Ranakpur is the beautiful village flaunting its natural beauty amidst the golden desert.

Ranakpur is a small village in Rajasthan that is well-known for its rich cultural and natural spectacle. It is in the beautiful Pali district of Rajasthan. Ranakpur is considered spiritual because of several Jain temples. If you are a nature lover then Ranakpur is the place you must add to your itinerary. This village with lush greenery is surrounded by the Aravalli ranges. Ranakpur is between two royal cities Jodhpur and Udaipur of Rajasthan. Ranakpur Jain temples are the major tourist attractions in Ranakpur. This village is a piece of lively evidence that Rajasthan is not only about deserts.

What is the history of this village? What are the famous tourist attractions? And what is the best time to visit Ranakpur? How to travel to Ranakpur? Here we are with the answers to all these questions. Let's take a look at the detailed guide to the beautiful village Ranakpur.

History of the village Ranakpur

The history of Ranakpur is connected to a Jain trader named Dharna Shah. Once he dreamt of building a flying palace to dedicate the first Tirthankar – Rishabhdev. He found an artist named Depa whom he hired as an architect to construct the temple. Dharna Shah requested land for the temple from Rana Kumbha, the ruler from Sisodia clan. Ranakpur is named after the Rajput ruler Rana Kumbha. Rana Kumbha had also constructed several other temples and monuments. Ranakpur Jain temple is the reason Ranakpur is famous among tourists.

How to reach Ranakpur, Rajasthan?

Ranakpur village is located in Pali district of Rajasthan and is around 60 Kilometres from Udaipur. Ranakpur is famous for the most important Jain temple called Ranakpur Jain Temple. Ranakpur is well-connected to all other major cities of Rajasthan. Here are the ways by which you can easily reach Ranakpur and enjoy the pleasant environment.

  • Reach Ranakpur by Air – The nearest domestic airport to Ranakpur is in Udaipur. Udaipur is around 60 Kilometres from Ranakpur. You will find several domestic flights at Udaipur Airport. The nearest International Airport to Ranakpur is in Jaipur. If you are travelling from any foreign location then Jaipur Airport is the best option.
  • Reach Ranakpur by Train – The nearest railway station to Ranakpur is in Udaipur. Udaipur railway station is provided with several trains running between different stations. You can also reach Ranakpur via Falna Railway Station.
  • Reach Ranakpur by Road – Reaching Ranakpur via road is an amazing experience. You will get to witness the natural scenic beauty of the village. There are multiple buses running from Udaipur to Ranakpur. RSRTC bus services connect Ranakpur to other major cities of Rajasthan.

Popular tourist attractions in Ranakpur

People all around the globe visit Ranakpur throughout the year. The peaceful village with lovely locals, welcomes you wholeheartedly. There are many beautiful tourist places in Ranakpur. You can easily cover these places in 2-3 days as they lie very close to each other. Let’s take a look at these beautiful places that attract tourists towards Ranakpur.

Ranakpur Jain Temple

Ranakpur Jain Temple is the most visited and important tourist destination in Ranakpur. This temple is a huge complex consisting of 29 halls. Ranakpur Jain Temple is one of the most important pilgrimages of Jains. This temple is famous for its magnificent architecture and beautiful designs. Rajput ruler Rana Kumbha built this temple in the fifteenth century. One of the special things about this temple is that it has four faces. Ranakpur Jain Temple has colour changing pillars which change colour from golden to blue every hour.

Kumbhalgarh Fort

Kumbhalgarh Fort is situated around 50 Kilometres from the Ranakpur village. This fort is believed as the birthplace of Maharana Pratap. The magnificent architecture of Kumbhalgarh Fort attracts tourists.

Surya Narayana Temple

This temple is also famous among tourists visiting Ranakpur. Surya Narayana Temple is dedicated to the Sun god. Temple is decorated with multiple murals on the walls. A large number of devotees come to this temple regularly.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Kumbhalgarh Fort. You can hire a taxi or cab and visit this beautiful wildlife sanctuary. This sanctuary is a home to several animals such as leopards, sloth bears, panthers,etc.

Other popular places –

  • Ranakpur Dam
  • Sadri
  • Narlai
  • Muchhal Mahavir Temple
  • Desuri

Things to do in Ranakpur

Ranakpur is the place where tourists never get tired of its beauty. There are several unique things to try in Ranakpur. Visit the magnificent Jain temples and feel the spirituality which blows in air. Provide yourself with a peaceful visit to the glorious land of Ranakpur. Ranakpur is a small village but one can gain many thrilling experiences in this place. Here is the list of activities that you must not forget to do while in Ranakpur.

    • Wolf spotting at Jaba Wolf Point
    • Enjoy jeep safari in Ranakpur
    • Experience the spirituality of Jain Temples
    • Witness the magnificent Kumbhalgarh Fort
    • Enjoy Horse riding trip in Ranakpur
    • Trekking to Thandiberi
    • Wildlife tour at Ranakpur Wildlife Sanctuary
    • Taste some delicious local cuisines

Shopping in Ranakpur – What and Where to shop ?

The vibrancy of Ranakpur markets is the reason people love to visit these colourful bazaars. All the shops in Ranakpur markets are filled with beautiful handicraft items, traditional clothes, precious jewellery and intricate pottery designs. You will have multiple options to purchase some beautiful decorative items for your home. These items contain an essence of rajasthani culture and tradition. Ranakpur bazaars are filled with wooden carvings, marble carvings, beautiful jewelleries, colourful puppets, precious gems and stones, bangles and ceramics.

What is the best time to visit Ranakpur?

If you are planning to visit Ranakpur then here we are to help you sort out the perfect time for your Ranakpur trip. Because of its pilgrimage importance, Ranakpur has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in Rajasthan. The best time to visit Ranakpur is during winter. In winter, the climate of this village is very calm and pleasant. You can plan your trip to Ranakpur between October to March. During winter, nature is in its real beauty and one can witness the scenic beauty of Ranakpur.

Just like any other city of Rajasthan, summer is extremely hot and humid in Ranakpur. The temperature during this season is around 23°C – 44°C. That is why visiting Ranakpur during summer is not so comfortable.

Ranakpur is the spiritual oasis of Rajasthan and one should visit this beautiful place.