Sunday, March 15, 2015

Jain Temple, Ranakpur

Jain Temple at Ranakpur carved in amber stone is of exceptional beauty. This temple dates back to period anywhere between the late 14th to mid-15th centuries. Dedicated to Adinatha, the temple occupies an area of approximately 60 x 62 meters. 



The temple, with its distinctive domes, shikhara, turrets and cupolas rises majestically from the slope of a hill. The construction of the temple and quadrupled image symbolize the Tirthankara's conquest of the four cardinal directions and hence the cosmos.



Entering the temple one is overwhelmed by the the lavish abundance of marvelous stonemason works on white marble. There are four subsidiary shrines, 24 pillared halls.



There are totally 1444 columns each from one piece and all rich decorated with most elaborate sculptures. The pillars, carved in exquisite detail, support the temple. The pillars are all differently carved and no two pillars are the same.



Carvings in the ceilings are not alike. There are approximately 6 big ceilings and many more smaller ones. The carvings in the big ceiling are amazing and they are very different from each other.

33 comments:

Cloudia said...

Dazzles the mind


ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=

rupam sarma said...

Beautiful Temple, Wonderful photos.

Joyful said...

Very nice captures Rajesh. Such intricate carvings.

Pallavi said...

Beautiful temple . We have a rich history and temples like these take us back to the bygone era :) lovely !

Forest Dream Weaver said...

What an amazing place.

Conquest of the Cosmos.....fascinating idea!

Pamela Gordon said...

It is very beautiful. The carving is amazing.

R Niranjan Das said...

Impressive art work. Thanks for sharing this.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

I'm loving the deep blue sky!

Blue Glove Entwined with Wind

innergybeauty said...

Wow! Very impressive architectural design..I like it

Ramakrishnan said...

The ornamentation on the sculptures is incredible and amazing

Linda H said...

Wow, so very beautiful! I'd love to visit India, but don't expect I'll ever get there. So thanks for sharing your country with us.

Anonymous said...

How gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Beautiful :)

Fun60 said...

It must be quite a sight to see as you approach from the bottom of the hill.

Photo Cache said...

Another impressive temple.

Jackie and Joel Smith said...

Beautiful designs and excellent photos!

Donna said...

Wow that stonemason work is exquisite....

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful temple and lovely blue skies!! Amazing carvings! Terrific captures for the day as always, Rajesh!!

Ankita said...

lovely carving! Thanks for sharing these awesome pics! :)

Roger Owen Green said...

impressive!

ROG, ABCW

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Magnificent carvings!

Reader Wil said...

Stunning architecture! Thanks for showing all those beautiful temples.
Wil, ABCW.

Carver said...

That's a very intricate and beautiful temple.

carol l mckenna said...

Beautiful photos of a very special place ~ great art work to the divine ~ namaste,

Wishing you a wonder filled week,
artmusedog and carol

Meoww said...

Oh beautiful and rich scuptures!

Al said...

Wonderful architecture, artwork, and photos.

Trubes said...

Amazing architecture and the stone masonry is JUST amazing. I once knew a lovely lady who used to run a corner store was a follower of the JAIN religion, she used to tell all about her home in India before she moved here, she missed it dreadfully.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

The temple and all those details are mind blowing!

V said...

Nice one!
Good presentation! Congrats

Arun Muthusamy said...

The temple looks beautiful.

Yogi Saraswat said...

It is very beautiful. The carving is amazing.

Purba chakraborty said...

Stunning architecture. Beautifully captured :)

Tomichan Matheikal said...

Jain temples have a unique charm and you've captured it.