Ranakpur – a quiet town in the Pali locale of Rajasthan is a devout spot for the Jains. Being a significant spot for the journey, Ranakpur is home to probably the most wonderful and respected temples of western India. It is a remote valley in the Aravalli Ranges, located 96 km from the popular city of Udaipur. The Sun Temple, otherwise called the Surya Narayan Temple, devoted to Lord Sun, is very prevalent among the visitors visiting Ranakpur. Voyagers coming to Ranakpur frequently visit Sadri, which is a prevalent journey focal point of the Jain people group. Another unmistakable fascination of the spot is the Muchhal Mahavir Temple, which is devoted to the Hindu Lord Shiva. The town of Ghanerao itself has numerous Hindu temples. The Muchhal Mahavir Temple and the Gajanand Temple are the most prominent among the 11 Jain temples found in the area. The town of Narlai, situated at a distance of 6 km from Ranakpur, is additionally known for the Hindu and Jain temples of the region. Another conspicuous fascination of the area is the recorded site, named Kumbhalgarh. Winters are viewed as the best time for arranging treks to Ranakpur. The months from October - February is a decent time for a visit when the atmosphere is wonderful and the feeling is exquisite. The spot exhibits a one of a kind display of verdant greenery and spouting streams, a strange sight in Rajasthan.
Ranakpur Jain Temple
The wooded valley of the Aravalli Hills has something great to offer for the divinity seekers and that is none other than the 15th century Ranakpur temple complex, normally considered as the Adinath Temple. The grand scale and sheer architectural complexity of the white marble temple distinguish it as perhaps the single most impressive example of Western Indian temple architecture.
Each of the temple's 1,444 pillars is carved with different patterns of floral motifs, and the play of light and shadow on the pillars, as the sun moves from east to west each day, is one of the glories of this monument. Equally stunning is the superb filigree carving on the concentric ceiling pendants, and the exuberant grace of the goddesses who form the support brackets. On one of the columns facing the sanctum, a carved panel with two figures on it depicts Dharna Shah, the builder of the temple, who was a minister of the Maharana of Mewar, and his architect, Depa.
How to Reach Ranakpur
By Air : Udaipur is the closest airport. It's approximately 3 hrs long journey from the airport.
By Rail : Udaipur is the closest railway station.
By Bus : The road from Udaipur through Iswal, Gogunda and Saira is usually well-maintained.
Population
There are around 3000 people living in Ranakpur.
Climate And Weather
Climatic conditions in Ranakpur are not at all similar to other parts of Rajasthan. This is because, it experiences tropical type of climate throughout the year. The summertime here is quite hot and thus, the temperature remains at around 40-45 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, the weather conditions during the wintertime are colder than the normal climate with the temperature during this time being between 10-20 degrees Celsius. The monsoons here make the city look even more beautiful, however the city does not receive much rainfall and just around 55 cm.
Getting Around Ranakpur
In order to explore Ranakpur, one needs to cover the distances by walk. This is because, there are no transportation facilities available there for the purpose of journeying within the city. However, public transportation is available for connecting Ranakpur with other cities.
Where to stay in Ranakpur
Despite of being a small city, there are many accommodation options available for the tourists here. The range starts well from the budgeted ones till the four star heritage properties. Thus, travellers can choose from the wide choices as per their preferences and budget.