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SHRI RANAKPUR TIRTHA SHRI ADESHVAR BHAGAVAN
The Ranakpur tirtha is situated in the lap of the Aravalli hill ranges near the Maghai river. It has acquired a unique co-ordination of the natural beauty and the man-made sculptural art. This tirtha has no equal as far as expanse is concerned. It is 313 feet in breadth and 290 feet in length. Still all facilities for air and light are provided in it, -asurprise indeed for the architects of the whole world. In the temple we have an idol of Mulanayaka Shri Adishvara Bhagavan. It is white in complexion, about 180cms, in height and in Padmasana posture, it is very much impressive. The temple, of the style of NALINIGULMA plane, was constructed by Dharanashah, who was very much religious and was inspired by revered Acharya Somasundara Maharaj. Nalinigulama plane means a plane of Svargaloka, beautiful in all its parts. Dipaji, the architect of Mundara village planned it. The construction of the temple started in V.S. 1446, it could not be completed in fifty years. However, Shreshthi Shri Dharanashah, considering his own old age performed the ceremonious installation of this temple in V.S. 1496, at the auspicious hands of revered Acharya Shri Somasundarasuriji in all gaiety. A vast town came into being in the vicinity of this temple Ranakpur by name. Later on the tirtha also came to be known by the same name. In V.S. 1499, therewere some 3000 houses of Shravakas. We have ref.erences which state that the Meghanada pandal was constructed here and renovation took place. Under the sacred sermonizing of revered Acharya Shri Hirajivijayasuriji Maharaj, who had been famous as AKABARA PRATIBODHAKA (i.e. one who awakened the consciousness of the Jaina faith in great mughal emperor Akbar by his sermons). This is the Chief tirtha of the five tirthas of Godawal in Rajasthan. The firm of Anandaji Kalyanji got it repaired and renovated in V.S. 2009. The temple is enriched by 84 shrines, 1444 pillars, four Meghanada pandals, five Merus, 32 arched gates, Sahashrakuta Ashtapadas, four festival-pandals, nine Bhumigruhas and 38 thousand idols. This great temple is therefore known as Trailokyadipakaprasada of Tribhuvanavihara. It was under the very much appealing inspiration of monarch of the Jaina faith Acharyashri Vijayanemisurishvaraji that the Sheth Anandaji Kalyanaji Pedhi repaired this tirtha constantly for eleven years, renovated it and made it world-renowned.
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