Read More on Ranakpur Jain Temple
History
Ranakpur Jain temple history is worth studying. After Dhanna Shah had a vision he requested Rana Kumbha to give him a piece of land big enough to build a Jain temple. Rana Kumbha agreed to his request but he had a condition attached to it. He wanted the temple to be known by his name and thus the village was named Ranakpur. The construction was completed in 1458 CE.
One can easily spot an image of Akbar in the temple. It does raise questions in the minds of observant visitors. Akbar visited the temple in the 16th century and was left awestruck by the beautiful architecture. He then ordered for an inscription to be placed at the entry of the temple gates which said that no kind of destruction should be caused to this architectural marvel. The temple possesses two bells that weigh 250kgs and when rung in sync are like music to the ears of the devotees. The bells are gender-defined too, one is the female bell, which produces softer notes while the other one is a male bell and produces a bit higher aka louder notes.
You may spot the missing toran too. Well, the temple was sadly invaded by Aurangzeb in the 17th century and was vandalized by his soldiers. After the attack, it was left to fend for its fate. It became a house for the wild creatures and the fauna crept up to its walls.
In the 20th century, the dullsville temple was brought back to life by Seth Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi and since then the temple is managed by the same trust. They look after the timely renovations that take place in the temple.
Architecture
- The temple complex consists of temples which are the Parsavanath Temple, the Charmukha temple, the Amba Mata Temple, and the Surya Temple.
- The Charmukha temple is devoted to Tirthankara Adinath. It symbolizes the cosmos and is built keeping in mind the structure of the heavenly aircraft.
- The temple has four entrances on four sides followed by 29 halls and approx. 20 domes with a lot of beautifully carved pillars. The ceilings are carved too, with fine spiral lines and patterns; and various geometrical patterns.
- The temple is constructed using marble and the color of the robust columns changes throughout the day from golden yellow to pale blue.
Activities
- Enjoy a long drive from Udaipur to Ranakpur.
- Click pictures of the temple from the outside.
- Cherish the beauty of the temple and absorb the peace that the temple offers.
- You can also visit the Kumbhalgarh fort.
- Attend the prayer ceremony held in the temple.
- Visit the temples situated inside the temple complex such as Surya Temple, Amba Temple, Parsavanth Temple, and Chaumukha Temple.
Tips for visiting
- Taking pictures inside the Ranakpur temple complex is prohibited, so you are requested to adhere to the rules implemented by the temple authorities. If you have any queries you can reach out to the temple authorities.
- Wear appropriate clothes and respect the beliefs of the religion.
- Do not cause any kind of trouble or chaos inside the temple complex.
- Do not harm the temple structure out of curiosity.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Ranakpur Jain Temple is from October to March. You can freely explore the temple premises and enjoy the long drive from Udaipur to Ranakpur. If you plan to come here during summers you may not like it because the summers are harsh and may cause hurdles in your itinerary.
Nearby Atractions
- Kumbhalgarh Fort
- Surya Narayan Temple
- Ranakpur Dam
- Desuri
- Narlai
- Sadri
- Muchhal Mahavir Temple
Nearby market/ shopping places
The markets of Ranakpur are a paradise for shopaholics. The markets situated in this village offer a variety of traditional Rajasthani handicrafts. One can shop silver jewelry and gemstones to their heart's content. Here you can also buy pottery but traveling along with it could be troublesome, so think before you invest money in something. If you have an eye for antiques then this is the right place for you. You can also buy a variety of Rajasthani paintings and fabrics. You can easily get a variety of craft-related tools here.
Nearby Hotels
The Ranakpur Jain temple acts as a tourist magnet and attracts throngs of people throughout the year. Most people come here during the day and leave for Udaipur after visiting the temple. Some visitors club their visit to the Kumbhalgarh fort and Ranakpur temple, after covering both the destinations in a day they leave for Udaipur.
Both Ranakpur and Udaipur offer a variety of stay options so you need not worry about not being able to find a place to stay that suits your taste. To get the best deals on hotel bookings remember to visit the booking page of HotelDekho.com.
Some of the well-known places to stay in Ranakpur are:
- Aranyawas
- Ranakpur Safari Resort
- Fateh Bagh Palace
- Roopam Resort
If you plan on traveling back to Udaipur then you can stay at the following places:
- Jaiwana Haveli
- Hotel Lakend
- The Fern Residency Udaipur
- The Ananta Udaipur
- Hotel Sarovar
- Lake Pichola Hotel
Interesting Facts About Ranakpur Jain Temple
- The temple possesses stunning architecture and the 1444 pillars with detailed carvings are a piece of evidence. The gorgeous carvings on the pillars have stood strong through the test of time.
- No two pillars are identical, the carvings on each pillar are unique and one of a kind.
- The Ranakpur Jain temple history is rich. Aurangzeb attacked Ranakpur and the Jain temple stood witness to the wrath of the warriors. The Torans of this pilgrim site could not bear the attacks of the Mughal warriors.
- The color of the pillars inside the temple differs throughout the day. It is a magical view as the pillars sometimes appear to be slightly blue and sometimes golden yellow. This phenomenon completely depends on the position of the sunlight and the time of the day.
- The imperfection of the temple construction lies in the incomplete pillar. It is said that this pillar signifies the defeated ego of Rana Kumbha.
- There is a pillar that does not touch the surface and is slightly askew. It is believed that the pillar was knowingly kept this way to ward off evil.
