Kieran’s guidebook
Khandar Highlights
Some of the many activities guests can explore on a trip to the Khandar Area
Built by ancient Kings of Mewar, Khandar Fort's dramatic form is visible from almost anywhere in the area. Over its long existence, it has been controlled by many of India's most illustrious rulers, and legend has it that the impenetrable hill it sits on prevented its ruler from ever losing a war. Explore the fort's seven temples, two massive stone-cut tanks, and ruined Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace) on your visit to this little visited gem. Afterwards, eat at the famous Narsingha Dhar picnic spot, where crystal clear water drips out of natural rock filters before an incredible view of the Chambal Basin. Keep an eye out, tigers and leopards have been known to take refuge among the fort's ruins!
Khandar Fort
Built by ancient Kings of Mewar, Khandar Fort's dramatic form is visible from almost anywhere in the area. Over its long existence, it has been controlled by many of India's most illustrious rulers, and legend has it that the impenetrable hill it sits on prevented its ruler from ever losing a war. Explore the fort's seven temples, two massive stone-cut tanks, and ruined Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace) on your visit to this little visited gem. Afterwards, eat at the famous Narsingha Dhar picnic spot, where crystal clear water drips out of natural rock filters before an incredible view of the Chambal Basin. Keep an eye out, tigers and leopards have been known to take refuge among the fort's ruins!
This famous temple sits at the sangam (confluence) of the Chambal and Banas rivers. Groups of worshippers sing and pray here twenty-four hours a day, switching off so the temple never goes silent. Nearby, a beautiful ghat leads down to the Chambal, which is said to be the cleanest large river in India due to superstitions around development near it because of an ancient curse placed by Queen Draupadi. The Chambal is also one of the principal tributaries of the Ganga, India's holiest river. Lucky visitors can see rare Gharial Crocodiles from its banks.
Shree Chaturbhuj Maharaaj Mandir, Rameshwar Dham, Khandar
This famous temple sits at the sangam (confluence) of the Chambal and Banas rivers. Groups of worshippers sing and pray here twenty-four hours a day, switching off so the temple never goes silent. Nearby, a beautiful ghat leads down to the Chambal, which is said to be the cleanest large river in India due to superstitions around development near it because of an ancient curse placed by Queen Draupadi. The Chambal is also one of the principal tributaries of the Ganga, India's holiest river. Lucky visitors can see rare Gharial Crocodiles from its banks.
Visitors to the banks of the Chambal can take a short ferry ride across the river to the state of Madhya Pradesh, where this village and temple lie. Small wooden ferry boats plie the crocodile filled waters by paddle, carrying families and motorcycles. Before a bridge was opened connecting Rajasthan and MP in the 2000s, these boats were the only way to travel across the Chambal. But that bridge is 20km away, so today the ferries remain integral to the livelihoods of the villages on either side of the Chambal.
Ramesaur Shiv G Mandir
Visitors to the banks of the Chambal can take a short ferry ride across the river to the state of Madhya Pradesh, where this village and temple lie. Small wooden ferry boats plie the crocodile filled waters by paddle, carrying families and motorcycles. Before a bridge was opened connecting Rajasthan and MP in the 2000s, these boats were the only way to travel across the Chambal. But that bridge is 20km away, so today the ferries remain integral to the livelihoods of the villages on either side of the Chambal.
The Chambal Sanctuary allows visitors to see exotic birds and two types of crocodiles up close. Tourist boats lead tours up and down the river to places where Mugger crocodiles and the rare Gharial crocodile - which only exists in large numbers in the Chambal - swim and sunbathe. In addition to crocodiles, gangetic dolphins, rare turtles, jackals, otters, herons, egrets, storks, cranes, and hundreds of other bird species call the river home, and are often spotted on tours.
National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary Palighat Ranthambhore Sawai Madhopur
The Chambal Sanctuary allows visitors to see exotic birds and two types of crocodiles up close. Tourist boats lead tours up and down the river to places where Mugger crocodiles and the rare Gharial crocodile - which only exists in large numbers in the Chambal - swim and sunbathe. In addition to crocodiles, gangetic dolphins, rare turtles, jackals, otters, herons, egrets, storks, cranes, and hundreds of other bird species call the river home, and are often spotted on tours.
Sitting on the edge of Ranthambore National Park, locals and visitors head to this dam for its fantastic views into the back of the park, which is off limits to tourist safaris and otherwise unseen. The area hosts crocodiles, tigers, and exotic birds, but most breathtaking is the view of the Aravalli hills reflected perfectly in the reservoir's still waters. The best time to go is around sunset.
Gilai Sagar Dam
Sitting on the edge of Ranthambore National Park, locals and visitors head to this dam for its fantastic views into the back of the park, which is off limits to tourist safaris and otherwise unseen. The area hosts crocodiles, tigers, and exotic birds, but most breathtaking is the view of the Aravalli hills reflected perfectly in the reservoir's still waters. The best time to go is around sunset.
This park hosts an old, richly decorated step well that is often filled with water during the rainy season and winter. Although not much is known about this particular well, other step-wells around Western India were built, mostly between the 11th and 16th centuries, as a way of accessing reliable groundwater sources. Pumping technology has reduced the need for these elaborately decorated wells, so today they stand testament to India's long history of technological and artistic sophistication. Khandar is home to two step wells, with the other being even more beautiful, and a convenient stop on the trip from Sawai Madhopur to the homestay.
Banjara Ki Chatari, Park
This park hosts an old, richly decorated step well that is often filled with water during the rainy season and winter. Although not much is known about this particular well, other step-wells around Western India were built, mostly between the 11th and 16th centuries, as a way of accessing reliable groundwater sources. Pumping technology has reduced the need for these elaborately decorated wells, so today they stand testament to India's long history of technological and artistic sophistication. Khandar is home to two step wells, with the other being even more beautiful, and a convenient stop on the trip from Sawai Madhopur to the homestay.
Closely hugging the steep mountain of Khandar Fort, the old town of Khandar is home to winding, ancient streets, a lively market, and several beautiful temples - both Hindu and Jain. Shri Ji Mandir is the town's oldest Hindu temple, and it's pink walls have a great view of the fort looming over head. The town's oldest and most beatiful jain temple sits half a block from Shri Ji Mandir, and the people who frequent it are welcoming and friendly. Joining them for a religious ceremony is one of the highlights of a trip to Khandar.
Shri Ji Mandir
Closely hugging the steep mountain of Khandar Fort, the old town of Khandar is home to winding, ancient streets, a lively market, and several beautiful temples - both Hindu and Jain. Shri Ji Mandir is the town's oldest Hindu temple, and it's pink walls have a great view of the fort looming over head. The town's oldest and most beatiful jain temple sits half a block from Shri Ji Mandir, and the people who frequent it are welcoming and friendly. Joining them for a religious ceremony is one of the highlights of a trip to Khandar.
The Khandar area's best attractions are its villages. While they may not hold many "sites" in the traditional sense, villages nonetheless offer a fascinating cultural experience to outsiders. Whether learning about traditional crafts of the region, picking guava (a regional specialty) on a local farm, learning how to make pottery, helping out at a local school, preparing and eating regional recipes for dinner with freshly picked ingredients, or simply talking to locals about their lives and sharing about your own, spending time in villages will allow you to interact with the people who make the Khandar area special. Bablu lives in a village called Suwas, but there are many others in the area that are all interesting in their own way, and we'd be happy to show you.
Baler
The Khandar area's best attractions are its villages. While they may not hold many "sites" in the traditional sense, villages nonetheless offer a fascinating cultural experience to outsiders. Whether learning about traditional crafts of the region, picking guava (a regional specialty) on a local farm, learning how to make pottery, helping out at a local school, preparing and eating regional recipes for dinner with freshly picked ingredients, or simply talking to locals about their lives and sharing about your own, spending time in villages will allow you to interact with the people who make the Khandar area special. Bablu lives in a village called Suwas, but there are many others in the area that are all interesting in their own way, and we'd be happy to show you.