Ranakpur Jain Temple
The Ranakpur Jain Temple was built during the reign of the liberal and gifted Rajput 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 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 three other Jain temples in the same complex, including a temple of the Sun God, are all well worth a visit. One kilometer away from the temple complex is the temple of Amba Mata Sadri Sadri, eight km away, is famous for some beautiful temples and an old Dargah of Khudabaksh Baba. The Varahavtar temple and the Chintamani Parsvanath temple are the oldest of the temples situated here.
Temples at Desuri
Three temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman and Navi Mata are among some noteworthy temples at Desuri around 16 km from Ranakpur. An old mosque situated here is also worth a visit. A temple dedicated to Parsuram Mahadeo, nestled in the hills, is also close by. Ghanerao Ghanerao abounds in and Hindu temples. Most notable is the temple of Gajanand with a life-size statue of the goddesses Ridhi and Siddhi. The statue is guarded by Hanuman and Bhairon on either side. Narlai (6 km) Lying at the base of a hillock, on the top of which is a colossal statue of an elephant, Narlai has many Hindu and Jain Temples. The temple of Adinath is an ancient one. The outer ‘mandap, ’ of the temple has beautiful mural paintings on its ceiling which still retain their original splendor. Falna (35 km) The railhead for Ranakpur, Falna has some beautiful temples too. |