Temples in Jhalawar
- 01
Chandrabhaga Temples
A riverside group of early medieval temples on the Chandrabhaga near Jhalrapatan, ruined but protected, with carved Nagara-style shrines and chhatris along the water.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning in October to March; during the Kartik fair the area is busy
- Tickets
- The complex is an ASI-protected monument; no fee is published, so confirm locally. It is also a bathing place for pilgrims, especially in the month of Kartik, when a fair is held. Dress modestly.
- 02
Sun Temple, Jhalrapatan
A tall stone temple from around the tenth or eleventh century in Jhalrapatan, known locally as the Surya or Padmanabha temple, with a carved tower that has earned it the nickname Konark of Rajasthan.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon for photographs; October to March for comfort
- Tickets
- No fee is published; confirm locally. This is a working temple dedicated to Vishnu in the form of Padmanabha, so dress modestly and remove footwear at the entrance. Ask before photographing the sanctum.
Forts in Jhalawar
- 03
Gagron Fort
A UNESCO-listed hill fort on a spur where the Ahu and Kali Sindh rivers meet, ringed by water on three sides. It is the reason most visitors come to Jhalawar.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours including the drive from Jhalawar
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to March; the river-side views are best just after the monsoon, but check that the approach is open
- Tickets
- Entry rules, timings and any fee are not clearly published and travel sources disagree. Confirm locally in Jhalawar before you set out. In the monsoon the river can submerge the approach, so ask about conditions on the day. A local guide is useful for finding your way around the ruins.
Palaces in Jhalawar
- 04
Garh Palace
The nineteenth-century palace at the centre of Jhalawar, built for the ruling family and now partly a museum and government offices. Its exterior and a few painted rooms are the interest.
- Time needed
- About 1 hour with the museum next door
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning in October to March, when the courtyards are cool
- Tickets
- Parts of the palace are used for government offices and many rooms are not open to visitors. Public access to painted rooms is informal and varies; ask on arrival. The Government Museum, which occupies the eastern wing, has its own ticket.
Museums in Jhalawar
- 05
Government Museum Jhalawar
One of Rajasthan's older museums, begun in 1915 and now housed in the eastern wing of Garh Palace, with sculptures, paintings, manuscripts and inscriptions from the region.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Any time of year; a good heat-of-the-day or rainy-day stop
- Tickets
- Ticketed and run by the Rajasthan Archaeological and Museums Department. Published sources list low fees for Indian visitors, higher for foreign visitors, and a closure on Mondays, but timings and a lunch break vary, so check on arrival.
Day trips in Jhalawar
- 06
Kolvi Caves
A cluster of around fifty rock-cut Buddhist caves cut into a laterite hill, with stupas and weathered Buddha figures. It is remote and rough, but rare for this region.
- Time needed
- Full day including the drive
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- October to March; avoid the monsoon when roads and paths turn muddy
- Tickets
- The caves are an ASI-protected monument. No fee is published and there are few facilities; confirm access locally. Do not climb on the stupas or touch the carvings, and take water with you.
