In fact exquisitely carved temples and shrines of Rajasthan are the exponents of the architectural movement that took place in Rajasthan in 8th to 11th century.
The architecture of these temples of Rajasthan included plastic ornamentations consisting of motifs of foliation and curvaceous feminine forms, thus reflecting affinity for aesthetics and nature.
These splendid edifices speak volumes about the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Rajasthan artisans. Such masterworks are the Dilwara Temples- Mount Abu and the Someshvara Temple and so on.
The Dilwara temples are exquisitely and intricately carved in marble and exhibit awe- inspiring architectural patterns. However a large number of temples that boasted of beautiful architecture was demolished during the Muslim invasions.
New styles of temple architecture also emerged in the 8th and 9th century during the reign of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty from Mandore. Temples built around this era include the Ossian Temples - Jodhpur and Western Rajasthan and the temples at Chittorgarh.
These temples are characterized by a singular spire or sikhara with an intricately carved external chamber (mandup). The Solanki architectural style is reflected in the Hindu shrines at Kiradu in western Barmer. These temples have Temples at Kiradu in western known as style are known for sculpted murals.
During the 10th century many other Jain temples were raised in Southern Rajasthan and Ranakpur. The most remarkable among them are the Jain Temples- Jaisalmer.
The Brahma Temple-Ajmer is the only Hindu shrine in the world where Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe and one of the holy trinity is worshipped.
This temple is considered sacred next to Manas Sarovar in Tibet and draws thousands of devotees during the Pushkar Fair.
The Temple of Shrinathji, Nathdwara is the 17 the century Vaishnavite shrine which is one of the significant sites of Hindu pilgrimage. Another most interesting pilgrim site of the Hindus is the Mehandipur Balaji Temple, Dausa, where the deity of this shrine is said to have supernatural powers to heal a person possessed with evil spirit.
Ajmer Sharif - Ajmer is the sepulcher of the Sufi saint- Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and is one of the greatest Muslim shrines in India that draws copious pilgrims every year during the Urs Ajmer Sherif.
Other noteworthy temples and shrines of Rajasthan are-Birla Mandir - Jaipur, Eklingji Temple - Udaipur, Galta Temple - Jaipur, Govind Devji Temple - Jaipur and the Sas Bahu Temple - Udaipur.
