Chaumukha temple at ranakpur

Chaumukha temple at ranakpur

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  CHAUMUKHA TEMPLE AT RANAKPUR •Ranakpur is in Rajasthan . It is located between jodhpur and Udaipur. 162 km from Jodhpur and 91 km from Udaipur, in a valley on the western side of the Aravalli Range.
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  ABOUT • The word‘chaumukha’ means four faced which represents the powers in all four directions . • This temple is also known as the Adinatha Temple named after its god or the Dharna Vihara Temple named after its builder. • This temple was built in 15th century and it took about 65 years to complete this temple. • It is said that the main structure of the temple was inauguared in 1441which included the central part along with the 4 sabha manadapas and one meghanada on then western axis. • It is dedicated to lord Adinath who was the first tirthankara. • This temple is believed to be one of the five holiest jain sites.
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  HISTORY • This templewas built by seth dharna vihara who belonged to a rajasthani jain family. • He was the minister of the king Rana Kumbha, the ruler of mewar. • Seth dharna asked the king for the land to build a temple, king agreed to his demand but on one condition that the temple should bear his name. • Because of this, the temple site on the banks of the river maghai came to be known as Ranakpur. Depaka was only one among the 51 architects who could fullfil dharnas wish and combine the idea of nalini-gulm- vimana (lotus fight) and chaturmukha temple (a temple with a “four faced” image of the tirthankara, facing the four cardinal direction).
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  ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES • Itcovers an area of approx. 60 X 62 meters. • It is made up of light coloured marble from the quarries of Sonana and Sewadi. • Since the temple is located on the slope of a hill so the plinth at the main entrance in the west has been constructed visibly higher.
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  • It has29 halls , 80 domes and 1444 pillars which are beautifully carved with gods and goddesses. • Out of 1444 pillars no two pillars are alike.
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  • The ceilingof the temple are beautifully carved with fine lace like patterns, geometic patterns, musicians etc.
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  PLAN • It doesn’thas the traditional longitudinal plan like that of other temples in India , but follows a CRUCIFORM (cross shaped) one.
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  • This planhas four separate entrances one on each side . 1. Each of these then lead through a series of columned halls to a central arena and the sanctum (garbagriha) which has the four faced white marble image of LORD ADINATHA.
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  2. The sanctumis then surrounded by hallswhich are known as the sabha mandapa (assembly halls)or ranga mandapa (dance halls) 3. The central area of the temple is in the form of a crucifix and encircled by an open rectangular courtyard but in comparision with older jain temples , the court here does not have much prominanace.
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  4. Along theaxis of the assembly halls there are other halls which are three storied and are known as the meghanada mandapa . 5. Which is then followed by the balana mandap which provide an access to the temple.
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  6. courtyards arethen surrounded by three halls on each side . 7. Whose corners are formed by large shrines, this in turn has a series of columns which bound 84 subsidiary shrines.the figure 84 is a representative of the 24 tirthankaras of the past, present and future. 8. In between these are the entrances , on the north and south side,which are flanked by two highly extended shrines.
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  OTHER FEATURES • Thefour shrines at the corners which border the courtyard give the monument the appearance of a panchratha (five shrine temple) which is popular in hindu temples. • The 8 dikpalas (guardians of the cardinal points are placed on the top of the pillars. • The domes are adorned with the 16 jain goddessess of knowledge.
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  • The interiorsof the temple are beautifully carved with floralmotifs, musicians, elephants etc. • As we enter in the temple from the western side we could see a kichaka ( figure having one head and five bodies) which represents the five elements of which the world is composed of.
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  In meghanada mandapaon the northern side there is large marble elephant and on the back of it is mounted the mahout and beside him marudevi, the mother of lord adinatha. • The most remarkable thing of the temple is the wonderful play of light and shade on the pillars,as the sun rays shift through the daythe pillars color is changed from gold to pale blue. • The temple has two big bells which are of 108 kg each and produce a harmonious sound on the movement.
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  • PRESENTED BY- RASHIJAIN(2) SHIVANI DAAD SNEHA SHARMA VARTIKA AGARWAL(39) YASHIKA AGARWAL(45) VIDHUSHI METHWANI(40)