Ranakpur in
Rajasthan is named after Rana Kumbha whom Dharna Sah, a Jain
businessman, approached when he had the vision of his great
temple to ask for the land for its construction. Renowned 
for
some marvelously carved Jain temples in amber stone,
Ranakpur is one of the five holiest places of the Jain
community and exceptional in beauty. Situated at a distance
of around 60 km from Udaipur, these temples were constructed
in the AD 1439.
Ranakpur is
one of the five most important pilgrimage sites of Jainism.
It is home to an exceptionally beautiful temple complex.
Built in the reign of one of the liberal and gifted monarchs
Rana Kumbha, these temples are a unique example of Jain
ecclesiastical architecture. The main Jain temple is
Chaumukha or Four Faced temple dedicated to Adinath and
consists of 29 halls and 426 pillars full of sculptured
decoration. No two pillars are alike here.
Ranakpur is
situated around 90 km north of Udaipur in Pali district , it
is well connected through a road network to other places in
the region
Kumbhalgarh
is a historical site around 30 km northeast of Ranakpur. It
is the most important fort in the Mewar region after
Chittaurgarh. The other important place to visit in
Kumbhalgarh is a wildlife sanctuary known for its wolves.
Sadri, eight
km away, is famous for some beautiful temples and an old
dargah of Khudabaksh Baba. The Varahavtar temple and the
Chintamani Parsvanath temple are the oldest of the temples
situated here.
Around
the Clity of Ranakpur
Three
temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, 
Lord
Hanuman and Navi Mata are among some noteworthy temples at
Desuri around 16 km from Ranakpur. An old mosque situated
here is also worth a visit. A temple dedicated to Parsuram
Mahadeo, nestled in the hills, is also close by.
Another
nearby place, Ghanerao, abounds in Hindu temples. Most
notable is the temple of Gajanand with a life-size statue of
the goddesses Riddhi and Siddhi. The statue in the main
shrine is guarded by idols of Hanuman and Bhairon on either
side.
The Muchhal
Mahavir temple is situated about five km from Ghanerao in
the Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary. Its distinctive feature is the
statue of Lord Mahavira with a mustache. The two statues of
elephants guarding the gateways are splendid examples of
temple decoration. In the vicinity are the Garasia tribal
villages famous for their colorful costumes.
