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Ranakpur is
one of the most important pilgrimage sites of Jainism. Ranakpur is one
of the five holy places of the Jain community, nesting in a tranquil
valley deep in the Aravalis. Ranakpur is known for its famous Jain
Temples.
The Ranakpur Jain Temple were built under the reign of Rana Kumbha in
the 15th century. Ranakpur Jain Temples is is one of the largest and
most important Jain temples in India.
The Rankpur Jain temples is one of the most beautiful Jain temple.
Each temple provides an insight into the rich temple architecture of
the medieval times. The most important temple is dedicated to
Rishabhji.An enormous basement of this temple covers 48,000 square
feet. The Rankpur Jain temples covers an area of 4500 square yards.It
is four faced and houses an idol of Adinath. Rising to three stories,
the
temple has four small shrines with 80 spires supported by 420 columns.
There are four subsidiary shrines, 24 pillared halls and in all 1444
columns. Each of the column are intricately carved and decorated with
most elaborate sculptures and figures, no two being alike. A special
effect is the amazing play of shadow, light and colours. As the sun
rays shift through the day in the temple the color of the pillars
changes from gold to pale blue. When the Mughal Emperor Akbar visited
this temple he was full of admiration and he had made an inscription
on one of the columns, which says, that no one ever will be allowed to
destroy this jewel of architecture. |
