With ten years of schooling over, we decided to escape the concrete jungle of Bombay and embark on a journey to our friend's farmhouse in Rajasthan. (Well, not 'embark' really) We played cricket, we enjoyed football and we had a treasure hunt as well but one thing we never thought we would do is going on a pilgrimage to the Jain temple of Ranakpur.
For all those who don't know, this structure so intricately built has 1444 pillars and is in the shape of a 'dev viman'.(Well, if you're thinking about counting them, here's a peice of news. Many attempts have been made but the number has always been 1443 or 1445!) The story starts with a dream a king staying out there had. This king explained the dream to many well read architects but sadly, no one could understand what exactly the king wanted. One fine day, as fine the day was, the an illiterate architect came to the king. The architect did lots of prarthana (prayers) and tapasya (penance) and shockingly, reproduced exactly what the king had seen in his figure... From then, there was no looking back. People who had no idea of sculpting were asked to audition, and when passed, began to work in the real temple.
Two facts about this temple that sill never cease to fascinate us is how the designs in all the pillars are different and (secondly) the way the gods murthis are placed. Wherever one is, in whichever angle he or she is standing, he will always be able to see the idol of a god. This specimen of architecture is a mixture of mathematics, arts and religion. It is also one of the only temple in Asia which is built according to Vastu. You enter and face east, the passage to knowledge, north is the channel of health and wealth...then comes south which gives you power. So, basically, if you want to win in the Olympiads or crack a competitive exam, study facing east and if you want to rule the world, you must meditate and strategize facing south :P
They say that every temple has its own hidden treasure. (Hey! I'm Aditi and let me just tell you 'they' means Kanksha!) (Aditi, get back to point!!) Okay so, We were not allowed to step into the cellars and explore them. That is just so sad! I mean the temple is extremely old and is as deep under ground as it is high above. Now what's the fun in going to such an ancient temple unless you are allowed to explore the dungeons, aka cellars! The mysteries of these cellars, we will keep on procrastinating about!
This Ranakpur Jain temple is a structure which is one of a kind. It was even one of the nominees of the wonders of the world and that is saying something!
P.S.- You must have realised we haven't told you what west stands for! So go ahead, find out and comment.
For all those who don't know, this structure so intricately built has 1444 pillars and is in the shape of a 'dev viman'.(Well, if you're thinking about counting them, here's a peice of news. Many attempts have been made but the number has always been 1443 or 1445!) The story starts with a dream a king staying out there had. This king explained the dream to many well read architects but sadly, no one could understand what exactly the king wanted. One fine day, as fine the day was, the an illiterate architect came to the king. The architect did lots of prarthana (prayers) and tapasya (penance) and shockingly, reproduced exactly what the king had seen in his figure... From then, there was no looking back. People who had no idea of sculpting were asked to audition, and when passed, began to work in the real temple.
Two facts about this temple that sill never cease to fascinate us is how the designs in all the pillars are different and (secondly) the way the gods murthis are placed. Wherever one is, in whichever angle he or she is standing, he will always be able to see the idol of a god. This specimen of architecture is a mixture of mathematics, arts and religion. It is also one of the only temple in Asia which is built according to Vastu. You enter and face east, the passage to knowledge, north is the channel of health and wealth...then comes south which gives you power. So, basically, if you want to win in the Olympiads or crack a competitive exam, study facing east and if you want to rule the world, you must meditate and strategize facing south :P
They say that every temple has its own hidden treasure. (Hey! I'm Aditi and let me just tell you 'they' means Kanksha!) (Aditi, get back to point!!) Okay so, We were not allowed to step into the cellars and explore them. That is just so sad! I mean the temple is extremely old and is as deep under ground as it is high above. Now what's the fun in going to such an ancient temple unless you are allowed to explore the dungeons, aka cellars! The mysteries of these cellars, we will keep on procrastinating about!
This Ranakpur Jain temple is a structure which is one of a kind. It was even one of the nominees of the wonders of the world and that is saying something!
P.S.- You must have realised we haven't told you what west stands for! So go ahead, find out and comment.
nice!!...I didn't know that..
ReplyDeletemost interesting post of all those which i have read so far(I mean on ur blog)....but...oops...so many spelling errors...looks lyk u were in a hurry!!
-anonymous!!..:-)
Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteWe'll take care of the spellings next time :)