Ranakpur Jain Temples

The famous Ranakpur Temples are just 50 kilometers from Kumbhalgarh by the scenic route through Vanpura and Saira. The steep spiny ridges of the Aravallis were covered with brilliant orange Dhak and yellow Mahuwa flowers in late March.

Begun in 1438 by Rana Kumbha, Ranakpur became a strangely tranquil meditation center in frequently war-ravaged land. It also becomes a magnificent sculpture museum to which wealthy Jain merchants and ministers kept adding shrines and statues. The central Chaumukha Temple is dedicated to the venerated Tirthankar Adinath. With its 29 halls and 1,444 distinctly carved pillars, this is an astounding monument. The superb marble friezes and carvings should be enjoyed at leisure, and the legends treated with suspended disbelief.

Two temples dedicated to the Jain saints Parasnath and Neminath have beautiful erotic carvings very similar to those, which have made Khajuraho famous. And truly worth visiting is the much earlier probably 6th century Sun Temple close by, which has polygonal walls richly embellished with warriors, horses, and booted solar deities driving splendid chariots.

Ghanerao

Ghanerao, with its red sandstone havelis and a number of old temples, baolis, and marble chattris, is located just 5 km beyond the Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary. It was founded in 1606 by Gopal Das Rathore and demands a certain visit.