Chaumukha Temple of Ranakpur

Chaumukha Temple of Ranakpur

Tradition

Jain / Svetambara

The Place

• Location: Ranakpur, Pali, Rajasthan (25.1167°N, 73.4667°E)

Sacred Narrative

Ranakpur Chaumukha (1437–1458 CE) — Ādinātha Jain temple with 1,444 intricately-carved marble pillars, no two alike. The four-faced (chaumukha) idol of Ādinātha sits in the central sanctum. The temple covers 48,000 sq ft. Pilgrims note: attempting to count the pillars gives an impossible result; temple-lore says the count changes. Daily darshan from 9 AM–5 PM (closed for non-Jains before 9 AM for morning-pūjā).

Why This Entry Matters

India's sacred landscape embraces Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Zoroastrian, tribal, regional-folk traditions — each with its own cosmology and priestly lineage. This entry honours Jain on its own terms.