About Ranakpur
Ranakpur is a must visit place situated in the picturesque great Aravalli valley region of Rajasthan state. Ranakpur is a village located in the Desuri tehsil near Sadri town in the Pali district. Ranakpur village is very captivating, is located between Jodhpur and Udaipur, and derives its name after Rana Kumbha who was the most open minded and gifted monarch.
The Ranakpur Jain temple is world famous and is one of the most important pilgrim places of the Jain community. This temple was built of white limestone and elaborately adorned with intricate sculptures during the 15th century. There are images of all the 24 tirthankaras are carved on the porticoes in corridor around the shrine. The temple is a unique mix of the Hindu and Jain influence. The most outstanding feature of this temple is its infinite pillars. These pillars are places in such a way that none of them obstructs the view of the image of God.
There is also a very old Sun temple in front of the Jain temple. This temple is adorned with polygonal wall richly embellished with beautiful carvings of warriors, horses and solar deities. The deities are riding splendid chariots the vehicle of the sun god. Sun god is considered as the god of prosperity according to mythology and a shining destiny in this world.
Ranakpur is also famous for its wildlife sanctuary. Here you can enjoy the beauty of the Aravalli ranges and encounter the wildlife. There are rare birds, wild pigs, jackals, panthers and other wild animals in the sanctuary.