Ranakpur Rajasthan
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.
History
Ranakpur is named after Rana Kumbha whom Dharna Sah, a Jain businessman, 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 holiest places of the Jain community and exceptional in beauty. Situated at a distance of around 60 km from Udaipur, these temples were constructed in the AD 1439.
Location
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.
Temples Of Ranakpur
1. Kumbhalgarh
Kumbhalgarh is a historical site around 30 km northeast of Ranakpur. It is the most important fort in the Mewar region after Chittaurgarh. The other important place to visit in Kumbhalgarh is a wildlife sanctuary known for its wolves.
2. 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.
3. 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.
Another nearby place, Ghanerao, abounds in Hindu temples. Most notable is the temple of Gajanand with a life-size statue of the goddesses Riddhi and Siddhi. The statue in the main shrine is guarded by idols of Hanuman and Bhairon on either side.
4. Muchhal Mahavir temple
The Muchhal Mahavir temple is situated about five km from Ghanerao in the Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary. Its distinctive feature is the statue of Lord Mahavira with a mustache. The two statues of elephants guarding the gateways are splendid examples of temple decoration. In the vicinity are the Garasia tribal villages famous for their colorful costumes.
Getting There
By Air
Udaipur, at a distance of 60 km Ranakpur offers the nearest airport, the Dabok Airport. Flights from Udaipur connect to Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mumbai and Aurangabad.
By Train
Udaipur also happens to be the most convenient railhead from Ranakpur though the nearest one lies at Phalna. Trains from Udaipur connect to Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer and Chittaurgarh
By Road
By road too Ranakpur is well connected to Udaipur which in turn connects it to various other tourist places within and outside Rajasthan. Prominent amongst these destination are Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota/Bundi, Jodhpur, Chittorgarh, Ahmedabad, Varodara, Mumbai, Delhi, Indore, and Mt Abu. A network of buses connect Ranakpur to nearby places apart from the four deluxe buses that run to and from Udaipur.
