One Of The New Seven Wonders Of India, Ranakpur Temple

We hired a taxi to reach Ranakpur Temple which was at a distance of about 50 KM from our Club

Mahindra Resort at Kumbhalgarh. 

This area is well spread on Aravali Hills with wild life. We had to ascend a hill at 4000 ft level before descending all the way for Four miles on a Crooked Road just a copied but bigger version of San Francisco Crooked Street. This road has been recently tarred a few months back and is a lot smoother than earlier 'Kutcha Road'. The route is full of monkeys on either side of the road, and the local Administration has strict instruction not to stop the vehicle or provoke them.

Ranakpur Temples are acclaimed world-wide for their intricate and superb architectural style. These temples form one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jains. 

Located in village of Ranakpur near Sadri town in the Pali district of Rajasthan, Ranakpur temple lies at a distance of 95 kms in the north of Udaipur city. The temple is easily accessible from the city of Udaipur as regular buses are easily available.

The temple is said to have been built by Seth Dharna Shah (a Jain businessman) with the aid of Rana Kumbha, who ruled Mewar in the 15th century. Ranakpur got its name after him. The principal  architect of this temple was Depa. 

This temple is wholly constructed in light colored marble and comprises a basement covering an area of 48000 sq feet. The temple has 80 domes, 29 halls, and a pavilion with 1444 exquisitely carved pillars that support the temple. Each pillar is carved differently and is unique in itself. The pillars are also engraved withe figures of dancing goddesses.

 

 

  

The temple is a masterpiece of architecture and boasts of not less than four additional shrines. The upper and lower parts of the domes are linked by brackets that have deities' sculptures. Above all, you would be amazed to see at a height of 45 feet engraved nymphs playing the flute in various dance postures. 

Apart from this, another stunning act about these columns is that they change their color from golden to pale blue after every hour during the day. Conceivably, it is due to the intricacy of the structure that the temple took approximately 65 years to complete.

Ranakpur Temple was also nominated amongst the top 7 wonders, while deciding for new Seven Wonders of the World. However, number of wonders cannot be increased and some or the other would come amongst the top seven, still Ranakpur Temple is undoubtedly a wonder. If you are on a trip to Udaipur, don't miss this artistic temple that would become an unforgettable part of your beautiful memories.

It is Must visit Temple. In Jainism, pilgrimage to Ranakpur Temples is ultimate without which other pilgrimages do not get accomplished.