"Ranakpur" is one of the five holy centres of the Jain community. Its archival temples still stand aloof, with Ranakpur dating back to 15th century A.D. One of the most prominent places is the central Chaumukha or four-faced edifice. It is dedicated to the venerated Tirthankaro Rishabdev. Open on all four sides, it enshrines the four-faced image of Adinath. Majestic 48,000 sq ft the temple has 29 halls and 1,444 pillars all distinctly carved.
Here the twenty-four Tirthankaras are revered and paid due homage with their images carved on the porticos in a corridor around the shrine. The atmosphere here turns transcended; with gentle breeze wafting through the corridors make the bells chime. The temple with three storeys has four small shrines with 80 spires supported by 420 columns. Two temples, similar to those of Khajuraho, here are dedicated to the Jam saints Parshvanath and Neminath. Another one worth visiting is the one dedicated to the sun god - Sun Temple built around the 8th Century A.D. |
