Jaipur     Chittorgarh     Udaipur     Ajmer     Pushkar

     A 3-hr drive along a winding mountain road, north of Udaipur,  leads to Ranakpur.  The most outstanding feature of this city is the Chaumukha Temple (above). It is dedicated to Adinath, the first teacher (tirthankara) of Jainism. Built in the Aravalli Hills (southwestern region of Rajasthan) in 1438, the marble complex has 29 halls and 1444 pillars - of which no 2 are exactly alike.

Close-up of a richly-carved pillar displaying several images common in Jainism.

Hallway of marble pillars.

The intricate engravings of a dome ceiling, preserved for centuries. Every conceivable surface of wall, pillar and ceiling within the Chaumukha Temple is imprinted with Jain images.

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