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Ranakpur in the state of Rajasthan is one of the five most important pilgrimage sites of Jainism. It is home to an exceptionally beautiful temple complex in the Aravali ranges and a must visit for the tourists coming to this region. Ranakpur is tucked away in a remote valley in the Aravali range. It is situated around 60 km north of Udaipur in Pali district and boasts of one of the largest and most important Jain Temples in the country. The place is well connected through a road network to other places in the region.
There are several places of tourist attractions in Ranakpur, but it is the Jain temples that are the hub of activity.
The Ranakpur Jain Temple was built during the reign of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The basement is of 48, 000 sq. feet area that covers the whole complex. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty-four pillared halls and eligibly domes supported by over four hundred columns. The total number of columns is 1,444 all of which are intricately carved with no two being alike. 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 kg whose sound echoes in the entire complex. The main temple is of Chaumukh or four-faces temple dedicated to Adinath.
There are several places to see and visit near Ranakpur too.
Kumbhalgarh is a historical site around 30 km north east of Ranakpur. It is an important fort in the Mewar region after Chittorgarh. Other important place to visit in Kumbhalgarh is Wildlife Sanctuary known for its wolves.
History
Ranakpur is named after Rana Kumbha, whom Dharna Sah approached when he had the vision of his great temple, to ask for the land for its construction. Renowned for some marvelously carved Jain temples in amber stone, Ranakpur is one of the five holy places of the Jain community and certainly exceptional in beauty. Situated around 60 km from Udaipur, these temples were constructed in the 1439 A.D.
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