Ranakpur is among the five holiest places of the Jain religion. Situated on the banks of River Maghai, the Ranakpur Temple is five hundred year old. It has a unique design and style. The main temple of the Ranakpur temple complex is called the Chaumukha Temple (four faced temple) and is dedicated to Adinathji, the first Jain tirthankara.
The stone carvings of this temple are stunning and have to be seen to be believed. It has 29 halls and intricately carved 1,444 columns, with no two columns looking alike. The assembly hall has two massive bells, each weighing a 108 kgs. Their sound echoes in the entire complex. The temple is in extremely good condition. The Ranakpur temple was nominated as one of the top 77 wonders in a contest for the new seven wonders of the world.
Also well worth a visit here is the Sun Temple. Built with Amber stone, its polygonal walls have remarkable carvings of warriors, horses & massive chariots.
The Ranakpur town has a beautiful ambience that is enhanced by its isolation. Situated in a verdant valley in the Aravali mountain range, its climate and serenity make for a relaxing holiday destination. The Royal retreat of Ranakpur is now a heritage hotel. Located just 98 Km away from Udaipur, it can easily be included in travel plans for Udaipur, as well as a destination by itself.
Places to Visit Ranakpur
Ranakpur is popularly known as the temple city of Rajasthan. The enigmatic Jain temples have captured tourists attention from times immemorial. It displays a fantastic blend of Hindu and Jain architectural style.
The famous Ranakpur Jain Temple exhibits art at its best on every inch. The temple was erected in the 15th century in the beautiful Aravali ranges. This massive marble pilgrim is revered as one amongst the five most important temples of the Jainism. There are innumerable pillars in this temple. These forty feet high pillars are carved each with a different design that bedazzles the visitor.
There are some beautifully carved small temples inside the complex as well. Shoes and leather objects are forbidden inside the temple.
A famous antiquarian Ferguson comments that no other temple in the nation leaves a pleasing impression and arranges columns in the interiors as gracefully as done in the temples of Ranakpur.
You can witness the beauty of the Aravali range through visiting the wildlife sanctuary here. Panthers, deer, wild pigs, jackals, etc., are some of the animals you can see there.
Ranakpur Jain Temple - One of the biggest and the most visited Jain temple, Ranakpur Jain Temple is a beautiful temple dedicated to Tirthankara Risshabhanatha. Some of the monuments resting in the temple are considered to be few of the best architectural pieces in the world. The construction of the temple was started by a Jain businessman, Dharna Shah, in the 15th Century. For construction tons of light coloured marbles were used, the temple is supported by around 1444 pillars, and the best part is, each and every of these pillars are unique in design, one can’t spot two pillars similar in design.
Sadri - The landing place for the Ranakpur Jain Temple & the Parshuram Mahadev Mandir, located in Palu District, Sadri is one of the most visited worship spots by the Jain community. There are total fourteen Jain temples from 10th& 11th Century in Sadri, which includes few of the most renowned temples like Shri Vokkal Mata Temple, Shri Mahakali Temple, Shri Parshuram Mahadev Temple etc. Among all the temples resting in this holy land, Varahavatar Temple and Chintamani Parasnath Temple are the ones mostly visited by the travellers around the world.
Surya Narayan Temple - Surya Narayan Temple, is a beautiful temple dedicated to the Surya Dev or Sun God. The temple was built in 13thCentury which was further reconstructed in the 15th Century, the walls of the temples of numerous designs in circles dedicated Surya Dev. This beautiful architecture also features a sculpture where the lord is riding a beautiful chariot of seven horses. One can witness the outstanding talent of the craftsmen of bygone era by observing the beautiful carvings of warriors, horses and the celestial bodies on the walls of the temple.
Ranakpur Dam - One of the most underrated spots of Ranakpur, Ranakpur Dam is a spot worth paying a visit. One can witness one of the most beautiful views and photogenic landscapes when visited here. Location of Ranakpur Jain Temple is very close to that of Dam, in fact the temple is quite visible from the dam. If you are someone who is looking for a break from the daily hustle, stress, tensions and want to spend some time in nature & peace, Ranakpur Dam is a spot you shouldn’t miss.
Best Time to Visit Ranakpur
One can see Ranakpur at its best when visited during the Ranakpur festival which is held in the month of October. Tourist from all over India visit the city during this time.
How to Reach Ranakpur
By Air - The nearest airport to Ranakpur is the Udaipur Airport, situated at a distance of 60 Km south of Ranakpur.
By Road - There are lot of state transport & private buses on a daily basis to commute from Udaipur to Ranakpur.
By Rail - Udaipur is the nearest Railway Station to Ranakpur which is well connected to all the major cities of India.
