Ranakpur is located about 56 miles north of
Udaipur and in any case a must, if you are in this region. The Jains are
a sect of Hindus and among other things know for their asceticism and absolute
nonviolence. The Ranakpur Jain Temple were built under the reign of 
monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century and is with a 4,500 square yards
basement the largest Jain temple in India. Entering the temple we were
overwhelmed by the the lavish abundance of marvellous stonemason
works on white marble. There are four subsidiary shrines, 24 pillared halls
and all in all 1444 columns each from one piece and all rich decorated
with most elaborate sculptures and filigrees, including the domes. The
creativity and beauty of those artistic works is unimaginable and the variety
is such, that no two of the 1444 columns are alike! A special effect
is the amazing play of shadow, light and colours. As the light shifts through
the temple over the day the columns colour from white over bluish to gold
... When the mogul emperor Akbar visited this temple he was full of admiration
that he had made an inscription on one of the columns, which says,
that no one ever will be allowed to destroy this jewel of architecture. |
