Jain Temples In Aravali 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.

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.

Climate

The climate of Ranakpur is tropical with the mercury climbing up to a maximum of around 42°C and a minimum of around 22°C. Winters are only a little colder with a maximum of around 20°C and a minimum of around 11°C. The annual total rainfall is around 55 centimeters. Winter months (October-March) are the best for visiting this place.

The Past

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 1439 AD.

Sites to Visit

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.

Sites Nearby

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.

Sadri, 8 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.

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.

The Muchhal Mahavir temple is situated about 5 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.

Where to Stay

There are many places in Ranakpur that provide quality accommodation. The costs can range from an amount in four figures for the best double-bedded rooms to a donation of an amount one’s own discretion in a dharmshala. Heritage hotels are the best bet in this region, if one is interested in enjoying the royal hospitality and charm of the bygone era. Facilities in the major hotels are good and worth the money spent.

How to Reach

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

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.

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, Indur, and Mt Abu.

Informaton:-

Money exchange and banking facilities are available in Ranakpur. Otherwise one can use Udaipur as a base to avail all the necessary tourist facilities. STD/ISD facilities are available.

As Ranakpur is a religious place, one must take care that the religious sentiments of the devotees are not hurt. One should inquire about the local customs and practices before indulging in activities like drinking, gambling, or eating non-vegetarian food.

A Tourist Information Bureau of the Government of Rajasthan is situated at Fateh Memorial Suraj Pole in Udaipur and tourists should get all the necessary information there.

Architecture of Taj Mahal

THE ARCHITECTURE OF TAJ MAHAL

Historians, architects, poets and travelers from all over the world have praised the architecture of the Taj Mahal. Built of white marble brought from Makrana in Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal appears different at different times of day and during the changing seasons. The white marble reflects the color of the sky, and the rays of the sun give it an almost ethereal appearance. The sight of the Taj Mahal on a full moon night is an enchanting experience. When seen from Agra Fort across the Yamuna River on a foggy morning, the Taj Mahal appears like a fairytale castle floating on a soft carpet of air.

The Taj Mahal is part of a complex of structures. These structures include the Darwaza or main gateway, the Bageecha or garden, the Masjid or mosque, the Naqqar Khaana or guest house and the Rauza or mausoleum. The entrance to the complex is through the grand gateway. The gateway is inscribed with Islamic calligraphy and floral decorations. As you enter the gateway, its high arch frames the vista before you. A path with green lawns on either side leads to the raised platform on which the Taj Mahal is situated. The approach to the Taj Mahal, with intersecting paths and waterways is called the Charbagh.

The Taj Mahal is situated on a raised platform that is over 6 meters high. The actual tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are in the basement below this platform. The main building surmounted by a curving dome is over 60 meters long on each side. The dome rises to a height of over 60 meters at its pinnacle. The platform covers an area of almost 94 sq meters. A tall minaret of over 40 meters reaches up to the sky at each corner of the platform. On either side of the Taj Mahal there is a red sandstone building - a mosque to the west and a guesthouse to the east. The fountains, waterways, formal garden and the river Yamuna flowing in the background add to the overall effect. The overall symmetry of the Taj Mahal complex makes it an aesthetically perfect sight.

The architecture of the Taj Mahal is enhanced by delicate inlay work. The interiors of the Taj Mahal are decorated with inlay work known as pietra dura. Semi precious stones such as jasper, jade, turquoise, lapis lazuli and sapphire, were used in these decorative devices, many of which can still be seen. These decorative elements include inscriptions from the Quran, geometrical designs and graceful depictions of flowers and plants. The inlay work has been carried out with great skill, creating a seamless and smooth surface with no visible joints. The pristine white marble of the Taj Mahal contrasts with the colors of the inlaid stones creating a beautiful and majestic effect.

The beautiful proportions of each element of the complete complex, their exquisitely decorated interiors, the brilliance of the carving in the latticed screens that surround the tomb and the setting of the Taj Mahal add up to the sublime experience that is a glimpse of the Taj Mahal. The architecture of the Taj Mahal is considered the most spectacular example of Mughal architecture in India.

TRIVIA

The Taj Mahal is a monument with a rich and colorful history. An immortal love story inspired the Taj Mahal and there’s lots more------Taj Mahal trivia and interesting details about this wondrous monument.

1. It is said that Shah Jahan wanted to build an equally grand tomb for himself on the other bank of the River Yamuna in Agra. His mausoleum would be made in black marble and the two monuments would complement each other in their design.

2. Mumtaz Mahal means, “Exalted one of the Palace.” This was what Shah Jahan called her. Her actual name was Arjumand Banu Begum.

3/ The term Taj Mahal is possible a contraction of the Empress’s name and means “Crown of the Palace”

4. Shah Jahan was known as Khurram before he ascended to the Mughal Throne.

5. Mumtaz Mahal was Shah Jahan’s second wife, but was his favorite.

6. Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan had 14 children

7. 20,000 laborers worked for 22 years to build the Taj Mahal.

8. 1000 elephants were used to transport the materials required for the construction of the Taj Mahal.

9. The Taj Mahal is said to have been built at a cost of 32 million rupees.

10. The white marble used to construct the Taj Mahal, was brought from Makrana in Rajasthan India.

11. 28 different kinds of semi-precious stones were used in the inlay work in the Taj Mahal.

12. These included Turquoise from Tibet, Sapphires from Sri Lanka and Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan.

13. The inlay work on the inner walls of the Taj Mahal is called pietra dura, which refers to the embedding of hard or durable stones within soft stones for decorative effect.

14. It is said that Shah Jahan wanted to ensure that his master craftsmen would not build anything as beautiful again and had their hands amputated or eyes put out, after the completion of the Taj Mahal.

15 The Taj mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in 1983, and described as “The jewel of Muslim art in India”

Today, the Taj Mahal in Agra India stands as a symbol of eternal love, which continues to mesmerize tourists from around the world.