Ranakpur Jain Temple

Overview

The Ranakpur Jain Temple, dedicated to the first Tirthankara Adinatha, was built in the fifteenth century with the support of the Jain merchant Dharna Shah, under the patronage of the Mewar ruler Rana Kumbha. It stands in a quiet wooded valley in the Aravallis.

Its light marble halls are held up by 1,444 pillars, and it is often said that no two are carved alike. The pillars, ceilings and domes are covered in fine sculpture.

What to look for

• The forest of carved pillars, each with its own pattern
• The intricately carved domed ceilings
• The main shrine with its four-faced image of Adinatha

Visiting tips

• Non-Jain visitors are typically admitted only in the afternoon, so plan to arrive around midday or later; confirm timings locally.
• Dress modestly. Leather items and some other items are generally not allowed inside, so check at the gate.
• It is a convenient stop between Jodhpur, Kumbhalgarh and Udaipur.

Why visit with a private guide

A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Ranakpur Jain Temple, and fits the visit around the rest of your day.

More photographs

Nearby

The Blue City Jaswant Thada Mehrangarh Fort Umaid Bhawan