Top Places to visit in Karauli, Rajasthan

Karauli (also formerly spelled Karoli or Kerowlee) is a city located in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The city is the administrative center of Karauli District, and was formerly the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Karauli. Karauli District comes under Bharatpur Divisional Commissionerate.

Karauli District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The town of Karauli is the district headquarters. Karauli District comes under Bharatpur Divisional Commissionerate. Karauli is famous for popular red-stone.

The population of the district is 1,458,248 (2011 census), indicating a population density is 264 persons per km2.

Monuments

Shri Mahavirji

Shri Mahavirji Jain temple, Karauli

Shri Mahavirji is one of the miraculous pilgrimages of Jains. This pilgrimage situated at Hindaun Block in Karauli district. Built at the bank of a river, this pilgrimage is a prominent centre of devotion for Jain devotees. The temple is known for its idol of Lord Mahavira, the principal deity of the pilgrimage temple. Jaipur rulers provided grants for the management of this temple.

Shri Mahavirji is ornamented with many pinnacles. This temple is surrounded by Dharmashalas. The exterior and interior walls of the temple are decorated with carvings and golden paintings. Shantinath Jinalaya is also present near this temple, the main attraction of the temple is an imposing 32 ft high image of Lord Shantinath, the 16th Jain tirthankar.

Kaila Devi Temple

Kailadevi temple

Kaila Devi (Goddess) temple is located on the banks of the Kalisil river in Karauli district. The temple is devoted to the tutelary deity, goddess Kaila, of the erstwhile princely rulers of the Karauli state. It is marble structures with a large courtyard of a checkered floor. In one place are a number of red flags planted by devotees. A fair is held here during the dark half of Chaitra (March–April), which lasts for a fortnight.

In the sanctum sanctorum, there are two idols. The idol of Kaila Devi is slightly reclined as the neck of the goddess is bend. The idols are very old and they are made of the locally available stone. The temple is a fine example of medieval architecture. The shikhar is very high, like a pyramid. The Jagmohan or the prayer hall is also the same. The ornamental work, engraving and encarving have been done on walls and pillars. The temple stands on a rocky elevation.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Karauli had a population of 82,960. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Karauli has an average literacy rate of 53%, lower than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 65%, and female literacy is 41%. In Karauli, 19% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Getting here

By road

The district of Karauli is well connected by the network of road to other major and minor cities and towns of Rajasthan and rest of India. This district is nearly 170 km away from Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. There are number of private and government buses plying between Karauli and rest of Rajasthan cities. The tourist can hire a taxi to move around and visit the major and minor destinations of this district.

By train

The major railway stations are Hindaun City (HAN), Shri Mahaveer Ji (SMVJ) and Gangapur City, that connect to Karauli, and other minor rail heads are Phatehsinghpura railway station, Suroth, Khandeep, Narayanpur Tatbada, and Sikroda Meena. These railway stations are located on Delhi-Kota main route and on the broad gauge of Northern Western Railway line. This particular railway line has good connectivity to various parts of the country.

Karauli is a proposed rail line via Gangapur City-Karauli-Dholpur. This line is under Allahabad Zone. Sanctioned since 2006, work on this line is in progress and will complete soon.

By air

Jaipur Sanganer Airport is the nearest airport from where you can reach the district of Karauli. It is nearly 170 km from the airport. You can or hire a taxi to reach this district headquarters. The other airport that is a bit far from Karauli is Kheria Airport. There are regular flights connectivity between other major and minor airports of Rajasthan such as Udaipur, Karauli and Aurangabad. These airports have daily flights to major cities of India like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

Tourist places

Kaila Devi Temple: Kaila Devi Temple is a Hindu temple situated 23 km from Karauli and 37 km from Gangapur City in the Rajasthan state in India. The temple is located on the banks of the Kalisil river, a tributary of the Banas River in the hills of Trikut, 2 km to the north-west of Kaila village. The temple is dedicated to the tutelary deity, goddess Kaila Devi, of the erstwhile princely Jadaun Rajput rulers of the Karauli state. It is a marble structure with a large courtyard of a checkered floor. In one place are a number of red flags planted by devotees.

Madan Mohan Ji Temple: Madan Mohan is a form of the Hindu god, Krishna. Krishna is celebrated as Madan Mohan, who mesmerises everyone. His consort, Radha is glorified as Madan Mohan's Mohini, the mesmeriser of the mesmeriser for spiritual aspirants. Radha is known as the mediator without whom access to Krishna is not possible. Originally from Shri Vrindavan, Madan Mohan ji went to Amer in Jaipur with Raja Sawai Jai Singh II - the founder of Jaipur and from there was brought to Karauli in Rajasthan by Maharaj Gopal Singh after he conquered the battle of Daulatabad.

Mehandipur Balaji Temple: Mehandipur Balaji Mandir is a mandir in the Indian state of Rajasthan dedicated to the Hindu God Hanuman. The name Balaji is applied to Sri Hanuman in several parts of India because the childhood (Bala in Hindi or Sanskrit) form of the Lord is especially celebrated there. It is important to note that the temple is not dedicated to Balaji another name for Krishna. Unlike similar religious sites it is located in a town rather than the countryside. Its reputation for ritualistic healing and exorcism of evil spirits attracts many pilgrims from Rajasthan and elsewhere.

Shri Mahavir Ji Temple: Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple is in Hindaun City, Karauli district in Rajasthan, India. Earlier known as Chandanpur, this small village became famous as a Jain religious site after an ancient idol of Mahaveer was excavated from its soil several hundred years ago. It was then renamed as Shri Mahaveer Ji This idol was excavated over 200 years ago from the same spot, after which the temple was constructed. Thousands of worshipers flock from across India to catch a glimpse of this famous statue.

Nakkash Ki Devi - Gomti Dham: Nakkash Ki Devi - Gomti Dham Temple is in Hindaun City, Karauli district in Rajasthan, India. Nakkash Ki Devi is a Hindu Devi Temple of Durga Mata and Gomti Dham is a Temple and Vatika(ashram) of Gomti Dass Ji Maharaj.

Bhanwar Vilas Palace: Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo Bahadur, the great monarch of Karauli, got the ancient fortress built in the year 1938. It was preordained to function as the palatial house of the old regal family. Classical buildings with royal panache and antique historical fittings in the spacious interiors are some of the main basic qualities of the Bhanwar Vilas Palace. Recently partially transformed into a rich heritage hotel, it still privately accommodates the wealthy imperial clan of Karauli.

Kaila Devi Sanctuary: The Kaila Devi Wildlife Sanctuary begins right after the temple and runs along both sides of the road all the way to Karanpur, and further on to join the Ranthambhore National Park. Chinkaras, nilgai, jackals and leopards are to be found here, as are birds such as sandpipers and kingfishers.

City Palace: Arjun Pal built the palace, along with the town, in the 14th century. However, little or nothing of the original can now be seen. What you do see is the structure erected by Raja Gopal Singh in the 18th century. He chose to adopt the Delhi style of architecture – the abundance of red sandstone in Karauli, similar to that used in Delhi, made the rendering easy. The more embellished additions came in the 19th century. White and off-white stones have been used very becomingly, painted upon with bright blues, reds, browns and oranges. From the terrace atop the palace, you can see the town laid out by the River Bhadrawati below, and the ravines and hills beyond.

Chhatri of Raja Gopal Singh: The chhatri of Raja Gopal Singh, outside the Nadi Gate leading out of the palace to the river below, is stunningly adorned with frescoes. Dayanand Saraswati, the 19th century reformer and founder of the Arya Samaj, is said to have given a sermon here.

Timan Garh Fort: 40 km from the district headquarters in the heart of the hills on the edge of the historic Sea reservoir built in 1244 AD, the fort was built by Timnpal Yaduwanshi ruler. Museum of architecture with architectural sculptures is called a precious treasure of the fort.

Dev Giri Fort: Located 70 km from the district headquarters near Krnpur Untgiri, Durg devgiri is historical. In the present case in that they are cap - are cap Durg is strategically important. Located on the banks of Chambal high hills Durgo old statues and remains of palaces. Chambal River flows nearby crocodile is found in large quantities.

Mandrayal: 40 km from the district headquarters is Mndrayl Durg. The year 1327 was dominated by Arjun Dev about the ruler of Karauli. The Trinity Baradari temple, located in the middle of the court, and is worth a visit Bala Durg. Rhugat in Chambal River flows nearby waterfall, crocodile century is worth seeing.

Gadhmora: Located 90 kilometers from the district headquarters in the lap of the Aravalli mountain chain Gdmora is a historical town. The castle on the hill in Gdmora Rajamordwaj, Temple, Konark style wall and Buddhists stupas 13th - 14th century architecture is superior specimen Kedar Nath Baba's cave, 13 km long, as well as to present the historical fair every year Makarsankranti. Lord Devnarayan temple, Narayani Mata temple, throughout the year of continuous running water reservoir, Shivmath 1100 years old, The only son Hanuman temple Makardhwaj and perform natural environment attract tourists to their side.

Gufa Temple: Gufa temple is believed to be the original temple of Kaila Devi. The native and foreign tourists are requested not to venture into this region as this forest area is dotted with wild animals. This temple falls under the jungle of the Ranthambore. The devotees walk nearly 8–10 km from the town in order to reach this temple and have darshan.

Forts in Karauli

Timangarh Fort: Timangarh Fort is located in proximity of Karauli, in the Masalpur sub-tehsil. According to historians, the fort was built in 1100 AD but was destroyed soon after by an attack. In 1244 AD, Raja Timanpal, the scion of Vijay Pal, reconstructed the fort.

It is believed that there are ancient ashtadhatu as well as stone idols and sculptures hidden under the temples of the fort complex. Visitors can also see the religious, geometrical and flower patterned carvings on the rooftops and pillars of the temples. These pillars are also adorned with carvings of several gods and goddesses.

Ancient records discovered at the site corroborate the belief that the fort was occupied by Mohammad Gouri's forces from 1196 to 1244 AD. There is a Sagar Lake at the side of the fort, which is believed to have a Paras stone at its bottom.

Ramathra Fort: Ramathra Fort is situated in Sapotra in the Karauli District of Rajasthan. The fort is located between Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur and Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Sawai Madhopur. At a distance of 15 km from the fort is located Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary. Within its premises, the attraction contains the fort, the lake and countryside.

Maharaja of Karauli granted the fort as jagir (fiefdom) in 1645 AD to Thakur Bhoj Pal, his son. The fort is currently managed by Thakur Brijendra Raj Pal and his family. Within the fort lie Ganesh Mandir and Shiva Mandir that houses a marble idol of Lord Shiva displaying the craftsmanship of the early 18th century.

From the fort, tourists can enjoy the views of the farmland, rugged scrub of the Daang Plateau, Kalisil Lake and its irrigation canal. The lake is visited by numerous water birds from the nearby Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Owing to its location in part of a green farming belt in the Kalisil River Valley, the area around the fort abounds with greenery.

Amargarh Fort: Amargarh Fort is located on a hill top in the village of Amargarh in Rajasthan. This 250-year-old fort was built under the supervision of Raja Amar Mal, after whom it was named. The fort is surrounded with greenery and a field of local crops. Moreover, tourists visiting the fort can also view the forests and mountains all around it.

Forest

The forest covers an area of 172,459 hectares in 2010–11, which is about 30% of total geographical area of the district's 504,301 hectares. As per the records of 2011–12. total 895.2 mm rainfall was recorded against 565 mm average rainfall.

Administrative setup

Karauli City is the district headquarters of Karauli district, which is divided into 7 tehsils, 6 subdivisions, 223 panchayats, 881 villages, 5 panchayat samiti and 2 Nagar Parishad, 1 Nagarpalika.

Subdivisions in Karauli District

Hindaun Subdivision

Karauli

Todabhim

Nadoti

Sapotra

mandrail

suroth

Panchayat Samiti in Karauli

Hindaun Panchayat Samiti

Karauli

Todabhim

Nadoti

Sapotra

mandrayal

Nagar- Parishad & Palika

Hindaun City

Karauli

Todabhim

Weather

The climatic condition of Karauli district is throughout the year sunny temperature ranging between high 35 °C and low 23 °C. The humidity of this region ranges from 31 to 35% with a dew point of 11° to 15°. The winds speed is NW 11–15 km/h. The chance of precipitation may be 30% to 40%. During the rainy season the village gets scattered showers. This region is termed to be dry climate area of subtropical region. There is also distinct winter and long summer season. The recorded highest temperature is 49 °C during May–June and lowest temperature is 20 °C during January. The average rainfall recorded in this district is 880 mm. The monsoon season falls in July to September.

Best time to visit

It is to be highly noted that the native and foreign tourist can visit this district between March and April, when the annual fair is conducted in Kaila Devi Temple. During the rest of the year also is the best time to visit this particular district. It is to be remembered that between June to September, this region faces rainy season. If you are comfortable with rainy season then these months are also pleasant months to visit this particular district.

Settlements

Hindaun

Karoli ke samacharRoli ki vid

Todabhim

Nadauti

Sapotara

Temples

There are four major temples in Karauli district, hence they are called Char Dham of Karauli:

Kaila Devi temple, Kaila devi, Karauli

Krishna temple, Karauli (Madan Mohan)

Mehandipur Balaji Temple, Todabhim

Anjani Mata Temple