Ranakpur Attractions
Description
Venue: Chaturmukha When: Daily
Ranakpur's beautiful white marble Jain temple is supported by 1444 carved pillars - and no two are the same.
Chaturmukha is the biggest and most elaborate temple in Ranakpur, with several others around it looking somewhat discarded. It's hardly surprising, as Chaturmukha is a haven of peace where light plays with carvings and corridors of white marble, with white-robed Jain followers quietly going about their devotional rituals.
Jainism began in India around the time of Buddhism and now has some two million adherents, despite the severity of its doctrines. Based on non-violence and the path to salvation (enlightenment), it forbids killing or harm to any being. As this includes insects, Jain monks must wear face masks to avoid breathing in tiny animals and sweep the ground as they walk to avoid treading on them. In earlier times, they were required to give up all vestiges of material life - including clothing.
Small communities of "sky-clad" Jains still exist in isolation, but the practice has mostly died out. Jain monks still undergo an extreme series of practices including fasting, prayer and renunciation of selfish thoughts and deeds. While Buddhist monks shave their heads, Jain monks pull the hair out by the roots as part of their initiation.
Chaturmukha was built in the 15th century in the beautiful forested valley of Arvallis. On a large scale it is an amazing three-storey piece of architecture, but the detail of the carvings is equally impressive. Historical scenes are depicted on ceilings and domes.
Despite the strict displine of their religion, Jain lay people tend to be well-heeled merchants (albeit vegetarian ones) and this temple welcomes visitors.
Ranakpur's beautiful white marble Jain temple is supported by 1444 carved pillars - and no two are the same.
Chaturmukha is the biggest and most elaborate temple in Ranakpur, with several others around it looking somewhat discarded. It's hardly surprising, as Chaturmukha is a haven of peace where light plays with carvings and corridors of white marble, with white-robed Jain followers quietly going about their devotional rituals.
Jainism began in India around the time of Buddhism and now has some two million adherents, despite the severity of its doctrines. Based on non-violence and the path to salvation (enlightenment), it forbids killing or harm to any being. As this includes insects, Jain monks must wear face masks to avoid breathing in tiny animals and sweep the ground as they walk to avoid treading on them. In earlier times, they were required to give up all vestiges of material life - including clothing.
Small communities of "sky-clad" Jains still exist in isolation, but the practice has mostly died out. Jain monks still undergo an extreme series of practices including fasting, prayer and renunciation of selfish thoughts and deeds. While Buddhist monks shave their heads, Jain monks pull the hair out by the roots as part of their initiation.
Chaturmukha was built in the 15th century in the beautiful forested valley of Arvallis. On a large scale it is an amazing three-storey piece of architecture, but the detail of the carvings is equally impressive. Historical scenes are depicted on ceilings and domes.
Despite the strict displine of their religion, Jain lay people tend to be well-heeled merchants (albeit vegetarian ones) and this temple welcomes visitors.
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