It is an incredible complex comprising of group of temples supported by 1444 pillars. The interiors are completely covered with intricate knotted carvings on marble. It is one of India’s largest and most important masterpiece of Jain temples. It is dedicated to Lord Tirthankara Adinath.
Location
Ranakpur temple in just 55 KM from Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Udaipur was capital of Mewar kingdom and established by Udai Singh II, father of Rana Pratap. The nearest airport is Maharana Pratap airport 25 KM from Udaipur and is 330 KM from Jaipur. It is well connected by road and rail from all cities of India.
We can stay in Udaipur and one day we can reserve for trip to Haldighati, Kumbhalgarh fort and Ranakpur temple to return by 9 PM to Udaipur same day.
Opening time
It opens at 6 AM and closes at 5 PM. Photos are allowed but no selfies. Till 6 PM also it is open but photography is not allowed after 5 PM. Please make sure that you reach temple latest by 5 PM.
Our itinerary in Udaipur
We hired a RTDC taxi for 2nd day trip to Haldighati, Kumbhalgarh fort and Ranakpur. We missed Nathdwara temple as same day we can not cover it.
Where to stay in Udaipur
We booked online for RTDC hotel Kajri. You can book online at link- RTDC hotel booking. This is an average hotel and principally I stay in government run hotels even if they are average. Restaurant is good, breakfast is complimentary always – poori bhaji, aloo-paratha, phoha, bread pakoda etc. South dishes are not available here.
Time needed to see
1 hour.
About Ranakpur temple
It is an incredible complex comprising of group of temples supported by 1444 pillars. The interiors are completely covered with intricate knotted carvings on marble. It is one of India’s largest and most important masterpiece of Jain temples. It is dedicated to Lord Adinath. Its construction is well documented in a 1436 AD copper-plate record, inscriptions in the temple and a Sanskrit text Soma-Saubhagya Kavya. Its construction was inspired by the dream of a celestial vehicle by Dharna Shah a Jain merchant. He built it under the patronage of Rana Kumbha, then ruler of Mewar.
Whilst Dilwara temples are known for their sculptural work, this temple is famous for its intricate carvings and unique architecture.
The temple building is spread in about 3-4 acres I guess. It is in mid of forest. There are two routes to this temple from Kumbhalgarh fort . Shortcut road is not good enough and with so many curves.
I saw these type of intricate and netted carvings and ornate pillars and roof in Jaisalmer fort Jain temple as well.
The temple has basement as well but now the basement is closed for visitors.
There is a canteen in the premises which serves food to all visitors at very nominal price. I also took this as prasad. They served two vegetables, rice, chapati, ghee, daal, papar and sweet kheer. They close this canteen by 5.30 PM.
Epilogue
Ranakpur is in list of every tourist who visits Rajasthan. Built 500 years ago this is top masterpiece of architecture, carvings in every inch of walls and roof of huge temple is an unbelievable masterpiece. This temple was safe from Mughal invaders as Rana had already accepted the sovereignty of Mughals.
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