Renowned for some marvellously carved Jain temples in amber stone ranakpur is one of the five holy places of the jain community, 96km from Udaipur, these temples were created in the 15th century A.D. during the regin of Rana Kumbha and are enclosed within a wall. The central chaumukha or four faced temple is dedicated to the venerated trithankara Rishabhji. Open on all four sides it enshrines the four faced image of Adinath. Sprawling over 48,000 sq.feet the temple is an astounding creation with 29 halls and 1,444 pillars-all distinctly carved.

Images of 24 tirthnkars are carved on the `mandaps` or porticoes in a corridor around the shrine with each mandap having a `shikhar` or spripe adorned the shrine with each mandap on the top. The gentle breeze wafting through the corridor move the bell creating celestial music all around the complex. Rising in three storeys, the temple has four small shrines with 80 spries supported by 420 columns.

Two temples dedicated to the Jain saints-parvanath and Neminath, face the main temple. The temple have beautiful carvings simillar to that of Khajuraho.

Another temple worth visiting is the nearby sun temples an 8th century A.D. temple Didicated to the sun god. The temple has polygonal walls, richly embellised with carvings of worriors, horses and solar deities riding splendid chariots.


Places to See in Ranakpur

Sadri (8km) : Famous for some beautiful temples and an old Dargh of Khudabaksh Baba. The Varahavtar temple and the Chinitamani Parsvanath Jain temples are the most ancient of the temples situated here.

Desuri (16km) : Three jain temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord hanuman and Navi Mata are among some noteworthy temples at Desuri, an old mosque situated here is also worth a visit. A temple dedicated to Parsuram Mahadeo, nestled in the hills, is also close by. It is situated in the hills, is also close by. It is situated in the kumbhalgarh tehsil of Rajasthan.

Ghanerao : Ghanerao a bounds in Jain and Hindu temples of Gajanand with a life-size statue of the goddesses Ridhi and Sidhi the statue is guarded by Hamnuman and Bhairon on either on side.

Narlai (6km) : lying at the bas4 of a jillock on the top of the which is a classical statue of an elephant narlai has many Hindu and jain temples The temple of Adinath is an anicient one. The outer mandap of the temple has beautiful mural painting on its celling which still retain their original splendour.

Muchhal Mahaveer : This jain temple is situated about 5km from Ghanero in the kumbhalgarh Sancyuary. Its distinctive features is the statue of Lord Mahavira with a moustache. The two statues of elephants guarding the gateway are splendid example of architecture in the vicinity are the garasia tribal villages famous for their colourful too.
 

Kumbhalgarh : The imposing fort-a principal bastion of mewar after Chittaurgarh has some interesting jain temples.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary : The 586sqkm sanctuary supports a rich variety of wildlife panther, sloth bear, wild boar, four horned antelop and are the major attraction.

How To Go There :

Air : Udaipur 80km is the nearest airport. Rail : Falna 35 km is the nearest railhead on the Delhi-Ahmedabad sector.
Road : A network of bus services joins rankpur with many nearby places.