The very sight of these centres evoke feeling of purity and devotion, in the hearts of the pilgrims and draws them close to the Drive. The monuments make one feel that eternity has been preserved by mortal men, who have built brilliant architectural wonders to act as places of worship.

The various pilgrimage centres of different faiths are an excellent demonstration of communal harmony - an inherent component of the Rajasthan built magnificent forts and places but at the same time paid due attention to the today Rajasthan attracts thousands of devotees, pilgrims and lovers of art from all parts of the world to marvel at the wonders of architecture, craftsmanship and devotion.


» Jain Temple, Ranakpur
Ranakpur is located in the mountain ranges of Pali district, 23 kms away from the Phalna railway station. Ranakpur is reached after passing lush green valleys and streams and the heart capturing views drive away any fatigue of the journey. The Ranakpur Jain temples were built during the region of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century.

The entire temple area is enclosed within a wall. The main 'Chamukha' temple is dedicated to the trithankara Rishabdeoji and a four-faced image is enshrined in the inner sanctum, open on all four sides.

An enormous basement cover 48,000 sq. feet are. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared halls and eight domes supported by over four hundred columns. The total number of columns is 1,444, all which are intricetrly carved, no two being alike.


» Brahma Temple, Pushkar
The Brahma temple is an important pilgrim centre for the Hindus. It is nestled in the Pushkar valley which lies beyond Nagaparvat and the Anasagar lake. This place, full of natural beauty, holds a special place in the hearts of Indians for it is believed that Lord Brahma, together with all the gods and goddesses, performed a Yagya here. Legend also has it that the ancient lake Sarovar had appeared miraculously, when a lotus fell from the hands of Lord Brahma and dropped into the this valley. The image of Brahmaji in Pushkar is in a seated Palthi position.


» Govind Devji Temple, Jaipur
In Jaipur, the Pink City, many temples are well known for their artistic beauty but the Govind Devji temple is special.

It enshrines an idol which has been worshiped by the royal family of Jaipur ever since it was brought from Vinadavan to Jaipur in the 18th century.

This temple dedicated to Lord Krishna has simple architecture with an open columned pavilion and a sightly sunken courtyard surrounded by a low balustrade. The image of Lord Krishna is believed to have been sculpted by Vijranath, the greatest sculptor of his age and the grandson of Lord Krishna.


» Dargah Sharif, Ajmer
The dargah Sharif or the place of Where the Muslim saint KhajwaMoinudin Chishti lie sburied, draws piligrams and devotees from all parts of the Islamic world.

But his admirers today come from all religions as the Dargah Sharif is considered a shrine where wishes are fulfiled.

The flow of piligrams is quite steady throught the year but at the time of the annual urs (death anniversary ceremonies of the saint ) which lasts for six days, lakhs of pilgrims from all parts of India as well as from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Eastern Asia converge upon the shrine.


» Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu
The Jain temples at Dilwara, near Mount Abu are considered to be masterpieces of temple architecture.

The Vimalvashi temple was built by the commander Vimalshah on the order of King Bhimdev in 1031 A.D. It took around 1,500 workers, several years to build. There are forty eight pillars, sixteen pillars have the images of females figures in dancing poses. The rang mandap is a beautiful piece of architecture.


» Prashvanath Temple
On the road from Jodhpur to Barmer, the Nakoda Parshvanath temple is situated in a valley surrounded by hills as high as 1,500 feet. Among the statues here, there is an image of the Jain saint (tirthankara) Parshvanath in black stone.

Beside this, there is another temple with high leading steps called the Shantinath temple.


» Eklingji Temple, Udaipur
24 kms north of Udaipur is the temple of Eklingji, the tutelary deity of the rulers of Mewar. It is a complex of 108 temples enclosed by high walls with bathing terraces leading down to the water.

The atmosphere excludes the fragrance of incense material such as dhoop, deep and sandalwood. The fifty feet high Eklingji temple has a multi- faced image of Lord Shiva made of black stone.

The various faces of Shiva can be seen in the four directions - the sun is east, Brahma in the west, Vishnu in the north and the Rudra in the south. In the centre of three images is the Shivlinga which is encircled by a silver snake. In this temple, Shiva is depicted with his family, Parvati and the elephant god Ganesh.


» Shri Mahavirji Temple
This Digember Jain piligram centre is 90 Kms by rail from sawai Madhopur on the Delhi-Mumbai Broad gauge route. The main temple is in side in inclouser known as katla. Accourdinfg to a legend , status of Shri Mahavirji, the 24th Jain tirthankar, was unearthed by a cowherd a few hundred years back. The place, in due course of time, become a pilgrim centre and attracts Jains far and wide.

The temple of Shri Mahawirji combines the modem & ancient style of architecture. It is raised on hung platfrom and is built mostly of white sandstone. The main Chattries are visiable from a distance and are built of red sandstone. The walls of the temple are illustrated with carvings of religious scenes.


» Other Important Places of Pilgrimage
"The city of Bels " Jhalraptan, has with in its ancient city walls the ruins of the Sun Temple. Many Jain Temples lay beyond it On The main Kota highway to Chittaurgarh and Udaipur Via Bundi lie some intresting temples.The First is Bijolia, a culctural centre of the chauhan kings in the 10th century. At the sites of the ancient Mahanal or great Chasm and Bijolia, there are temples of Lord Shiva with exquisite carvings of Shiva Parvati in different posses, dansers and musicians ,attendants and animals.

The road goes on to Menal, which has a group of 12th century temples. There is a big Nandi at the gate of the main temple. The carved images depict Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati in different postures.

65 kms from Jodhpur in a deserted valley the midst of sandy tracts of the Thar desert, stand the temples of Osian. Osian was once a sacred centre of Hinduism and Jainism, and the few Temples that remain are the last remnants of this ancient citadel of faith. In Nagaur, there is the Tarkin-Ki-Dargah which has an old mosque and it is held in reverence by many devotees. The Dargah is visited not only by Muslims but members of all communities who come here with a lot of devotion to pay homage.