446 and was completed with the installation of the idol. The main temple, known as the Chaumukha temple, has a complex structure with four separate entrance doors that lead to the main hall, or Garbhgriha, where the idol of Lord Adinath is enshrined. With its intricate carvings and architectural grandeur, it is the most popular among the Jain temples in Ranakpur.
29 pillared halls, 80 domes, and 1444 pillars are the highlights of Rankapur Jain Temple. Each pillar reaching a height of 45 feet has an intricate sculpture of a numphys playing with a flute and dancing. As the day progresses, the collar of these pillars changes from golden to pale blue. In the main prayer hall, there are two colossal bells, each weighing 108 kg.
Other Temples in the Complex
In the vicinity of Chaumukha temple, there are several other Jain temples. One is dedicated to Parshvanath and has Jain figures and a beautifully engraved window. Nearby are two temples, one dedicated to the sun god and the other to Neminath, the 22nd Jain Tirthankara. The temple dedicated to the sun has an awe-inspiring sculpture of Lord Sutya driving his chariot of seven horses.
Timings and Visit Information
The Ranakpur Jain Temple is open to visitors from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is recommended to plan your visit during the daytime to fully appreciate the intricate carvings and the changing colors of the pillars.