Hi all,

India is terribly underrepresented in this section. I hope to rectify that :D


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In the heart of the remote and enchanting valley of the Arvalli mountain range, skirting the rivulet Maghai, stands the Chaturmukh Jain Temple of Rishabhadev or The Ranakpur Jain Temple.

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/4861/rjt01.png


The Ranakpur Temple is at a distance of about 96 kms from Udaipur in Rajasthan state. It is probably the most complex and extensive of Jain temples in India, covering 40,000 square feet (3600 mtrs).

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/249/rjt02.png


This three-storeyed marble edifice, which is on a lofty plinth, is enveloped in the solitude of the surrounding forest.

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/1038/rjt03.png

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/8782/rjt04.png


The construction of the temple which had begun in 1446 Vikram Samvat, (roughly 600 years ago) took more than fifty years, to complete.

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/3042/rjt05.png

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/5928/rjt06.png


The temple has four artistic entrances. In the main chamber or of the temple there are four huge white-marble images of the Jain Trithankar (Revealer of Truth) Adinath. These four images, which are about 72 inches tall, have been installed facing the four different directions.

There are also four Principal Shrines situated in the four directions, seventy-six smaller domed-shrines dedicated to Hindu and Jain deities and saints, four Assembly halls and eighty-four large and small subsidiary shrines in the complex. The four Principal Shrines are famous for their ornate beauty.

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/5038/rjt07.png

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/6397/rjt08.png

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/3290/rjt09.png

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/8237/rjt13.png


This temple is called 'the city of pillars.' The 1444 temple pillars are designed in such a manner that none of them obstructs the view of the pilgrim wishing to have a 'Darshana' (glimpse) of God; from any corner of the temple one can easily view the images of the deities.

The temple is also designed to be open, allowing fresh air and bright in throughout the interior.

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/1648/rjt10.png

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/1627/rjt12.png


Another interesting fact about the pillars is that each one is different. The temple's designers have also created, hidden among the multitude, one horizontal pillar in the temple. This was It was done like this by the builders to teach that only God is perfect; not human works.

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/8809/rjt14.png

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/9067/rjt15.png

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/6229/rjt24.png


The domes and ceilings of this temple are replete with innumerable carvings depicting famous stories from Hindu and Jain scripture. They are renowned for the way the artists have given their sculptures so much life and movement.

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/9854/rjt22.png

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/511/rjt16.png

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/5641/rjt19.png

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/3448/rjt20.png


This renovated shrine has once again attained its unique fame in the world of art and religion. Every year thousands of pilgrims from all over India and the world come to visit this holy place.

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/4699/rjt23.png

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/5691/rjt25.png

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/1607/rjt26.png


Questions/Comments welcome! :cheers1:

Best Regards,
Jai

:eek2:

Amazing!

Wow 10

Jhakkas, 10 from me

Jeez wow - and the attention to detail is outstanding. 10

Wow! :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

So much detail!

10!!!!!!!

beautiful. India never ceases to amaze me.

10/10, I never even knew something like this even existed.

WOW!!!!!
This temple is really amazing. How many details? I don't know, but is crazy!!!
Congratulations India for your cultural heritage.

Is awesome 10/10

I love the indian temples. 10/10

9/10

great to see so many 10/10s for this one. another 10/10 from me. amazing

9/10

snake likes giving 3 to indian things (this temple taj mahal etc..)

Sometimes I feel like I give way too many 10s... but this one truly deserves it.

9/10

It may have a horizontal pillar but I still think this is damn near perfect :uh:
IMO its silhouette could have been a bit different to be perfect but that's about it.

9.5 and I'll probably regret not giving a 10

snake likes giving 3 to indian things (this temple taj mahal etc..)
Yeah man. The only 3s given are by him and some Pakistani guy. Go figure :sleepy:

Here are some more pictures of the details of this temple:

http://img137.exs.cx/img137/3725/ranak013px.png

http://img137.exs.cx/img137/570/ranak020od.png
^ Carved from a single piece of marble!

http://img137.exs.cx/img137/883/ranak039df.png

http://img137.exs.cx/img137/1400/ranak042xm.png
^ Each of the hundred-thousands of statues is museum quality

http://img137.exs.cx/img137/9567/ranak059hx.png

9/10

Amazing temple... 10/10

woow 10/10

9/10

amazing

10/10. Great Details. Simply outstanding!

this temple owns man. Best one in india, meenakshi temple is nothing compared to this one!!

:eek2: 9.5/10 :)

It takes a lot of guts to build something that hideous. I give it 4/10 :bash:

:eek2: i like that 10/10

I really like this temple.. 10/10!!

P.S. Jai, your ImageShack bandwidth limit has been reached. ;)

Can I go beyoooooooooooond 10?. Dude...this one is amazing. 10/10 from me. Rajasthan has such a set of temples and palaces. Jai to Jai. Thanks much for the acute details.

One more awesome pic

http://www.shieldsaroundtheworld.com/origs/P0004585.jpg

http://www.shieldsaroundtheworld.com/origs/P0004593.jpg

http://www.shieldsaroundtheworld.com/origs/P0004591.jpg

Self Edited.

I give it a 9/10!

10/10

Amazing structure.The statues and other details are fucking beautiful.

Here's another interior shot of the Ranakpur Temple:
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/2223/19zp.jpg
^ You can see how airy it really is

And now some outdoor shots of the surrounding area. The other ones in this thread were taken in the dry season. Here's how it looks in the monsoon:
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/6944/20fe.jpg
^ From the temple ramparts. Note the hills and the verdant greenery of the surrounding jungle

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/123/37bg.jpg
^ The Ranakpur Temple is surrounded by other temples jutting out of the mountains almost like natural outcroppings

wow!!!- 10/10.

10/10

10/10

This is stunning piece of architecture. Everything you can ask for. Grand, majestic & has stunning fine details. an absolute masterpiece.

I didn't know it :bash: :eek: 10/10

Really beautiful. 9.5/10.

10/10

10/10! Simply Amazing! :master:

8.5/10

9.5/10

I didnot had any knowledge about the existance of this temple sofar. Details are magnificient. Just got one word for it... Adbhut (..amazing)

Nothing less than 10/10

10/10.

7.5

7.5/10

Amazing! 10/10

9.5/10

10/10

That's definitely a 10/10.

10/10 - one of the best in India.

Man, that's intricate! But if you're not used to it then it can cause a form of sensory overload. But OMG. 10/10

beautiful :drool: 10/10

10/10. Wow. I'm speechless. :eek2:

9,5/10

Thanks for all the comments guys! :cheers:

See also, this new temple, built in a similar style:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=370653

8/10

10

I want to go to India :D

10/10

I'm mezmerized by the interior details. :shocked:

10/10

*bump*

10/10

9,5/10 :)

10. very amazing!

10/10:)

:eek2:

10/10

10/10

What does this deserve but 10?

9/10

Magic. 9,5/10

by abmiller99 (http://flickr.com/photos/govmilliken/) @ flickr

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/9163/3059165298c761d1eb01bvc3.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/3728/3059169428b872958d71b1qi1.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/2919/3059159676bfaec4d5b5baz7.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/5972/3058330545c9f5c7830cb1cp8.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/7882/2992517565ca466e4aaeotd5.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/2763/305832734741c8a88494bio1.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/236/3059165562a589889051bay9.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/8626/305832988550ccccb0bbbkp3.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/8189/305916871094148d30bbbty0.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/6335/3058334441e92a7a027dbim6.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/461/30583338876e84537e57boy2.jpg

Jai, you've posted some BRILLIANT pictures. :cheers:


I hae to say that I can't help but feel sorry for the people who voted '3 or below'. The envy, and where it's coming from, is CLEAR!!

10/10 Unique!

10/10 :master:

10. Excellent. Regards.

amazing. i am proud of India!!:)

9/10

9.5/10

10/10 :nuts:

10/10 !

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/3631/ranakpur.jpg

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2493/ranakpuradinathjaintemp.jpg

10/10

:eek2:

Double Post ^^

10/10
very beautiful and with comments, I like

100 / 10 SIMPLY AMAZING !!!

This can even qualify as one of the world wonders.

Almost perfect. (9.5/10)

10/10!!


:applause:

10/10

8/10

9/10