Ranakpur Temples in Rajasthan
Ranakpur Temples are located in the town of Rakanpur, nestled in the Aravalli ranges, about 50 kilometers away from Udaipur. The town is small, but the Jain temples here are a major attraction for pilgrims as well as tourists. The temples were built by a Jain merchant, Dharna Shah, on land donated by Rana Kumbha in the fifteenth century.
The largest of these temples has an area of more than 50,000 square feet. The temple has a unique appearance, since it was carved in the shape of a vimana, or aircraft, mentioned frequently in mythology. This temple has four "mandaps", and 24 large halls with domed ceilings. The halls have pillars of stone on which figurines of demigoddesses are carved. The largest hall has two huge bells, whose sound echo all over the temple complex on ringing.
The sanctum sanctorum holds a statue of Adinath, to whom the temple is dedicated. The statue depicts Adinath with four faces, each facing a different direction. It is an artistic representation of the omnipresent Adinath, who is present in every direction.
The largest of these temples has an area of more than 50,000 square feet. The temple has a unique appearance, since it was carved in the shape of a vimana, or aircraft, mentioned frequently in mythology. This temple has four "mandaps", and 24 large halls with domed ceilings. The halls have pillars of stone on which figurines of demigoddesses are carved. The largest hall has two huge bells, whose sound echo all over the temple complex on ringing.
The sanctum sanctorum holds a statue of Adinath, to whom the temple is dedicated. The statue depicts Adinath with four faces, each facing a different direction. It is an artistic representation of the omnipresent Adinath, who is present in every direction.
The second of the Ranakpur Temples is dedicated to Parshwanath. Of particular note here are the carved windows. The Suryanarayan Temple, dedicated to the sun god, has unique architecture, depicting the journey of the sun in the course of a day.
The third temple in the same complex is dedicated to Neminath. Surrounding the Ranakpur Temples are vast, silent forests of the Aravallis. The place is sparsely populated, and you will not find many people here apart from tourists and the odd shepherd leading his flock to better pastures.
The temples, though not as old as the other famous Jain temples at Mount Abu, are a masterpiece of stone artisanship.
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