India Ranakpur Jain Temple
Ranakpur Jain temple, AKA Chaturmukha Dharana Vihara, with its 1444 uniquely carved pillars and 80 domes (I didn’t try to count them) is the largest and most impressive of 4 temples on this forest site. It was built in the 1400s by an architect called Dwepa, funded by Rana Kumbha who ruled this section of Rajasthan at the time.
As you wander around, if you admire intricately carved marble, you can’t help but marvel but the density of the columns makes it a challenge to photograph. It's intentionally quiet inside and the guards seem sympathetic to quiet respectful photographers.
As you wander around, if you admire intricately carved marble, you can’t help but marvel but the density of the columns makes it a challenge to photograph. It's intentionally quiet inside and the guards seem sympathetic to quiet respectful photographers.
Photography Tips
No tripods in the temple so higher ISOs. The sun is very bright so expect to have to do a lot of balancing in your post-processing.
Wide-angle lenses might serve you better here.
Wide-angle lenses might serve you better here.
Travel Information
This complex is not on the main tourist track although a coach load of tourists passed through fairly briefly at one stage. I only found out about the place from a driver in Udaipur (Anil on +91 9784763897) who proposed we visit the temples after Kumbhalgarth fort as a one-day trip. I spent so long at both that it did take the whole day.
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