Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajasthan

Location: Ranakpur, Pali district, Rajasthan, India

Timings: 12 noon to 5 pm

Camera fees: Rs 50

Route: From Jodhpur: Jodhpur – National Highway 65 – Pali – State Highway 67 – Ranakpur

From Kumbhalgarh: Kumbhalgarh – State Highway 49 – State Highway 32 – Veera Matt – Ranakpur

Distance: Around 110 km from Udaipur, 10 km from Kumbhalgarh

Accomodation: Ranakpur temple, Ranakpur Hill Resort, RTDC Panihari Hotel

Ranakpur is located in Desuri tehsil near Sadri town of Pali district of Rajasthan. The Jain temple located here on the slope of Aravalli hills is said to be the most majestic of Jain temples. The temple was completed in 1458 is built with white marble and sand stone. Rana Kumbha the then ruler of Mewar patronized the temple and the temple was built by a devoted Jain. The main temple complex features 1444 pillars in all and have intricate design on stone. The inside domes are designed with flower petals and various Indian style. The domes and pillars are to be minutely watched for. I suggest you to take your time and go around this temple.

Note: The following items are not allowed inside the temple:

1. Eatables and drinks
2. Cigarettes and intoxicants
3. Leather items
4. Umbrella
5. Radio
6. Any weapon
7. Visitors need to enter the temple barefooted or with socks
8. Menstruating women are not supposed to enter the temple
9. People are supposed to enter the temple decently dressed
10. Visitors should not touch any idol or cravings

The temple is surrounded by semi forest range and it gives a green cover. It give me an out of the world feeling of a high level civilization in mid of a forest. the temple is situated on a higher pedestal. I had to climb around 20 plus steps to enter inside the temple. The path inside is a circular way and in the center is the idol of Adinath. He was the first Tirthankara of Jain religion. Also there are some other idols of Parsvanath and Amba mata. I saw small statues of all Tirthankaras of different times carved on a wall. The turrets, cupola and the temple as a whole stand beautifully with background of green cover of small hills.

One thing which stood out for me was the similarity of between a few towers with Jagannath temple of Puri, Orrisa. I was thinking if there was any collaboration between the sculptors of Rajasthan and Orissa then. Inside I walked around the complete way and photographed it. Then I sat on a platform which gives a view outside. The cool and fresh breeze was so soothing that it was like nirvana. From here I could see small temple erections up on the hill. The temple is nicely maintained and is very clean. They have lodging and food facility. Following this I went to see another temple which is located in front of the main Ranakpur temple. This temple is smaller. I think that it may have been constructed first and then the majestic main temple was constructed. The whole temple is now managed by Anandji kalyanji Trust, Ahmadabad.

Following this I went to the food stall there and had coffee, some special local snacks. Also, picked up the famous Gujarati Khakra. Ranakpur Jain temple is a must visit, if you are in Rajasthan.

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