RANAKPUR
Location: 60-km North Of Udaipur, Rajasthan
Tourist Attractions: Desuri, Ghanerao Temples
Best time To Visit: September-March
The tranquil pilgrimage town of the Jains renowned for some marvelously carved Jain temples in amber stone, Ranakpur is one of the five holy places of the Jain community. 60-km from Udaipur; these temples were built in the 15th century AD during the reign of Rana Kumbha and are enclosed within a wall. The central 'Chaumukha' or four-faced temple is dedicated to the venerated Tirthankara Rishabhji. Open on all four sides, it enshrines the four-faced image of Adinath. The temple is an astounding creation with 29 halls and 1,444 pillars - all distinctly carved.
Images of 24 tirthankaras are carved on the 'mandaps' or porticos in a corridor around the shrine with each 'mandap' having a spire adorned with little bells on the top. The gentle breeze wafting through the corridors move the bells creating celestial music all around the complex. Rising in three storeys, the temple has four small shrines with 80 spires supported by 420 columns.
Two temples, dedicated to the Jain saints - Parsvanath and Neminath, face the main temple. The temples have beautiful carvings similar to that of Khajuraho. Another temple worth visiting the nearby Sun Temple, and 8th century AD temple dedicated to the Sun god. The temple has polygonal walls, richly embellished with carvings of warriors, horses and solar deities riding splendid chariots.

EXCURSIONS

 Sadra (8 km): Famous for beautiful temples and an old Dargah of Khudabaksh Baba. The Varahavtar Temple and the Chintamani Parsvanath Jain Temple is the most ancient of the temples situated here.

Desuri (16 km): Three Jain temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman and Navi Mata are among some noteworthy temples at Desuri. A temple dedicated to Parsurama Mahadeo, nestled in the hills, is also closely. It is situated in the Kumbhalgarh tehsil of Rajsamand.

Ghanerao: Ghanerao abounds in Jain and Hindu temples. Most notable is the temple of Gajanand with a life-size statue of the goddesses Ridhi and Sidhi. Hanuman and Bhairon guard the statue on either side.

Narlai (6 km): Lying at the base of a hillock, on the top of which is a colossal statue of an elephant, Narlai has many Hindu and Jain temples. The temple of Adinath is an ancient one. The outer 'mandap' of the temple has beautiful mural paintings on its ceiling, which still retain their original splendor.

Muchhal Mahaveer: This Jain temple is situated about 5 kms from Ghanerao in the Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary. Its distinctive feature is the statue of Lord Mahavira with a moustache. The two statues of elephants guarding the gateways are splendid examples of architecture. In the vicinity are the Garasia tribal villages famous for their colorful costumes.

Falna (35 km): The railhead for Ranakpur Falna has some beautiful temples too.

FORTS

Kumbhalgarh: The imposing fort a principal bastion of Mewar after Chittorgarh. Have some interesting Jain temples.

WILDLIFE

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary: The 586-sq. kms sanctuary supports a rich variety of wildlife. Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Four-Horned Antelope and scientifically bred Crocodiles in the lake, are the major attractions.

HOW TO GET THERE

Air: Udaipur 80-kms away is the nearest airport.
Rail: Falna 35-kms is the nearest railhead on the Delhi-Ahmedabad sector.
Road: A network of bus services joins Ranakpur with many nearby places.

PLACES TO STAY

RTDC Hotel Shilpi and Dharamshalas at Ranakpur provide comfortable accommodations for tourists.

NEARBY CITIES

Sadra: 8-km
Desuri:16-km
Falna:35-km
Narlai:6-km
Udaipur:60-km

GENERAL INFORMATION

MEANING: "We bow to Maruti, Sri Hanuman, who stands with his palms folded above his forehead, with a torrent of tears flowing down his eyes wherever the Names of Lord Rama are sung".
SRI HANUMAN is worshipped throughout India-either alone or together with Sri Rama. Every temple of Lord Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman is the Avatars of Lord Shiva. He was born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. His other names are Pavanasuta, Marutsuta Pavankumar, Bajrangabali and Mahavira.
He is the living embodiment of Ram-Nam. He was an ideal selfless worker, a true Karma Yogi who worked desirelessly and dynamically. He was a great devotee and an exceptional Brahmachari or celibate. He served Lord Rama with pure love and devotion without expecting any fruit in return. He lived to serve Rama. He was humble, brave and wise. He possessed all the divine virtues. He did what others could not do-crossing the ocean by uttering Ram-Nam, burning the city of Lanka, bringing the sanjeevini herb and restoring Lakshmana to life again. He brought both Sri Rama and Lakshmana from the nether world after killing Ahiravana.
He had devotion, power, knowledge, spirit of selfless service, power of celibacy and desirelessness. He never boasted of his bravery and intelligence.
He said to Ravana, "I am a humble messenger of Sri Rama. I have come here to serve Rama, to do His work. By the command of Lord Rama, I have come here. I am fearless by the Grace of Lord Rama. I am not afraid of death. I welcome it, if it comes while I am serving Lord Rama."
Mark here how humble Hanuman was! How very devoted he was to Lord Rama! He never said, "I am the brave Hanuman. I can do anything and everything."
Lord Rama Himself said to Sri Hanuman, "I am greatly indebted to you, O mighty hero! You did marvellous superhuman deeds. You did not want anything in return. Sugriva has his kingdom restored to him. Angada has been made the crown prince. Vibhishana has become king of Lanka. But you-you has not asked for anything at any time. You threw away the precious garland of pearls given to you by Sita. How can I repay your debts? I will always remain indebted to you. I give you the boon that you will live forever. All will honour and worship you like Myself Your murti will be placed at the door of my temple and you will be worshipped and honoured first Whenever My stories are recited or glories sung, your glory will be sung before mine. You shall be able to do all that even I cannot do!"
Thus did Lord Rama praise Hanuman when the latter returned to Rama after finding out Sita in Lanka. Hanuman was not a bit elated. He fell down at the Lotus Feet of Lord Rama.
Lord Rama asked him, "O mighty hero! How did you cross the ocean?"
Hanuman humbly replied, "By the power and glory of Thy Name, my Lord!"
Again the Lord asked, "How did you burn Lanka? How did you save yourself?"
And Hanuman replied, "By Thy Grace, my Lord!"
What humility Sri Hanuman embodied!
There are many that want wealth in return for their services. Some do not want wealth, but they cannot resist name and fame. Others do not want my of these, but they want approbation or thanks. Still others want nothing, but they boast of their deeds. Hanuman was above all these. That is why he is recognized as an ideal Karma Yogi, an unsurpassed adept in Bhakti. His life is full of object lessons. Everyone should try his level best to follow the noble example of Hanuman.
His birthday falls on Chaitra Shukla Purnima (the March-April full moon day).
On this holy day, worship Sri Hanuman. Fast on this day. Read the Hanuman Chalisa. Spend the whole day in Japa of Ram-Nam. Sri Hanuman will be highly pleased and bless you with success in all undertakings.Glory to Hanuman! Glory to His Lord, Sri Rama