Right opposite to the main entrance of the beautiful main Ranakpur Jain Temple dedicated to Adinatha, stands a small but beautifully designed temple. It is a stone’s throw away and is destined to literally stay in the shadow of the bigger Chaturmukha temple, the temple that is the pride of Rajasthan and lures visitors in droves. Hardly any of the tourists that were swarming the bigger temple made their way to this small temple. When we went there, a handful of Jain devotees were offering their prayers here. This was the Parshwanath Jain Temple Ranakpur. The temple is located within the campus of the Ranakpur Jain Temples. In fact, as you make your way to the main temple, you have to pass by the Parshvanatha Jain Temple on your right.
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Parshwanath Jain Temple Ranakpur, Rajasthan
A guard stands outside the entrance to the Parshwanath Jain Temple. Many walk past without so much as a second glance. Steps lead up to a narrow door set in an exquisitely carved door frame, that stands in stark contrast to the plain wall around it. The temple which is on a raised platform cannot be seen from down below. It is only when you enter into the doorway that you can see the contours of the beautifully designed temple.
The temple stands in the middle of an open courtyard. One can get a good view of the Chaumukha Jain Temple towards the left of the Parshwanth Jain Temple.
The Parshvanatha Jain Temple itself consists of a small pillared outer courtyard that leads to the sanctum sanctorum. Inside the temple, there is a beautiful idol of Parswanath. At the top of the Sanctum Sanctorum rises the Shikhara in keeping with the Nagara style of architecture.
The outer walls of the Parshwanath Jain Temple Ranakpur are covered with exquisite carvings that have withstood the ravages of time and nature.
Who Was Parshwanath?
For those not familiar with Jainism it is important to understand a little about the deity who is worshipped at the Parswanath Jain Temple Ranakpur.
Parshwanath or Parshvanatha, sometimes also referred to as Paras or Parshva was the 23rd Tirthankara according to Jain belief. Tirthankaras in Jainism are those enlightened beings who have conquered the cycle of birth and death and also show the path to others.
Parshwanatha is believed to have been born about 350 years before the advent of Mahavira who is credited with the revival and reorganization of the Jain religion.
Parshwanatha is recognized by the hood of a serpent that covers his head benevolently. He is usually worshipped along with Dharanandra and Padmavathi, who are said to be his Yakshas.
Parshwanatha was the Tirthankara who succeeded the 22nd Tirthankara Neminath. There is a temple dedicated to Neminath not far from the Parshwanath Jain Temple Ranakpur and within the same complex.
The temple dedicated to Parshwanth too is believed to be around 600 years old is an integral part of the heritage of the region. It is also an important place of pilgrimage for the Jains. Another temple not to be missed when visiting the Ranakpur Jain Temples is the Ranakpur Sun Temple that stands on the main road, just outside the complex of the Ranakpur Jain Temples.
Udaipur to Ranakpur Map
How To Get To Parshwanath Jain Temple Ranakpur
- The temple is within the Ranakpur Jain Temples complex and just opposite the main Chaturmukha Temple
- The temple is around 93 kilometers from the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan, India
- The nearest airport is the Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur that is 106 kilometers away
- The temples of Ranakpur and the fort of Kumbhalgarh can be visited on a day trip from Udaipur
- Services of public buses and private taxis can be used to reach Ranakpur from Udaipur
- The nearest railway station to Ranakpur is Falna at a distance of about 35 kilometers
Where To Stay When Visiting The Parshwanath Jain Temple Ranakpur
Though it is possible to see the Ranakpur temples on a day trip from Udaipur, it is recommended to stay overnight as that would give you more time to explore the beauty of the temples leisurely and in detail.
There are quite a few resorts to choose from when in Ranakpur and this includes the Ranakpur Hill Resort, very near the temples, and the place where we stayed during our visit.
If you are planning a trip to Ranakpur you can book hotels or resorts here.
You can book flights and hotels right here. Be it hotels in Ranakpur or hotels in Udaipur or the best resorts in Ranakpur or resorts in Udaipur or anywhere in India or throughout the world, you can book them right here. You can book your hotels/resorts in Ranakpur or anywhere else through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Expedia or Makemytrip and accrue huge savings.
You can book an online Ranakpur tour from Udaipur and can also book any of the popular activities in Udaipur.
If you are looking for hotels or resorts in Ranakpur, do check out Ranakpur Hill Resort, an enchanting place to stay, very near the Ranakpur Jain Temples.
Driving to Ranakpur, Rajasthan, India
If you are looking at getting the best deals on car rental in Ranakpur or Udaipur, India, then look no further. You can rent a car in Delhi to explore and experience Udaipur, Ranakpur, and places around Udaipur. If you have a valid Indian driving license then you could rent a self-drive car from Delhi.
Where And What To Eat When Visiting The Parshwanath Mandir
There is a small cafe/restaurant inside the Ranakpur Jain Temple Complex that serves light snacks and hot beverages.
Tips For Visiting The Parshwanath Derasar
- Entrance to the temple is free
- If you want to photograph the temple then you need to take an INR 100 ticket that is valid for all the temples within the complex
- Photography is allowed only after 12.00 PM, but the idols inside the sanctum sanctorum cannot be photographed
- It is a religious place where people worship, hence maintain the sanctity of the place
- The best time to visit is during the winter months between October to early March when the climate in Rajasthan is cool
When in Ranakpur, do make it a point to visit the Parswanath Jain Temple, either before or after visiting the main Chaturmukha Jain Temple. It is a beautiful temple and also provides a good view of the main temple. Ranakpur is an ideal day trip from Udaipur. It can be done as a day trip from Udaipur or can be clubbed with your visit to Kumbalgarh Fort from Udaipur.
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