Jain Pilgrimage

Author(s): Lalitprabhsagar
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 20

Dharnashah got many a design-drawings of the proposed temple made by several art directors. He found the conceptualisation of the renowned art-director Depa not only conforming to his dream, but also having a glimpse of artistic foresight. Depa, by courtesy Dharna, made the mute rocks vociferous. Rana Kumbha had given a plot of land for the temple and also made a new town populated there when the temple was built. With a view to express gratitude for this devout contribution, Dharna named it Ranakpur after the title Rana.
The construction of the temple had begun in 1446 Vikram (1389 A.D.). The construction work was completed after continuous 50 years' labour. The temple had really become an ideal model of art. Dharna's wish was to make the temple still more artistic, but he had become very old. Therefore, this magnificent temple was consecrated by the sacred hands of Acharya Som Sundar in 1496 V. (1439 A.D.).
The Ranakpur temple is made safe by the surrounding Aravali hills. The tourist becomes enchanted on viewing the attractive form of the temple from a distance. As he approaches nearer and nearer to the temple, the ringing of bells resonating in air over the hillocks begins to move his heart. These vibrating sounds awaken our latent consciousness and gladdens it.
Invisible power of the supreme soul and the sacramentality of art affectionately invites the visitors and the devotees in the premises. Regardless of whether a visitor has faith in God, he finds his heart emotionally charged on coming here. Although the entire art of the temple has flowered in the Jain tradition, still the templebuilder has also got some selected scenes of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata engraved. Even before knocking at the entrance of the temple, the fine examples of communal liberalism which the visitor comes across, cannot help but impress him. After ascending nearly 25 steps of the temple's staircase, the tourist gets attracted by the artistically engraved stone ceiling. There is a huge protruding figure of a valiant five-bodied person on the ceiling. This huge figure is probably related to kichak, described in the Mahabharata, who had one head, but five bodies. This scene is very pleasant and enigmatic Many episodes of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata have been sculpted on this very ceiling.
After crossing the entrance, we find two cells, adjacent to each other, housing the most ancient idols of Jain Tirthankars. Some of the idols have passed through the hands of those invaders who were bent upon sabotaging Indian civilisation and Indian beliefs.
After ascending a few more steps we come across the first courtyard of the temple where minute carvings on the temple can be seen but the bird's eye-view from there tends one to ignore the uniqueness of the sculptural art. Column after column are seen on whichever side you
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