The tranquil pilgrimage town of the Jains
renowned for some marvelously carved Jain temples
in amber stone, Ranakpur is one of the five holy places
of the Jain community. 60-km from Udaipur; these temples
were built in the 15th century AD during the reign
of Rana Kumbha and are enclosed within a wall. The
central 'Chaumukha' or four-faced temple is dedicated
to the venerated Tirthankara Rishabhji. Open on all
four sides, it enshrines the four-faced image of Adinath.
The temple is an astounding creation with 29 halls
and 1,444 pillars - all distinctly carved.
Images of 24 tirthankaras are carved on the 'mandaps'
or porticos in a corridor around the shrine with each
'mandap' having a spire adorned with little bells
on the top. The gentle breeze wafting through the
corridors move the bells creating celestial music
all around the complex. Rising in three storeys, the
temple has four small shrines with 80 spires supported
by 420 columns.
Two temples, dedicated to the Jain saints - Parsvanath
and Neminath, face the main temple. The temples have
beautiful carvings similar to that of Khajuraho. Another
temple worth visiting the nearby Sun Temple, an 8th
century AD temple dedicated to the Sun god. The temple
has polygonal walls, richly embellished with carvings
of warriors, horses and solar deities riding splendid
chariots.
|
