Rajasthan Travels
Home » About Us

Rankhpur Tour Packages

History of Ranakpur

Ranakpur 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.

The construction is well documented in a 1437 CE copper-plate record, inscriptions in the temple and a Sanskrit text Soma-Saubhagya Kavya. Inspired by a dream of a celestial vehicle, Dhanna Shah, a Porwad, commenced its construction, under the patronage of Rana Kumbha, then ruler of Mewar.

This charming village has derived its name after Rana Kumbha.Well-known for some excellently carved 15th century Jain temples in amber stone, Ranakpur is one of the five holiest places of the Jains and flaunts outstanding natural beauty. Dharna Sah, who happened to be a Jain businessman, approached Rana Kumbha when he had the vision of his great temple to request a portion of land for its construction. The magnificent Jain temples were built during the rule of the open-minded and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha during the 15th century. The basement of the complex covers 48,000 sq. feet area and features four additional shrines, twenty four pillared halls and domes supported by more than four hundred columns. There are 1,444 columns and all of them are intricately carved with different appearance.Click here for Customised Tour Booking

The Ranakpur Jain Temple were built under the reign of Rana Kumbha in the 15th century AD. The Ranakpur Jain temples is one of the most beautiful Jain temple. An enormous basement of this temple covers 48,000 square feet. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared halls. The total number of columns is 1444, all of which are intricately carved, no two being alike. These temples are about 400 years old and even today these temples are well preserved in a perfect condition.

The architectural design of the Jain temple Ranakpur is not only fascinating but also symbolic. It has four sides or four faces (Charmukha). The construction is symbolic of the Tirthankar’s conquest of the four cardinal directions and therefore the cosmos. While each face of the Jain temple is identical in terms of features, no two pillars in the temple are the same. The architect for the temple, referred to in stone inscriptions as Depaka, was evidently a genius. For him, art was an expression of his soul and a prayer, rather than a means of earning money. An ascetic himself, he was impressed by Dharnasha’s lifestyle and religious conviction, which was the reason why he agreed to take on the monumental assignment.

Ranakpur Culture
Two temples, dedicated to the Jain saints Parshavanath and Neminath, face the main temple. The temples have beautiful carvings similar to that of Khajuraho. Another temple worth visiting is the nearby Sun temple, an 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. It speaks of a rich legacy in temple architecture.

Festivals
Ranakpur, a village located in Desuri tehsil near Sadri town in the Pali district of Rajasthan welcomes you all to the grand festival of 2011 “The Ranakpur Festival” starting from 10th to 13th November. Department of Tourism, Rajasthan, is organizing this festival which comprises of holy chanting, cultural programmes, conventional Kathak performances and Classical Bharat Natyam performances.

The evening cultural programme is scheduled to start from 6.30 pm at the Surya Temple. Also find the detailed programme schedules for Ranakpur Festival Events.

10th November:   Bharat Natyam by

11th November:   Kathak by Shobna Narayan

12th November:   Bhajans by Shuba Mudgal

13th November :   Performance by Rajasthani Folk Artists.
Click here for Customised Tour Booking

This is not all, every morning a free jungle safari will also be organized for the guests of Ranakpur Festival. Some of the other attractions of this festival would be the food and craft bazaar where a great mixture of several cultures and amazing art & craft would be seen and experienced.

Golden Triangle With Ranakpur Tour

Destination : Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Puhkar - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Jaiselmer - Bikaner - Mandawa - Delhi
Duration : 15 Nights - 16 Days
 

Day 01: Abroad - Delhi.
Welcome to Colourful Indian Holidays. On arrival at Airport you will be received by our representative and assisted to your hotel. Overnight at Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi.
dAfter  breakfast sightseeing of Delhi. Visit the Qutub Minar, Humayun Tomb, Lotus Temple, the India Gate, the Raj Ghats (Gandhi Memorial), and drive past President's House and Parliament House. Overnight stay at Delhi.

Day 03: Delhi - Agra (250 km).
After breakfast drive to Agra, check into hotel. Later visit to Agra fort is must since so many historical events took place here. And Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) at time of sunset. Taj Mahal - the most extravagant monument ever built for love Mumtaj Mahal by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1633. Overnight stay at Agra.

Day 04: Agra - Jaipur. (240 KM)
Breakfast at hotel and laterdrive to Jaipur. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri (old deserted town of Mughal Dynasty) visiting The Buland Darwaza / Palace of Jodha Bai / Birbal Bhawan & Panch Mahal. Upon arrival check into hotel for 02 nights stay. Overnight stay at Jaipur.

Day 05: Jaipur.
jAfter breakfast at hotel. Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur followed by Elephant ride to the fort. Proceed for sightseeing of Palace of Winds better known as Hawa Mahal, City Palace Museum, Jantar Mantar (Observatory). Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 06: Jaipur - Puhkar. (135 KM)
After breakfast proceed for Pushkar. Reach Pushkar by noon. Check in Hotel. Evening sightseeing of Pushkar. Overnight at Pushkar. Pushkar means born due to a flower. Hindus believe that the gods released a swan with a lotus in its beak and let it fall on earth where Brahma would perform a grand yagna. The place where the lotus fell was called Pushkar.Visit the mausoleum, Anasagar and Akbar's Palace.

Day 07: Pushkar- Udaipur. (350 KM)
Morning drive to Udaipur. Enroute visit Chittorgarh.. Afternoon check in hotel. Free for leisure. Overnight stay at Udaipur.

Day 08: Udaipur.
uAfter breakfast tour of Udaipur covering City Palace, poised over Lake Pichola, iridescent with tile and mirror inlay. Also can explore the town by walking through the narrow, colorful winding lanes. Evening boating at Lake picholla. Overnight sta at Udaipur.

Day 09: Udaipur – Ranakpur. (100 KM) 
After breakfast you drive to Ranakpur. Afternon visit Jain temple, superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition for over 500 years. The most attractive features are the 29 halls of the temple, which have 1444 pillars of which no two are like. Overnight at hotel. 

Day 10: Ranakpur – Jodhpur. (190 KM) 
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur, on arrival check into hotel for 01 night stay. Afternoon guided sightseeing of Jodhpur visit Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada & Mandor Garden. Overnight at hotel. 
j
Day 11: Jodhpur - Jaiselmer. (280 KM)
After breakfast drive to Jaiselmer On arrival check in at hotel. The evening would be at leisure. Overnight stay at Jaisalmer.

Day 12: Jaiselmer.
After a relaxed breakfast sightseeing tour of The Golden City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are all built of yellow stone. The city is a mass of intricately carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the JAISALMER FORT - The oldest living Fort in the world. Visit Patwon ki haveli. Evening drive to sand dunes, camel ride at sunset. Back to hotel. Overnight stay at Jaiselmer.

Day 13: Jaiselmer - Bikaner. (310 KM).
After breakfast we head for Bikaner. Afternnoon check in at hotel. We visit the main attractions, Junagarh Fort and the Lalgarh Palace, and the ever so interesting camel breeding farms. Overnight stay at Bikaner. 
This royal walled city is a part of the desert country tourist circuit and lies on the northern tip of Rajasthan. The city was founded in 1486 AD by the Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji, hence the name Bikaner.

Day 14: Bikaner - Mandawa 190 Km.
bAfter early breakfast proceed to Mandawa. Mandawa is famous for its frescos on the mansions (Havelies) of its old merchant). The place is known not only for its havelis but also for its Fort and Palace. The structure ofthe palace reminds of teh culture and social importance of this region in the past. Check in Hotel. Evening at leisure to explore the streets of Mandawa. Overnight at Mandawa.

Day 15: Mandawa - Delhi (250 KM).
After breakfast some more exploration of Mandawa streets adding last minute touch of tour of Rajasthan with Taj Mahal ontime drive to Delhi. Upon arrival check into hotel for wash & change.   

Day 16: Delhi - Onward journey
Early morning departure transfer to International airport to board back home flight. Colourful Indian Holidays ensure timely transfer to airport with sweet Indian Memorable tour. Click here for Customised Tour Booking


Rajasthan Hotels