Ranakpur lies in a wooded valley of the Aravalli hills in Pali district, Rajasthan, and holds one of the finest Jain temples ever built. The main shrine is the Chaumukha, the “four-faced” temple, dedicated to Adinatha, the first Tirthankara. Four images of him face the four directions, so that a worshipper from any side sees him.
It is a Shvetambara tirth and an active place of worship, and it is also among the most visited monuments in Rajasthan.
What makes it remarkable
The temple is built of pale marble and rises through several storeys, with domes, balconies and many halls. The count most often given is about 1,444 pillars, and the common remark is that no two carry the same design. That is a traditional statement, and even without the count the interior is a forest of carved columns. The ceilings are carved in concentric rings and flowers, and the effect of light moving across the marble through the day is a large part of what visitors remember.
History where scholars agree
The temple is dated to the fifteenth century, and the year 1439 is the one most often given for its consecration. It was built by Dharna Shah, a Jain merchant who served at the court of Rana Kumbha of Mewar, and the town takes its name from the Rana, who granted the land. Tradition says that the plan came from a dream, and names the architect as Deepaka, but the dream is a story and the architect’s name rests on later accounts.
Merchants and ministers, not kings, paid for the temples at Ranakpur, Dilwara and Palitana, which is one of the more remarkable facts of Jain history. The history page treats this pattern at more length.
Two smaller Jain temples stand nearby, dedicated to Parshvanatha and Neminatha, and a sun temple of another tradition lies close to the Jain complex.
How to reach it
- Nearest airport: Udaipur, roughly two hours by road.
- Nearest railway station: Falna, on the Ahmedabad to Delhi line, with Sadri and Marwar Junction as other options. A taxi ride follows.
- The temple stands in a quiet valley, and dharamshalas and a bhojanshala for pilgrims are close by.
Etiquette
- Dress modestly. Shoulders and knees should be covered.
- Leather items, including belts and wallets, are not taken inside.
- Photography inside the temple is restricted, and the rules differ between worshippers and visitors. Ask at the entrance.
- Keep your voice low. This is a living place of worship, and the quiet is part of it.
- Do not touch the carvings. Centuries of hands, and now of crowds, wear down the marble.
- Some temples keep customs about who may enter during the monthly cycle. You will see these written at the entrance, and the notice is the rule.
- Meals in the bhojanshala are cooked within Jain rules, as described on the recipes page.
We have not given timings or fees. Visiting arrangements for worshippers and for other visitors differ, and the trust sets them.
Related
- Tirth guides: eight pilgrim places
- Rishabhanatha: the first Tirthankara
- Dilwara
- Palitana
- Jain history: temples and patrons
Frequently asked questions
↳ Why is it called the Chaumukha temple?
Chaumukha means four-faced. The sanctum holds four images of Adinatha, one facing each direction.
↳ Who built the Ranakpur temple?
Dharna Shah, a Jain merchant at the court of Rana Kumbha of Mewar, who is recorded as the patron. The traditional date of its consecration is 1439.
↳ Are there really 1,444 pillars?
That is the figure usually given, and it is a traditional count. The remark that no two are alike is also traditional. What is certain is that the interior holds a very large number of carved columns.
↳ Can non-Jains visit?
Yes. Visitors of every background are welcome within the rules set by the trust, which differ for worshippers and sightseers.