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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 amongst the five holiest places of the Jain community and exceptional in beauty. These temples were constructed in the AD 1439. It is located in the mountain ranges of Pali district, 39 kms. away from the Phalna railway station. Ranakpur is reached after passing lush green valleys and streams and the heart capturing views drive away any fatigue of the journey. The Ranakpur Jain Temple were built during the reign of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. An enormous basement covers 48,000 sq. feet area. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared halls and eligibly domes supported by over four hundred columns. The total number of columns is 1,444 all of which are intricately carved no two being alike. The artistically carved nymphs playing the flute in various dance postures at a height of 45 feet are an engrossing sight. In the assembly hall, there are two big bells weighing 108 kgs. whose sound echoes in the entire complex.

Reaching Ranakpur
By Air
Nearest airport is Udaipur

By Bus
From Udaipur (98 km)

By Train
Ajmer to Mt. Abu route, 39 kms. from Phalna.
From Udaipur it takes 5 hours by bus.

TOURIST PLACES

JAIN TEMPLE

The Ranakpur Complex hold an exceptional beauty, which is well worth seeing, and makes for a convenient stop between Jodhpur and Udaipur. It is tucked away in remote and quite valley of the Aravalli Range, 90km from Udaipur.

The main temple is the Chaumukha Temple, or Four-Faced Temple, dedicated to Adinath, the first tirthankar ('Jain Teacher'). Built in 1439, this huge, superbly crafted and well-kept marble temple has 29 halls supported by 14 pillars - no two are alike. Within the complex are two other Jain temples (dedicated to Neminath and Parasnath) and,, a short distance away, a Sun Temple. Amba Mata Temple is 1 km from the main complex.

SADRI TEMPLE

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

GHANERAO TEMPLE

The small town of Ghanerao has a castle that has been converted into a hotel. A notable here, is the temple of Gajanand with a life-size statue of the goddesses Ridhi and Siddhi. The statue is guarded by Hanuman and Bhairon on either side. Mahavira Temple, a 10th century Jain Temple, is also worth going a visit.