Famous Temples In and Around Udaipur

Udaipur is famous for its lofty lakes, huge palaces, massive forts and artistic temples. The word 'Temple' itself brings a sense of reverence in the mind. A tour doesn't only mean roaming round the substantial worldly structures, but something that has a spiritual appeal too. The temples in and around Udaipur are famous for their striking architecture and religious nature. The temples foreshadow the cultural aspect of Udaipur. There are numerous temples in and around Udaipur that are famous for their architecture and sacredness. The noble kings of Udaipur had always been great advocates of religion. It shows that the foundation of this beautiful city is blessed by these temples. The temples also depict the spiritual and aesthetic nature of the city dwellers of Udaipur. Many of these temples are acknowledged as the holy pilgrimages of the Hindus. In Udaipur, Jagdish Temple is the well-known temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Around Udaipur, you can visit Eklingji Temple, Rishabdeo Temple, Ranakpur Temples, Nathdwara Temple, Jagat Temple and Kankroli Temple. All these temples are dedicated to several forms of God. The following links will give you a comprehensive view about all these temples of Udaipur.

#1 Bohra Ganesh Temple

Bohra Ganesh Ji a very old and famous temple of Udaipur is situated near Mohanlal Sukhadia University. A standing statue of Shri Ganesh Ji has been established which bestow blessings to hundreds of devotees visiting every day. In India it is a custom to worship Lord Ganesh whenever something new is started like new business, new asset or starting a new relationship. Wednesday is considered as the special day to worship Lord Ganesha. Thousands of devotees visit Bohra Ganesh Ji temple to offer Prayer and Prasad (Sweets) to Shri Ganesh Ji. Without his worship no holy work is considered to be complete

#2 Karni Mata Temple

Karni Mata Temple is situated at Machhla Hills and surrounded by the bliss of the nature. Being situated at height, people can enjoy the panoramic view of Lake Pichhola, Dudh Talai and Sajjangarh. The sunset could be enjoyed in the evening from the sunset point built beside the temple. The temple could be reached through the rope way that starts from Dudh Talai or through stairs that starts from Deendayal Upadhyay Park. Maharana Karan Singh made residence at Machhla Magra between 1620 and 1628. During this time the temple was built. For a long time it remained as a deserted place and in 1997 Manshapurna Karni Mata Development Committee renovated it.

#3 Jagdish Temple

Jagdish Temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh of Udaipur. Maharana Jagat Singh had deep devotion in Lord Jaganath Puri of Orissa. He used to visit Jagan Nath temple in every annual rath yatra. At one occasion he could not reached at the rath yatra on time and he had to halt in the midst of his journey. Maharana got disappointed a lot that he could not attend the rath yatra. When re reached there he had a dream in which the Lord told him that there is no need to travel such long distance and he could made a temple in his city itself. After returning Udaipur he started the construction of the temple.

Jagdish Temple is one of the famous temples of Udaipur. Located in the City Palace complex of Udaipur, this temple is made in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture. In 1651, Jagdish temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh, who ruled Udaipur during 1628-53.

Built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 the temple enshrines a black stone image of Lard Vishnu. There is a brass image of Garuda the Lord bird carrier. The exterior and the plinth are covered with base relief of alligators; elephants, horsemen and celestial musicians rise in tiers.

#4 Neemach Mata

Neemach Mata is a famous temple in Udaipur and it is situated at a small hill top near Fateh Sagar Lake. According to the residents here this temple is also considered as Vaishno Devi of Udaipur. The name Neemach Mata came due to its origin, which is under a Neem tree. People here believe that those who come here regularly and offer their worship never get any skin ailments due to the strong spiritual spirit of the neem tree. Several pilgrims and tourists visit the Neemach Mata temple every year.

#5 Ambamata Temple

The Ambamata Temple deserves the fame as it is one of the main temple of Udaipur. The temple too has a fascinating story behind its construction. It is been said that the erstwhile Maharana of Udaipur Maharana Raj Singh had severe eye problem that did not recovered after treatment. Someone suggested Maharana Raj Singh to have darshan of Amba Mata in Gujarat. At the night before the departure for his journey he had a dream of Goddesses that told him to construct the temple in Udaipur. Next day Maharana visited the place where he found the statue of Ambamata and started the construction of the temple and his ailment also recovered very soon.

#6 Sagasji Bavji Temple

Sagasji Bavji temple is situated at Sarvaritu Vilas. Sagasji Bavji is worshiped as a symbol of bravery as people say that he never lost a war in his life. Sagasji was son of Maharaj Raj Singh. When Sagasji lost his life his wife Maharani Kunwariprada became a sati. Every year Sagasji’s birthday is celebrated with full glory and fervor. Thousands of devotees wait in long queues to have a glimpse of Sagasji Maharaj. There is a large idol of Ganesh Ji that catches eye of devotees visiting the temple. On his birthday the temple remains open for 24 hours for few days. The occasion is celebrated with night jagrans and the crowd enjoys with full enthusiasm and vigor.

#7 Mahalaxmi Temple

The Mahalaxmi Temple is situated at Bhattiyani Chohatta and it was named after Bhati Rani who developed this area. It is said that the temple was built by Maharana Shambhu Singh who fought a battle and brought idols of Mahalaxmi, Rishabhdev and Sundar Vinayak. Mahalaxmi is considered Goddess of wealth and prosperity and worshipped by everyone. The birthday of Mahalaxmi is celebrated every year with fervor and passion. Devotees visits temple and wait in long queues to offer their prayers and Prasad. On the day of Deepawali the temple opens at 5.30 am with the Mangla Aarti. His highness Shri Arvind Singh Mewar visits the temple every Diwali to offer prayers on the occasion of the holy festival of lights.

#8 Mahakaleshwar Temple

The marvelous Mahakaleshwar Temple is situated at the bank of Fatehsagar Lake opposite Panna Vilas surrounded by the lush green Aravali Hills. The temple is spread around 3.5 acres of land and great saints like Guru Gorakhnath, the dignified devotee of Lord Shiva, has worshipped here. The devotees have strong faith in Lord Shiva and every day huge number of devotees visits temple to have a glimpse of Mahakaleshwar. The temple opens at 5.30 am with the first prayer and the last prayer takes place at 10.30 pm and the prayers are attended by hundreds of devotees. On special occasions the Rudrabhishek is also performed here by the temple priests.

#9 Jagat Temple

Ambika Mata Temple is a small shrine made in crevice of a rock. The temple dedicated to Goddess Ambika (a form of Goddess Durga). Being located at the village called Jagat in Rajasthan, the temple is also known as Jagat Temple. The shrine is comfortably positioned at a distance of 58kms in the south-east of Udaipur.

#10 Jag Mandir

This is the other island palace in Lake Pichola, which was constructed by Maharana Karan Singh as a hideout for Prince Khurram the estranged son of Emperor Jehangir the implacable foe of the Maharana. The reason for the aid was that the prince was the son of a Rajput mother. It is also said that Shah Jahan [prince Khurram] derived some of these ideas for the Taj Mahal from this palace when he stayed there in 1623-24. The island has some striking carving including a row of elephants that looks as though they are guarding the island. The exquisitely carved chhatri in grey and blue stone is another example.

#11 Old Shrinathji Temple Ghasiyar

It is called as the Old Shrinath Ji Temple and it holds very long history behind construction of this temple. Shrinath Ji temple was made in Nathdwara and Shrinath Ji were well settled in Nathdwara temple. Soon Nathdwara faced attack from Scindia army. Having seen the glory and beautiful architecture of Nathdwara he threatened and asked for 3 Lacs gold coins as ransom. The Maharana of Udaipur being heard this soon made the arrangements to move Shrinath Ji to Udaipur. While Shrinath Ji moved to Udaipur a similar replica of Udaipur haveli was started building at a place called Ghasiyar. The scenic place was situated in midst of Gokunda Mountains. After keeping Shrinath Ji to Ghasiyar after some time they were again moved to Nathdwara. And this way the place Ghasiyar became famous as the Shrinath Ji temple.

#12 Ekling Ji Temple

Ekling Ji temple is situated 22 kilometers far from Udaipur. It is said that the forefathers of Bappa Rawal ruled the Mewar dynasty. They had enmity with the Mauryas. The Mauryas wanted to kill their family. His mother escaped and came to a place known as Kailashpuri. Bappa started grazing herd of cows. One day he noticed that a cow entered into the dense bushes and at a lonely place and started shredding milk. The place was later recognized as shivalingam and after that Ekling ji temple was built by Bappa Rawal.

Eklingji Temple is one of the most famous temples of Rajasthan. Located in the town of Eklingji (Kailashpuri), the place got its popular name from the temple. Eklingji Temple is positioned at a distance of 22 km in the north of Udaipur, on the national highway no. 8.

A RELIGIOUS COMPLEX Northern region of Mewar (22 Kms) It houses 108 temples chiselled out of sandstone and marble, this temple of Eklingji was built in 734 AD. Enclosed by high walls, it is devoted to Eklingji (A form of Shiv Deity adored under the epithet of EKLINGA).

#13 Shrinath Ji Temple

Shrinath Ji temple is situated at Nathdwara, which is around 50 kilometers from Udaipur city and it is also termed as the gateway to lord Shrinath Ji. The temple was built in 17th century and owes a great story behind it. It is said that an idol of Lord Krishna was transferred to a distant and safer place from Vrindavan. There were chances of its destruction of the idol by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. When the idol reached this placed the bull cart stuck in deep mud and could not moved further. The priest accompanying the idol thought it as the right place and therefore Shrinath Ji temple was built in Nathdwara. The spirituality of the temple is so strong that from the poorest to richest person in the world including celebrities & stars visit Shrinath Ji temple for darshans and manoraths.

Nathdwara is a small town in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Situated at a distance of 48kms in the north-east of Udaipur, Nathdwara is sited on the right bank of Banas River. Nathdwara is famous for its 17th century temple that is dedicated to Lord Shrinathji (Lord Krishna).

This great Vaishnavite shrine was built in the 17th century on spot exactly defined by the Lord himself. The legends have it that the image of the Lord Krishna was being transferred to safer place from Vrindaban to protect it from the destructive wrath of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

#14 Dwarikadhish Temple (Kankroli)

Kankroli is a small town, located at a distance of 65 kms from the city of Udaipur. Kankroli is mainly known for its temple, which is sited on the banks of renowned Rajsamand Lake. Kankroli Temple is popularly called as temple of Dwarikadhish. Dwarikadhish is one of the names of Lord Krishna.

#15 Rishabh Dev Ji

Shri Rishabh Dev Digambar Jain Atishay Kshetra is situated at Dhulev village at Udaipur. The place became famous as Rishabh Dev due to the miracles of Bhagwan Adinath (Rishabh Dev). This is also known as Kesariya Ji because there is a tradition of worshipping the idol with Kesar (Saffron). The idol having black color is also known as Kalia Baba and the local people call it by this name. The place is surrounded by the magnificent Aravali Mountain Range. The idol established here is very ancient as it even does not provide any information at the base. It is also said that this idol was worshipped by Acharya Vidyanand in 9th century. Few ancient petro graphs were also found here that reveals that this Khetra was renovated from time to time.

Rishabhdeo Temple is an important pilgrimage site for followers of Jain religion. The temple is located on Udaipur-Ahmedabad road, at a distance of 65 kms from the city of Udaipur in Dhulev. Dhulev is a small town that is also known as Rikhabdeo.

#16 Ranakpur Temple

Ranakpur Temples are acclaimed world-wide for their intricate and superb architectural style. These temples form one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jains. Located in village of Ranakpur near Sadri town in the Pali district of Rajasthan.