After setting up and ensuring a flourishing business, in plastic, Goregaon businessman Bharat Sharma is now bowing to a higher calling. He has dedicated himself to reviving the lost glory of a 600-year-old Jain temple, situated in the middle of the largely unknown Ranakpur jungle, about 90km from Udaipur in Rajasthan.
Sharma is a 19th generation descendent of Prithvirajji sevak, the first chief priest of the temple, which was started by Seth Dharnasha Porwal in 1446. Dharnasha was the finance minister of Rana Kumbha of Mewar.
"Natural calamities and Mughal invasion led by emperor Aurangzeb left the temple devastated for centuries. Now, I want to help as much as possible to revive the lost glory," said Sharma, in a chat with dna.
He is being helped in his efforts by descendents of Seth Dharnasha and those of Deepaji Sompura (the original architect of the temple). The beautiful temple was once visited by Mughal emperor Akbar, who was deeply impressed by its beauty and teachings. An inscription regarding Akbar's visit is displayed on one of the pillars of the temple.
The efforts being made by Sharma and his family and others, along with the temple management, are slowly resulting in an increasing number of tourists, including foreign, making a beeline for it. Some of the prominent hotels and resorts — Mana, Devgad and Jojawar — have made the temple a part of their tourism circuit.
Manager of Mana hotel Hari Singh Rathod said, "The effort to popularise the temple is helping build tourism around it."
According to the temple management, the structure is spread over an area of 48,000 sqft and made of Sevali and Sonana stones. It is supported by 1,444 pillars with none similar to any other in design and none obstructing the pilgrims' view of the deity. The temple also has sculptures of Hindu gods, including references to Ramayana and Mahabharata.
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