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RAJASTHAN ATRRACTION PLACES

Jain Temples, Ranakpur

Rikhabdev: Rikhabdev was the first Jain Thirthankar. This place is famous for the temple dedicated to him. The Vaishnavas claim him to be the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple belongs to the Svetambara sect of Jains but at the moment is under the control of the of State Government of Rajasthan. The idol is better called Kesariyaji drived from the name kesar or saffron which is put on the forehead of the Lord . The town of Rikhabdev is also called Dhulev by the name of the Bhil tribal Dhula who once protected the idol. The Bhils are very loyal to the lord and call it Kalaji. There is no inscription to mark the antiquity of the idol but is believed to very old and is suppose to be fulfilling the wishes of its worshippers.

How to reach: It is 42 kms away from Udaipurand has easy access from here.

Mount Abu: According to the inscriptions Mt. Abu was originally the seat of Saivism. Jainism was introduced in 11th century only. The Dilwara temples here are the most important Jain center of India. The first jain temple Vimala Vasahi was built in 1032A.D. by Vimala Shah, minister of Bhimadeva-I. Besides the famous temple at Abu, there are five temples of Neminath at Girnar. The Vimala Vasahi temple is the earliest and most important of the temples here and is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Adi Nath. The entire temple is carved out of white marble.

The Tejapala temple resembles the architectural plan of Vimala Vashi temple,(built nearly 200 years earlier),nevertheless stands as the last of the monuments built in the Solanki style,which came to an end with the occupation of Gujarat by the Muslims towards the end of 13th century.

The striking feature of the Tejapala temple is its dome which stands on 8 pillars. The pendant of the dome is a perfect gem; where it drops from the ceiling it looks like a cluster of half open lotuses. The other attraction of this temple are the Garbh Griha or the main sanctum and the Hathikhana or the elephant room where there are ten elaborately carved elephants.

How to reach: It can be reached by train from Delhi and Mumbai via Ahmedabad.


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