Ranakpur in the state of Rajasthan is one of the five most important pilgrimage sites of Jainism. It is home to an exceptionally beautiful temple complex in the Aravali ranges and a must visit for the tourists coming to this region.

Ranakpur is tucked away in a remote valley in the Aravali range. It is situated around 60 km north of Udaipur in Pali district and boasts of one of the largest and most important Jain Temples in the country. The place is well connected through a road network to other places in the region.

The climate of Ranakpur is tropical with the mercury climbing up to a maximum of around 42°C and a minimum of around 22°C. Winters are only a little colder with a maximum of around 20°C and a minimum of around 11°C. The annual total rainfall is around 55 centimeters. Winter months (October-March) are the best for visiting this place.

Ranakpur is named after Rana Kumbha whom Dharna Sah, a Jain businessman, approached when he had the vision of his great temple to ask for the land for its construction. Renowned for some marvelously carved Jain temples in amber stone, Ranakpur is one of the five holiest places of the Jain community and exceptional in beauty. Situated at a distance of around 60 km from Udaipur, these temples were constructed in the AD 1439.

The Ranakpur Jain Temple was built during the reign of the liberal and gifted Rajput monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The basement is of 48,000 sq. feet area that covers the whole complex. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty-four pillared halls and domes supported by over four hundred columns. The total number of columns is 1,444 all of which are intricately carved with no two being alike. The artistically carved nymphs playing the flute in various dance postures at a height of 45 feet are an interesting sight. In the assembly hall, there are two big bells weighing 108 kg whose sound echoes in the entire complex. The main temple is a Chaumukh or a four-faced temple dedicated to Adinath.

The three other Jain temples in the same complex, including a temple of the Sun God, are all well worth a visit. One kilometer away from the temple complex is the temple of Amba Mata.

Kumbhalgarh is a historical site around 30 km northeast of Ranakpur. It is the most important fort in the Mewar region after Chittaurgarh. The other important place to visit in Kumbhalgarh is a wildlife sanctuary known for its wolves.

Sadri, eight km away, is famous for some beautiful temples and an old dargah of Khudabaksh Baba. The Varahavtar temple and the Chintamani Parsvanath temple are the oldest of the temples situated here.

Three temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman and Navi Mata are among some noteworthy temples at Desuri around 16 km from Ranakpur. An old mosque situated here is also worth a visit. A temple dedicated to Parsuram Mahadeo, nestled in the hills, is also close by.

Another nearby place, Ghanerao, abounds in Hindu temples. Most notable is the temple of Gajanand with a life-size statue of the goddesses Riddhi and Siddhi. The statue in the main shrine is guarded by idols of Hanuman and Bhairon on either side.

The Muchhal Mahavir temple is situated about five km from Ghanerao in the Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary. Its distinctive feature is the statue of Lord Mahavira with a mustache. The two statues of elephants guarding the gateways are splendid examples of temple decoration. In the vicinity are the Garasia tribal villages famous for their colorful costumes.

There are many places in Ranakpur that provide quality accommodation. The costs can range between an amount in four figures for the best double-bedded rooms to a donation of an amount one's own discretion in a dharmshala. Heritage hotels are the best bet in this region, if one is interested in enjoying the royal hospitality and charm of the bygone era. Facilities in the major hotels are good and worth the money spent.

Kumbhalgarh is a famous 15th century fort at a distance of around 84 km from Udaipur in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan. The fort city is well connected to the other parts of Rajasthan by road.

The climate of Kumbhalgarh is tropical with the mercury climbing up to a maximum of around 42°C during summers while winters are a bit colder with the temperature hovering between a maximum of around 25°C and a minimum of around 11°C. The annual total rainfall is around 88 centimeters. Winter months (September-March) are the best to visit this place.

Cradled amidst a cluster of thirteen mountain peaks of the Aravali range, the formidable medieval citadel of Kumbhalgarh stands a wary sentinel to the past glory of its kings and princes. Rising from a prominent ridge, 1,914 m above the sea level, the fort was built in 15th century AD by Maharana Kumbha (AD 1419-63) and is the principal fort after Chittaurgarh, lying 90 km northwest of Udaipur. A unique fact about Kumbhalgarh fort is that it was taken by the Mughals only once in its entire history. And even at that time, it took the combined armies of Delhi, Amber, and Marwar to breach its defense. This was the place where the rulers of Mewar retreated during times of danger.

The wall of the fort stretches some 36 km and is situated at a height of 1,914 m, making it quite inaccessible in the medieval times. The fort provides a good view of the countryside from the top. The place also has the honor of being the birthplace of great rajput warrior king Rana Pratap. The fort encloses many temples, palaces, gardens, and water storage facilities. Apart from the fort, Kumbhalgarh has many more sites for a tourist willing to explore.

The Badal Mahal has beautiful apartments painted with delicate pastel-colored murals.

Haldighati is the scene of the famous battle of 1576 fought between Rana Pratap, the heroic son of King Udai Singh, and the massive forces of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. A beautiful chhatri or canopy with white marble columns dedicated to Rana Pratap stands here.

The 586 sq km Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is also a place worth a visit. A rich variety of wildlife like the panther, sloth bear, wild boar, four-horned antelope, and scientifically bred crocodiles in the lake within the sanctuary are the major attractions of this sanctuary. During winters, the sanctuary becomes home to birds like flamingoes, cormorants, spoonbills and egrets, which stay there through the winter months and fly back once summer arrives.

The Ranakpur Temples are situated around 50 km from Kumbhalgarh. These beautiful Jain temples are a fine example of the north Indian style of temple architecture, especially the Jain style, which stresses on extensive use of marble and elaborate decorative carvings.

On the way to Kumbhalgarh from Udaipur lies a magnificent dam, the Rajsamand Lake. Rana Raj Singh built this royal lake in 1660. From here one can have a spectacular view of the sunset with beautiful torans or arches and chhatris adorning the embankment. The lake has a rest house of the state Irrigation Department on the embankment below. The rest house has a beautifully laid out garden interspersed with exquisite sculptures excavated from the ruins nearby.

The town of Kankroli nearby with a marvelous temple and a pretty palace on the hilltop offers a beautiful hideout away from the hustle and bustle of towns and cities.

Celebration of the Gher Ghoomer festival before the Chamunda Devi Temple has been a tradition of the local tribes for the last six centuries. Colourful crowds from all the surrounding villages congregate at this place to celebrate the festival with much enthusiasm. As part of the traditional celebrations, in one circle, young men belonging to the tribes inhabiting the region like the Bheels, Garasias, and Rawats dance to the mesmeric beat of huge drums. In another circle, village girls of these tribes spray and splash each other with colored water, singing songs replete with double entendres. A euphoria-inducing local brew laced with bhang is offered to anybody who is willing to accept the customary manwar (friendship cup).

One can look forward to horse safaris that are organized by different hotels and tour operators at Kumbhalgarh. It is better to have the booking for this confirmed before coming to Kumbhalgarh. A trek to Kumbalgarh is also a good option for the people who do not mind a bit of adventure. A visit to the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and scenic countryside is worth the efforts.

Though Kumbhalgarh is a small place, there are quite a few accommodation options available. The service is ethnic and the guests can expect the traditional hospitality that the state of Rajasthan is famous for.