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Khandar Fort, situated in Khandar, is almost 40 kilometres from the centre of Sawai Madhopur district. It was built over a thousand years ago and was made by Kshatriya Badgujar rulers. The fort was ruled by the kings of different dynasties, such as Badgujars, Sisodias, and Mughals. There are three entrances in the fort, along with seven famous temples. The fort houses two water tanks known as Ramkunda and Laxmankunda and has seven small ponds. It was believed that the king who ruled Khandar Fort stayed undefeated due to its strategic location.
Quick Details About Khandar Fort
Khandar Fort Ticket Price: Free
Khandar Fort Address: Khandar, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan
Nearest Airport: Kota Airport
Nearest Railway Station: Ranthambore (RNT) Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Location
Photo: Vickyy143 / Wikimedia Commons
The Khandar Fort is in Goth Bihari village of Khandar town, located in Sawai Madhopur district. The fort is situated on a hill and is near the Hawa Mahal of Khandar and the Rani Mahal. The fort is built near the boundary of the Ranthambore National Park.
How To Reach Khandar Fort
Photo: Harshvardhanrai0905 / Wikimedia Commons
You can reach Khandar fort Rajasthan through air, road or rail:
By Rail: The nearest railway station to the Khandar Fort is Sawai Madhopur Railway Station. It is situated around 45 kilometres from the fort.
By Air: Kota Airport is the nearest airport to the Khandar Fort at a distance of 156 kilometres.
By Road: To reach the Khandar Fort you can opt for a rental jeep or a cab. Khandar bus stand is at a distance of 2 kilometres from the Khandar Fort.
Things To Do
There are various attractions within the fort that you can explore. Some of the things that you can do while visiting the fort are:
1. Learn About Its Rich History And Architecture
Photo: KDhar / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Khandar Fort has been built over a millennium and has been ruled under various dynasties. Those dynasties include the Sisodias, the Mughals, and the Badgujars. It houses temples dedicated to Hindu and Jain deities, reflecting its cultural heritage. The fort is also equipped with two water tanks and seven ponds, out of which only four are now visible. Over the years, the fort has witnessed many battles, especially during the Rajput and Mughal conflicts. It houses a magnificent Rani Temple, which is located at the top of the fort.
2. Explore The Ancient Temples
Photo: Abhinavmnnit / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
In Khandar Fort, there are seven ancient temples, including a Jain temple, a Hanuman temple, and a Rani temple. The Jain temple has carved rock idols of Jain Gurus, and the Hanuman temple contains an idol of Lord Hanuman standing on a demon, which is carved out of a single stone. There are other temples like Chaturbhuja Temple, Jagatpal Ji Temple, Govind Devji Temple, and the Jayanti Mata Temple. The Chaturbhuja Temple has an idol of a four-armed god. The people of Khandar town visit the Jayanti Mata temple every year to offer their heartfelt prayers.
Places To Visit Near Khandar Fort
After exploring the Khandar Fort, you can visit the following nearby attractions:
1. Kamleshwar Mahadev Temple
Photo: Tekina / Wikimedia Commons
Kamleshwar Mahadev Temple is located in Lakheri Town of the Bundi district. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is also renowned as Mini-Khajuraho. More than one hundred thousand pilgrims visit the temple before Amavasya to bathe in the holy pond and receive the blessings of Lord Shiva. The temple is the centre of the Hadoti region’s religious faith. King Hammiradeva built this temple after receiving a message from Lord Shiva in his dream. It is said that Lord Vishnu, disguised as an old man, put Ravana to sleep and placed Lord Shiva’s idol on the ground. The ancient idol of Lord Shiva is still present in the temple.
Distance From Khandar Fort: 57 km
Timings: 5 AM to 8.30 PM
2. Ranthambore National Park
Photo: Asif N Khan / Wikimedia Commons
Ranthambore National Park was established in 1980 and is spread over an area of 1,334 square kilometres. The national park is named after the famous Ranthambore Fort, which is located within the park. On the north, the park is bound by the Banas River, and on the south, it is bound by the Chambal River. There are over 270 bird species and around 300 various species of flora. Out of 300 species of trees, there are 100 that have medicinal properties. The main attraction of the Ranthambore National Park is the Bengal tigers, which were 80 in 2022.
Distance From Khandar Fort: 55 km
Timings: 7 AM to 5.30 PM in winters and 6.30 AM to 6.30 PM in summers
3. Ranthambore Fort
Photo: Vijay Singh / Wikimedia Commons
The Ranthambore Fort is located inside the Ranthambore National Park and is surrounded by hills. The fort was made in the 10th century and is located at a height of 210 metres from the surrounding plains. It was constructed by Chauhan rulers and consists of various well-known red stone temples. The temples inside the fort are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ramlalaji, and Lord Ganesha. The fort has been ruled by many dynasties, like Chahamana, Delhi Sultanate, and Mewar Rajputs.
Distance From Khandar Fort: 56 km
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
4. Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum Of Natural History
Photo: Gopalsinghal7 / Wikimedia Commons
Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum of Natural History is located in the Ramsinghpura village of the Sawai Madhopur district. It is India’s 4th regional museum of natural history, in addition to the ones in Bhopal, Mysore, and Bhubaneswar. It is spread over an area of 7.2 acres and showcases exhibits on animals and plants along with India’s western region geology. The purpose of the museum is to raise awareness about the conservation of natural resources and nature. The museum organises various educational activities and has three floors. It is equipped with a library, an auditorium, and a seminar hall along with other amenities.
Distance From Khandar Fort: 49 km
Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM
Where To Eat
Photo: Saurabh Datar / Wikimedia Commons
There are several places you can explore to taste various cuisines that Rajasthan has to offer. A few restaurants and eateries present in the nearby area of Khandar Fort are Machan At Taj Sawai, Manisha Restaurant, The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Highway Bites and Fateh’s Cafe.
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Vivek Bhavsa / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Tips For Travellers:
- Wear shoes which feel comfortable to hike in.
- Apply sunscreen if you are visiting the fort in the summer.
- Carry a non-plastic water bottle and some snacks.
- Wear modest clothes due to the presence of temples within the fort.
- Carry a camera for Khandar Fort pictures and capture the scenic beauty of the fort.
- Hire a guide.
Khandar Fort is an ancient fort known for its rich history and religious significance. Built on a steep hill, the fort has several temples, including the Rani Temple and the Jain Temple, which house intricate sculptures. The fort offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and has astonishing architecture. To visit the Khandar Fort, book your trip with TripXL and explore this historic site in Rajasthan.
Cover Photo: Anupamg / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
