Ranakpur

The Jain temples of Ranakpur are situated in the lovely valley in the Arivalli Ranges. 9 kms from Mount Abu, 98 kms from Udaipur, 32 kms from Falna Rly junction.

Ranakpur is a major pilligrimate center in Rajasthan. Specially for Jain devotes. The very name is synonymos with temple architecture that is at once lofty in scope and richlyaesthetic in imagination. Though a well known pilligrimage center, It is not a township and there is little in Ranakpur besides the famous temple and a few residences of people who serve at the temple. History dates the large cluster of Jain temples to the 15th century when Udaipur was held by Maharana Kumbha. These temples were built in 1439 – 1496 AD. With the help and drinking the of reign of Maharana Kumbha by a powerful Jain merchant Dharan Shah. It took 55 years for the work to be completed. The most significant of the Ranakpur temples is the CHAUMUKHA(FOUR FACED) temple of the first Thirthankar Lord Rishabhnathji or Adinathji.There are two Jain temples a Sun Temples in front of the Chaumukha temple. The Chaumukha temple dedicated to Adinath the first Jain Thirthankar (sant), this three – storey temples is the most complex and extensive in design. It has 29 halls 80 domes and 1444 pillors. What is intresting here is the fact that no pollorsl are a like. Each of these pillars is covered with the most intricate carnival.

Other Temples
Out side the Chaumukha temple are two minor shrines dedicated to the Jain Thirthankar Neminath and Parsvanthi. Both are equally sacred to the sages as denoted by their very nomenclature. Nearby is a surya temple dedicated to the sun and a palace of piligrimage for Hindus. A kilometers away is Ambranta temple.