Ranakpur Temple

The small village of Ranakpur, a two-hour drive from Udaipur, is the site one of the most exquisite Jain temples in all of India. Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes non-violence as its primary tenet and nearly five million Jains live in India today. Jain temples across India are often celebrated for their architecture, but the three-story Jain temple at Ranakpur is possibly the most stunning and memorable of them all. Built from 1439 to 1458, the temple features 29 halls, which are supported by 1,444 carved marble pillars, and no two of them are the same. The temple is dedicated to Adinath, the first of 24 Jain Tirtakars, who attained enlightenment. Take a guide along to prepare for the spectacular site and provide religious and architectural context.