| Ranakpur Jain Temple |
| Ranakpur Temple is a beautiful structure carved in stone, renowned for its fabulous architectural style and one of the five most sacred pilgrimage centers of the Jain community. The Ranakpur Jain Temple was built during the reign of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. Ranakpur temple is situated in Ranakpur village. 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. |
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| The artistically carved nymphs playing the flute in various dance postures at a height of 45 feet are an engrossing sight. In the assembly hall, there are two big bells weighing 108 kgs. Whose sound echoes in the entire complex. The four-faced image of the Lord is facing all the four directions. This image suggests the pursuit of Tirthankara's for the four directions and eventually the cosmos. The idol of the Lord is encircled by many other smaller shrines and domes. Again, one more array of cells with detached roofs surrounds these small shrines and domes. The five spires raise high in the sky and not less than 20 cupolas elevate from the roof the main pillared hall. There is a shrine under each spire and the largest spire houses the image of the Lord Adinath. The ceilings are decorated with pliable scrollwork and geometric designs. |
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| Adinatha is the prime deity in the renowned Jain temple at Ranakpur. In the construction of the grand temple which occupies an area of approximately 60 x 62 meters, light colored marble are used. Distinctive domes, shikhara, turrets and cupolas of the temple raise high in the sky majestically from the slope of a hill. An enormous basement cover 48,000 sq. feet is. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared halls and eight domes supported by over four hundred columns. The total number of columns is 1,444, all which are intricetrly carved, no two being alike. |
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| The temple is supported by wonderfully 1444 marble pillars and carved in exquisite detail. The pillars that support the temple complex are all differently carved and no two pillars are the identical. Counting of the pillars is highly impossible. Also all the statues face one or the other statue. Out of a single marble rock, there is one beautiful carving made where 108 heads of snakes and numerous tails can be seen. The image faces all four cardinal directions. In the axis of the main entrance, on the western side, is the largest image. The temple has three stories and has four small shrines with 80 spires that are held up by 420 columns. |
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| The temple is designed as caumukha-with four faces.[1] The construction of the temple and quadrupled image symbolize the Tirthankara's conquest of the four cardinal directions and hence the cosmos. |
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| The dating of this temple is controversial but it is largely considered to be anywhere between the late 14th to mid-15th centuries. Inspired by a dream of a celestial vehicle, Dharna Shah, a Porwad, is said to have commissioned it, under the patronage of Rana Kumbha, then ruler of Mewad. The architect who oversaw the project is said to have been named Deepaka. There is an inscription on a pillar near the main shrine stating that in 1439 Deepaka, an architect, constructed the temple at the direction of Dharanka, a devoted Jain. Facing the main temple |
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| are two more temples dedicated to the revered saints, Parasvanath and Neminath. These temples are also beautifully carved with figurines of angels and other divine beings depicted beautifully. |
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| This temple was nominated as one of the top 77 wonders in a contest for the new Seven Wonders of the World. |
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| 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 |
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| How to Reach |
| The nearest airport, railhead as well as road network is that of Udaipur
Ranakpur Jain temples are situated in the mountain ranges of Pali district. They are approximately 23 km from the Phalna railway station. |
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| Hatundi Rata Mahabir Swami Temple |
| Hatundi Rata Mahabir Swami Temple is splendid pink-white temple, dedicated to the 24th and last Jain saint Mahavira. The temple resembles 'Pyramids of Egypt'. A stairway is present to reach the huge central dome through three balconies or porches. One of the prettiest temples in Pali district is The Hatundi temple. The temple has undergone extensive renovations of late, and six huge cupolas with sharp turrets pointing skywards have been recently constructed. The alabaster white colour of the central dome and the cupolas contrasts vividly with the older part of the temple which is in pink. |
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| Nimbo Ka Nath |
Nimbo Ka Nath Temple is situated in Bali of Pali District. According to puranas is that the Pandavas stayed here during their exile from Indraprastha. Lord Shiva was worshipped here by Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas. An incarnation of Goddess Parvati, the idol of Goddess Navdurga - found here is believed to have been installed by the Pandavas.
On the eve of Shivratri and Baisakhi Purnima, Nimbo Ka Nath Fair is organized at Nimbo ka Nath Temple. Thousands of people from far and near attend this fair. |
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