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Jain Temple in Ranakpur Rajasthan



Here is Some Information about Jain Temple in Ranakpur Rajasthan India.



Location : Ranakpur, Rajasthan
Built in : 15th century, AD 1439
Built By :Seth Dharna Sah-a wealthy Jain businessman
Best Time To Visit:October to March
Visiting Timing: 1 Hour
Entry Charges & Fees:No
Camera: Rs. 50
Video Camera: Rs. 150
Type : Religious, Heritage


More Information about  Jain Temple in Ranakpur


The Ranakpur Jain Temple was built during the reign of theliberal and gifted Rajput monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century, in the AD 1439. The basement is of 48,000 sq. feet area that covers the whole complex. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty-four pillared halls and 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 interesting sight. In the assembly hall, there are two big bells weighing 108 kg whose sound echoes in the entire complex. The main temple is a Chaumukh or a four-faced temple dedicated to Adinath.
The main temple is the Adinath or Chaumukha temple (the four-faced temple) dedicated to the first tirthankara Adinath. Tucked away deep in the forested Aravalli hills, this is easily one of the most beautiful Jain temples in India. Built in the 15th century, the detailed and intricate carving on the marble looks like lace work rather than stone carving. The 15th century Adishwar temple or the Chaumaukha temple built by Sheth Dhanna Shah is a fine structure. It is in the form of a Nalinigulm Vimana (heavenly aircraft) that Shah had seen in his dream. Designed by Dipa Shilpi it took 65 years (1367- 1432) to erect and is the largest and most complex Jain temple in India. It also boasts of being one of the five most important holy shrines of the Jains.

The temple has 29 halls, 80 domes and the pavilions include 1444 pillars, each of them so intricately and artistically carved that they’ll leave a lasting impression on you. The figures of dancing goddesses, beautifully engraved on these pillars are an absolute architectural wonder. The best feature about these pillars is that no two pillars are alike in design and sculptures. Not only the pillars but almost every surface is carved with great intricacy. As you go from one chamber to another you’ll realize that it does not conform to the traditional longitudinal plan as of Indian temples but follows a cruciform one. This plan has four separate entrances, one on each side. Each of these then lead through a series of columned halls to a central arena and the sanctum which has the four faced white marble image of Lord Adinath. The first Jain saint Adinathji or Rishabhadev is surrounded by several other smaller shrines and domes. These are in turn surrounded by a Bhamati or range of cells for images, each of which has a roof of its own.


History of  Jain Temple Ranakpur



The Ranakpur Jain temples were built during the region of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. It is said that inspired by a dream of a celestial vehicle, Dhanna Shah have commissioned it, under the patronage of Rana Kumbha, then ruler of Mewar. Rana Kumbha donated a vast stretch of land to Dhanna Shah so as to enable him to realize his dream of building a great temple. 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.

The main Chamukha temple

Temples of Ranakpur present a distinct style of their own. The ceilings of the temples are adorned with foliate scrollwork and geometric patterns. The top and bottom part of the domes are joined by Brackets with figures of deities on them.
The most important amongst all the temples within the complex is the Chaumukha Temple, dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Adinath, An enormous basement cover 48,000 sq. feet are. 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 intricately carved, no two being alike. A corridor around the shrine has niches for the tirthankara images and each niche has its spire or shikhar. Little bells are festooned atop each shikar and their jingling in the breeze creates celestial music.
A large number of columns are carved elaborately, and it is said that no two pillars are alike in design. At a space that penetrates through two to three stories, various heights of domes are placed, and their ceilings have sculptures that are unbelievably intricate. Light is abundantly coming inside through gaps between ceilings and from courtyards, highlighting the intertwined spaces and fine carvings all around. The splendor of the space is so pure as the entire temple from the floors to the ceilings is made of white marble.
The entire temple area is enclosed within a wall. The beauty of this temple is indeed beyond description. The main 'Chamukha' temple is dedicated to the trithankara Rishabdeoji.

Ranakpur Jain temple is a blissful combination of architecture, sculpture and crafts, sequential space abounding in variety, immaculacy of white all over, continuing halls covered by high-raised domical ceilings full of extremely minute carvings, that reminds us of a sense of the "Pure Land." The beauty of this temple is indeed beyond description .A small shrine dedicated to Prashvanath faces the main temple. It has a black image of the tirthankara in the inner sanctum. There are images of Adinath in the north west, Parshvanath in the north east, Ajitnath in the south-east and Lord Mahavira Swami in the south west.
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.

Architecture And Structural of Jain Temple in Ranakpur



Ranakpur Jain Temple is actually part of a complex with four temples.
The main temple is called the Chaumukha Mandir and is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Adinath and is shaped like a "Nalinigulm Vimana" or "Heavenly Aircraft".
The temple is built on a rectangular fortified platform with a large 48,000 sq ft basement. There are four entrances facing each of the the cardinal directions to enter the sanctum. The main sanctum for Lord Adinath is encircled by several smaller shrines, 24 pillared halls and 80 domes.


How to Reach Jain Temple Ranakpur




By Road : There are frequent express buses from Udaipur that take around three hours to reach Ranakpur. State transport corporation buses as well as private buses connect Udaipur to other cities in the region. Major destinations that are connected to Udaipur are Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota/Bundi, Jodhpur, Chittaurgarh, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Mumbai, Delhi, Indore, and Mt Abu.

By Rail: The nearest major railway station is Udaipur. There are trains for Delhi, Chittaurgarh, Ajmer, and Jaipur from this station. The nearest railway station from Ranakpur is Phalna but most of the tourists prefer going to Udaipur to catch a train as it offers more choice.


By Air: The nearest airport is Udaipur 60 km south of Ranakpur. There are regular flights to Delhi, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Jodhpur, and Mumbai from Udaipur.



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