The country of India has been known throughout history for showing respect and worship through architectural means, achievement and artistic elegance. This is true in the places of worship, the temples and churches, as well as the commercial buildings such as the business offices, banks and luxury hotels. Rajasthan, a state of the country of India, as some of the most beautiful and world acclaimed structures. The Ranakpur Temples are renowned for their superb elements of design and style, as well as the artistic integrity that surrounds them. There are five pilgrimages to be of major importance to the Jains. And the temple in the city of Udaipur is one of them. The temple sits just north of the city and is accessible for tourists through the transit system. This temple was constructed during the 1400′s is said to be one of the most important to the religious sect of Jains. As with many of the temples, this one was financed by a well known and wealthy businessman of the time, Seth Dharna Sah.
The complex, which is home to a few temples, is in an isolated area, a valley that sits to the west of the Aravalli Mountain Range. The architecture of these structures is splendid, including many sculptures, pillars and rooms constructed of the lightest colors in marble. The most important, and most visited of the temples is the Chaumukha. This is a sacred location dedicated and honoring Lord Tirthankara, the first of the leaders of the sect of the Jains. There are four ways into the building, which gives definition to the name, of a temple with four faces. In the main hall one will come across the image of the lord Adinath, looking out to the four directions on the compass as well as looking out through the universe. There are many smaller works of art surrounding the main sculpture, each with significance that are supported by the spires and the halls that ultimately focus back to the centerpiece. This singular temple is one of the many wonders, and masterpieces of the country of India.