Ranakpur Jain Temple

RANAKPUR is located in the mountain ranges of Pali district, 95 kms away from the Udaipur. Ranakpur is reached after passing lush green valleys and streams and the heart capturing views drive away any fatigue of the journey. The Ranakpur Jain temples were built during the region of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century.

The entire temple area is enclosed within a wall. The main 'Chamukha' temple is dedicated to the trithankara Rishabdeoji and a four-faced image is enshrined in the inner sanctum, open on all four sides.A corridor around the shrine has niches for the tirthankara images and each niche has its spire or shikhar. Little bells are festooned atop each shikar and their jingling in the breeze creates celestial music.

An enormous basement cover 48,000 sq. feet are. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared halls and eight domes supported by over four hundred columns. The total number of columns is 1,444, all which are intricetrly carved, no two being alike.

Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara

The temple of shrinathji or Lord Krishna, belonging to the Vaishnav religion is located at Nathdwara, 48 kms. north of Udaipur. As thousands of tourists and pilgrims from all parts of the world pass the lofty mountains and serene lakes of Udaipur, it is impossible for them to resist visiting this important pilgrim centre.

In the temple, enshrined is a unique image of Lord Krishna, which has been sculptured from a single piece of black marble. It is believed that during the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Lord Krishna's image was brought to Mewar from Mathura by Goswami Daoji and enshrined with complete vedic rites and tradition at Shrinathji by the ruler of Mewar.

One of the arms of the life size image is raised in a manner so as to give an impression of holding the Govardhan mountain. The other arm rests at the waist which seems not only a dance posture but also as if God is blessing the devotees.