The Ranakpur Jain Temple

Today I am focussing on the spectacular marble Jain temple in the village of Ranakpur, near Udiapur.  This beautiful 500-year-old building is a stunning piece of architecture most notable for the quality and variety of its carved surface decoration.

The marble Jain temple at Ranakpur

The turrets and domes of the temple are supported on over 1,400 pillars, each one with its own individual and unique carvings.

Every pillar has its own unique carvings

My favourite parts of the decoration were the amazing circular reliefs that formed the underside of the cupolas on the roof.

Carving on the ceiling under a dome

More than anything else, it is the sheer quality of the invention in the carved patterns that is so stunning, plus, of course the marvellous execution.

Jaw-dropping rhythm and movement in the design of a carving

Many of you must think that I am obsessed by India given the number of posts I have
devoted to it. The truth is that I had the chance to photograph so many beautiful
and interesting things on my visit there and I keep thinking of yet one more
that deserves to be shared.

The marble Jain temple at Ranakpur

Entrance to the marble temple

Jaw-dropping rhythm and movement in the design of a carving

The structure took 50 years to complete

The temple has around 20 cupolas each with its own circular carving beneath

Carving on the ceiling under a dome

The temple structure is tiered like a wedding cake

This photograph gives an impression of the massive scale of the building

Every pillar has its own unique carvings

Visitors to the temple are likely to get neckache from looking up!

Worshippers leaving the temple

Carving surrounds the entrance door

Related posts: Jyoti’s Pages; India Travel Portal; Heather Castle’s Blog;
Saiprema’s Blog

About these ads