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. |
