Ranakpur temple

by **mmani** Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:24 pm

Ranakpur temple

Ranakpur Temples are acclaimed world-wide for their
intricate and superb architectural style. These temples form one of the
five major pilgrimages of the Jains. Located in village of Ranakpur near
Sadri town in the Pali district of Rajasthan, Ranakpur temple lies at a
distance of 95 kms in the north of Udaipur city. The temple is easily
accessible from the city of Udaipur as regular buses are easily
available. Built in the 15th century, Ranakpur temples are known for
being the largest and most important temples of the Jain cult.

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The temple is said to have been
built by Seth Dharna Sah (a Jain businessman) with the aid of Rana
Kumbha, who ruled Mewar in the 15th century. Ranakpur got its name after
the name of the Rajput Monarch and likewise the temples. The temple
complex is positioned in an isolated valley on the western side of the
Aravalli Range. The Jain Temples of Ranakpur are certainly creditable
for their splendid architecture. This temple is wholly constructed in
light colored marble and comprises a basement covering an area of 48000
sq feet. There are
more than 1400 exquisitely carved pillars that support the temple.

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The temple is a masterpiece of
architecture and boasts of not less than four additional shrines. It has
24 pillared halls with 80 domes that are supported by 400 columns. The
upper and lower parts of the domes are linked by brackets that have
deities' sculptures. Above all, you would be amazed
to see at a height of 45 feet engraved nymphs playing the flute in
various dance postures. Each column is intricately carved and it is
surprising to know that no two columns have the similar design.

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Apart from this, another
stunning act about these columns is that they change their color from
golden to pale blue after every hour during the day. In the mandap
(prayer hall), the two big bells of 108 kg
each produce a harmonious sound on the movement. Chaumukha temple is
formed like a Nalinigulm Vimana (heavenly aircraft) and provides this
whole structure a celestial appearance. Conceivably, it is due to the
intricacy of the structure that the temple took approximately 65 years
to complete.

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In the complex, there are
several temples including Chaumukha
temple, Parsavanath temple, Amba Mata Temple and Surya Temple. Amongst
all of them, Chaumukha Temple is the most important and as the term
Chaumukha suggests, this temple is four-faced. Chaumukha temple is
dedicated to Lord Adinath, who is the first 'Tirthankara' of the Jains.
The Temple structure is highly compound having four different doorways
to get into the chambers. These chambers ultimately take you to the main
hall where the image of Adinath is positioned.

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The four faced image also
symbolizes the Tirthankara's quest for the four directions and
ultimately the cosmos. The image is surrounded by many small shrines and
domes. One more range of cells with separate roofs encircles these
shrines and domes all over again. The five spires elevate above the
walls and around 20 cupolas rise from roof of the pillared hall. Each
spire houses a shrine and the largest shrine is the important one that
addresses the central altar. The temple ceilings are festooned with
foliate scrollwork and geometric patterns.

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The Temple of Parsavanath is
another attraction that is worth visiting. Built in the mid 15th
century, the temple is renowned for its engraved windows embellished
with Jain figures. Parsavanath Temple is also known as Patriyon Ka
Mandir. In close proximity to this temple, you can trace two other
temples dedicated to Neminath (22nd saint) and Surya Narayan (Sun God)
respectively. Here, Surya Narayan Temple has innumerable wall
projections with circular structure. The sight of Lord Surya driven in
his chariot of seven horses is truly pleasing.

The dating of this
temple is controversial but it is largely considered to be anywhere
between the late 14th to mid-15th centuries. Inspired by a dream of a
celestial vehicle, Dhanna Shah, a Porwad, is said to have commissioned it, under the patronage of Rana kumbha, then ruler of Mewar.
The architect who oversaw the project is said to have been named
Deepaka. There is an inscription on a pillar near the main shrine
stating that in 1439 Deepaka, an architect, constructed the temple at
the direction of Dharanka, a devoted Jain

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The origins of Jainism can be traced back to
the Indus River valley civilization of 3000 B.C. Jains believe that
there were 24 great teachers the last of whom was Lord Mahavira who
lived during 6th century B.C. These twenty-four teachers are called
Tirthankaras-people who had attained all knowledge while living (Moksha)
and preached it to the people. Thus, there is not one all-powerful
supreme being that controls all. Jains believe in reincarnation. Their
souls, which are believed
to be a unique substance in the universe, take different living forms
in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This cycle has been going on
forever, the universe has no beginning or end, it has always been and
always will be. The ultimate goal is to get rid of one's karma on their
soul so that they may end this cycle. Once this goal is reached their
soul has attained all knowledge and it rests in the heavens forever
(Nirvana). Karma theory is about actions and the results they bring to
the soul's path. It is the simply the law of cause and effect with
respect to the soul.

E.G. One's actions for today will effect what will happen to them in
this or their future lives. The way to get rid of one's karma is to
follow certain rules of doing good somewhat similar to the ten
commandments. These include the principles of:

Ahimsa - To protect all life (non-violence)
Satya - To speak truth
Asteya - To not steal
Brahmacharya - To not commit adultery
Aparigraha - To limit one's possessions

Jains
uphold these principles by practicing vegetarianism, non-violence in
thought, deed, and action. Jains perform their sacred rituals at the
temple or Derasar. Some of these rituals are:

Puja - Concentrating on one's soul
through intense prayer sometimes in the presence of sculptures of the
teachers to serve as an example of how to attain Moksha.
Samayik - Forty-eight minute ritual that asks for forgiveness for one's sins
Namokar Mantra - A short prayer that can be said at any time that shows obeisance to the perfect souls that have achieved Nirvana.

The
biggest event in the Jain calendar is the holy week (8-10 days) of
Paryushan where Jains reflect upon their actions throughout the past
year. The week takes place in August or September and is concluded by a
three hour prayer called Pratikraman.

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Namokar Mantra: Elixir Itself
Namo Arihantanam I bow in reverence to Arihants Namo Siddhanam I bow in reverence to Siddhas Namo Ayariyanam I bow in reverence to Acharyas Namo Uvajjhayanam I bow in reverence to Upadhyayas Namo Loye Savva Sahunam I bow in reverence to all Sadhus

Eso Panch Namoyaro
This five-fold salutation
Savva Pavappanasano Destroys all sins Mangalanam Cha Savvesim And amongst all auspicious things
Padhamam Havai Mangalam Is the most auspicious one

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The
ultimate power of a Mantra uttered in words and meter depends on the one
who recites it, his feelings at the time and the place where it is
recites. However, the Namokar Mantra while it controls our behaviour
pattern and destroys our sins (Karmanashak), upon being recited
increases our inner spiritual strength. It releases us from crisis, and
it
generates our well-being. Jain scriptures tell of its endless magical
manifestation: A dog who was about to die, heard the Mantra recited by
Jeevandhar and became a handsome Yaksha. A pair of serpents heard the
Mantra recited by Parshva Kumar and metamorphosed into Darnendra and
Padmavati. A bull while in physical agony, heard the Mantra recited by
Seth Padmaruchi and in his next life became Prince Vrishabhdhvaj - the
same prince was known as Sugriva later on. The nobleman Dhananjai's son
dying from snakebite heard the Mantra and regained life. Anjan the thief
running from sure death learnt this Mantra and became a learned man. Aj
while dying patiently heard the Mantra recited by Charudutt and reached
heaven. There are endless legends about the power of this Mantra. The
one who recites this sure Mantra with real faith, scales the heights of
the everlasting pits of hell. In this context it would be well to recall
Suhom Chakravarti's
fate.

May
we all learn from the teachings and beliefs of Jainism and make
our souls pure and sacred so that it is ready to become one with God.