Excursions from Ranthambore

1. Karauli
Karauli is a pilgrimage site and just 100 km from Ranthambore . Karauli is one of the holiest city of India as there are more than 300 temples. According to the Ancient history, region of Karauli was under Matsya Kingdom before 11th century. It is to be highly noted that Raja Bijai Pal a Jadon Rajput founded the modern princely state Karauli in 995. The local legends and Hindu scholars believe that he was the 88th in descent of Lord Krishna.

Kaila Devi Temple – Kaila Devi temple is a hindu religion temple, known to be one of the 9 Shakti peeths of goddess Durga. Located on the banks of Kalisil river at a distance of 23 km from the Karauli city.
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.
Kaila Devi Sanctuary - Near the Kaila Devi temple there is Kaila Devi sanctuary which has Chinkaras, Nilgai, Jackal and Leopardswith bids like Sandpipers and Kingfishers. It spreads upto Ranthambhore National Park and is a perfect picnic spot.
City Palace Karauli - Built by the Arjun Pal, founder of Karauli in 14th century, now cty palace only has some remains. The structure which one can see in the name of the city palace was erected by Rajas Gopal Singh in the 18th century. City Palace of Karauli has many colors like red, white and off-white stone were used in its construction and painted with bright colors.
Madan Mohan Temple - Located near the city palace, Madan Mohan temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed to be auspicious to visit Govingji, Gopinathji temple of Jaipur and Madan Mohan temple on the same day. Jaipur is at 160 km or 3.5 hr distance from Karauli.
Karauli Cattle Fair - On the day of Maha Shivratri festival, Karauli cattle fair is organised where thousands of cattle accumulate in Karauli’s Mela Gate area. There are competitions which provides entertainment and a chance to pick up the best cattle. There are other items other than cattle to buy in the fair. Visitors can find here Nagauri bead necklaces, Jodhpuri brassware and horn decorations. Fair timings are 6 am to 7 pm in the month of February at Mela gate of Karauli city.

2. Tonk
Tonk is just 92 km from Ranthambore and has historical and pilgrimage sites to visit.

Sunehri Kothi – The Sunehri Kothi, also known as the Sheesh Mahal was built by Nawab Mohammed Ibrahim Ali Khan, who was extremely fond of music, dance and poetry recitals. The inside walls of this monument are polished in gold and depict excellent artworks on diamonds and glasses. The building is also called as the ‘Mansion of Gold’ in appreciation of the artworks and the architectural excellence portrayed in the building. The entire structure of Sunehri Kothi looks like an ethereal piece of enamel jewellery. This beautiful building is of great historical significance and attracts a lot of tourists every year.
Ghanta Ghar - The Ghanta Ghar, a popular historical attraction of Tonk was built by the Nawab of Tonk ,Mohammed Sadat Ali Khan, in 1937. According to locals, people of Tonk place suffered an epidemic disease called Haiza in 1936. The Nawab distributed medicines among those inflicted, and the money collected was used to build this clock tower.
Govind Devji Temple – Govind Devji Temple, located in the Jai Niwas Garden of Jaipur is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Krishna. The idol of Lord Krishna was originally kept in a temple of Vrindavan, but later the King of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh II reinstalled it here as his family deity. It is one of the most popular shrines of Jaipur, which attracts a large number of devotees every year.
Jama Masjid – The Construction work of Jama Masjid of Tonk was started by Nawab Amir Khan, the first Nawab of Tonk in 1246 A.D and was finally completed in 1298 AD, during the reign of Nawab Wzirudhoula. The building has four massive minars, which can be seen from a long distance. Golden paintings and Meenakari on the walls enhance the beauty of the mosque. This beautiful monument depicts the great Mughal architectural style of the bygone era.
Rajmahal - Rajmahal, located on the banks of River Banas, attracts a lot of tourists from all across the globe. Rajmahal is located at the meeting point of three rivers namely, Banas, Khari and Dai. This historical monument of Rajmahal is built on a big mountain at Kakor. Tourists can enjoy boating in the ‘Dah of Salam Singh’.
Kalpvriksh - Kalpvriksh is a historic tree present in the Balunda village of the Tonk district. This tree is considered to be sacred, and many people visit here during the month of Kartik. It is believed believe that the tree fulfills all the wishes of the devotees who visit here offer worship

3. Jaipur
Jaipur is at 150 km from Ranthambore and has many tourists places to visit.

City Palace – City Palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur and is situated in the heart of Jaipur. The Maharani Palace or the Queen’s Palace is also present in the complex of the City Palace. The palace is a beautiful amalgamation of the Rajput and the Mughal style of architecture. Now, this building has turned into a museum devoted to King Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur and is a popular heritage site.
Jaigarh Fort – Jaigarh Fort is also known as the Fort of Victory is located 15 km from the main city. It is perched at an elevation of 400 ft from the Amber Fort on the Hill of Eagles. The Diya Burj, a seven storied structure is the highest point of the city fort and provides a panoramic view of the entire city. The fort was constructed to serve the military purposes and its walls covered an area of around 3 km. On the top of the fort, there is a huge canon called Jaivan and is counted among the largest cannons-on-wheels across the globe, which have a weight of 50 tonnes and a 6 m long Barrel.
Jantar Mantar – Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, founded by King Sawai Jai Singh II is the largest of five astronomical observatories of India. This observatory is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites as “an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period”. Instruments like the Ram Yantra, Dhruva, Dakshina, Narivalya, Rashivalayas, Small Samrat, Large Samrat, the Observer’s Seat, Disha, Small Ram, Large Ram Yantra, Small Kranti, Large Kranti, Raj Unnathamsa, Jai Prakash, and Diganta can be here.
Laxmi Narayan Temple – Laxmi Narayan Temple is located at the footsteps of the hilltop of Moti Doongri (Pearl Hill). It is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. This temple was built by the Birla Foundation in the late 1980s so is also known as the Birla Temple. The idol of Lord Vishnu has been made from a single piece of marble stone.
Moti Doongri - Moti Doongri or the Pearl Hill is popular due to the presence of a palace and a shrine. A temple dedicated to the Hindu Lord Ganesh is located on top of the hill. This palace was the home to Sawai Man Singh II, the last king of Jaipur and later became the residence of Jagat Singh, the son of Sawai Man Singh II.
Nahargarh Fort – Nahargarh Fort was built by Sawai Jai Singh, the King of Jaipur. The construction work of the fort was completed in 1734, and the towering walls and bastions were renovated in 1880 by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh. It was named after Nahar Singh, the Prince of Jaipur. The word ‘Nahargarh’ means ‘the abode of tigers’. In the fort, there is a Madhavendra Bhavan, which used to be a summer resort for the Kings and their families. Now the place has become a popular picnic spot.
Akshardham Temple – Akshardham Temple is one of the well-known tourist attractions of Jaipur. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture, magnificent idols, sculptures, and carvings. and is dedicated to the Hindu God, Narayan.
Albert Hall – Albert Hall is located in Ram Niwas Bagh, 4.3 kms away from jaipur city. It was built by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh in 1886 as a part of the drought relief project of Rs. 4 Lacs and was designed by Sir Swinton Jacob. Nowadays, Albert Hall is being used as a museum displaying a grand collection of metal sculptures, paintings, ivory, carpets, and colourful crystals.
Amber Fort – Amber Fort was built by the combined effort of three kings Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh, and Sawai Jai Singh in a period of about 200 years. It was the capital of the rulers of Kachchawaha for almost seven years before Jaipur came into existence. Temple of Goddess Shila Mata, Diwan-e-Aam, Sheesh Mahal, Ganesh Pole, Sukh Niwas, Jas Mandir, Dilaram Bagh, and Mohan Bari are some of the other tourist attractions of the Amber Fort.
Central Park – Central Park, constructed by the Jaipur Development Authority is the largest park of Jaipur. It is situated in the centre of the city and boasts of a big garden along with the Rambagh Polo Ground and club. A 5 km long jogging and walking track is also there in the garden. The place is ideal for bird watchers as a number of migratory and native birds come here every year.
Chandra Mahal – Chandra Mahal was constructed by Jai Singh II, the King of Jaipur, and is located in the City Palace. The Mahal covers one-seventh part of the area of the City palace, and at present it is home to the Maharaja of Jaipur. There is a seven-storied citadel here, the first two floors of which are part of the Sukh Niwas Hall. In addition, there is the Rang Mandir, the Shobha Niwas or the House of Beauty and the Chavi Niwas or the House of Mirrors
Ganesh Pol – Ganesh Pol, constructed by King Jai Singh II is situated in the main palace of the Amber Fort. There are seven main gates in the Amber Fort and Ganesh Pol is one of them. A magnificent idol of the Hindu Lord Ganesh done in beautiful colours is placed here. The entry through this gate was exclusive to the Kings and their families so that they could easily get inside the fort, into their private chambers without being disturbed. The gate represents the amalgamation of the Mughal and the Rajput style of architecture.
Govind Devji Temple – Govind Devji Temple, located in the Jai Niwas Garden of Jaipur is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Krishna. The idol of Lord Krishna was originally kept in a temple of Vrindavan, but later the King of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh II reinstalled it here as his family deity. It is one of the most popular shrines of Jaipur, which attracts a large number of devotees every year.
Hawa Mahal – Hawa Mahal is a renowned monument constructed in 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh, the poet king of Jaipur. It is located near the Johari Bazaar and is 5.8 kms away from Jaipur city. This is a five storied building, made of red and pink sandstone and have more than 950 windows. It was designed by Lal Chand Usta for the women of the palace so that they could enjoy the view of royal processions through the jali screens.
Jain Mandir - The Jain Mandir of Jaipur is just 14 kms away from Jaipur City. This beautiful seven-storied building resembels to the temples of Dilwara in Mount Abu. The construction of the Mandir was completed in the 10th century and dedicated to Lord Adinath. The idol of the deity is believed to be more than 400 years old. There is another idol of Lord Parsvanath.
Jal Mahal – Jal Mahal is a beautiful palace situated amid a small lake, about 9.3 kms away from Jaipur city. The palace was built as a hunting lodge for the kings and their families. The Jal Mahal can be seen from the banks of the lake.
Sheesh Mahal – Sheesh Mahal, popularly known as Hall of Mirrors is located inside the Amber Fort . It was constructed by Raja Jai Singh, the King of Jaipur in 1623. The hall is beautifully decorated with mirrors, specially imported from Belgium. The mirrors on the ceilings and walls reflect light rays and lighten up the hall completely.
Garh Ganesha Temple – Garh Ganesha temple is devoted to Lord Ganesha. It is believed that Ganesha is present in the temple in the form of small child – Purushakriti. Located at the top in he Aravali hills, close to the Nahargarh hill. In the Garh Ganesha temple, Lord Ganesha is establised in the statue of child Ganesha – Vigra Purushakriti (without trunk).
Maharani ki Chhatri – Located between Jaipur and Amber, Maharani ki Chhatri of Jaipur is basically a funeral area for the Royal ladies or Maharanis of Jaipur. Maharani ki Chhatri is famous for its magnificent cenotaphs which were built in the memory of various ladies of the Royal families.
Gaitore – Gaitore is famous for its cenotaphs or ‘Chattris’, well known as Gaitore Chattris. Gaitore correctly pronounciation is ‘Gaye ka Thor’ which means resting place of departed souls.
Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing – Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing located in the ancient pink ‘Chanwar Palkiwalon ki Haveli’ also known as Anokhi Haveli. Anokhi Museum of hand printing is the foundation which is charitable and works with a core objective of preserving the traditional customs and works of artisans of Jaipur.
Kanak Vrindavan Garden – Kanak Vrindavan Garden is scenic garden which resemble like the Lord Krisna’s Vrindavan. Located at the bottom of Nahargarh hill, Kanak Vrindavan was built around 280 years ago by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh for recreational purposes.

4. Kota
Kota is just 147 km from Ranthambore and a popular place to visit.

City Fort Palace - City Fort Palace, located on the eastern edges of the River Chambal in Kota, is known for having the largest fort complexes in Rajasthan. This Fort is about 5.4 kms away from Kota city and a major tourist attraction of the City. The Hathi Pol or the Elephant Gate, built in the 17th century, is the main entrance to the fort. The fort’s rugged walls and bastion decorated with domes and hand rails display the majesty of the kings of that time.
Government Museum - The Government Museum located inside the Brij Vilas Palace, close to Kishore Sagar Lake is a popular tourist attraction of Kota. The museum has an exceptional collection of old coins, ancient manuscripts, and Hadotio sculptures. Among all the sculptures exhibited here, the statue brought from Baroli is the most incredible one. Some of the statues present here are quite old and date back to the 4th century. In addition to all this, visitors can also see beautiful costumes and handicrafts in the museum.
Sitabari – Sitabari is a popular religious site situated close to Baran. According to the Hindu mythology, the Hindu Goddess Sita, the wife of Lord Rama gave birth to Luv and Kush at this place. Sita with her two sons used to live here when she had left the kingdom to live in the forest. Tourists coming to Sitabari can also visit another temple which is dedicated to Sita and Lakshman. There are seven water tanks or kunds nearby, and the prominent ones are the Sita Kund, the Lakshman Kund, the Luv-Kush Kund, the Balmiki Kund, and the Surya Kund.
Chambal Garden – The Chambal Garden is situated on the banks of the Chambal River at the Amar Niwas. A pond located in the middle of the garden is home to some crocodiles. A suspension bridge is also built over this pond. This beautiful park serves as a perfect picnic spot as it is located amid picturesque surroundings.
Alnea – Alnea is a place located close to Kota and is famous for its prehistoric carvings. . These were carved using sharp tools made of rocks and stones. The rock carvings are mostly inspired from the ancient folktales. Archaeologists and historians have confirmed that the rock carvings, found here date back to the pre-historic era.
Taragarh Fort – The Taragarh Fort, popularly known as the ‘Star Fort’, was built in 1354 AD and is among the most beautiful attractions of the city. It is located on a sharp hillside and gives a beautiful prospect of the city. The fort encompasses three water tanks never dry up depicting the sophisticated and advanced method of construction and engineering that were used in those days.
Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary – The Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary was founded in the year 1955. In earlier times, the place served as the favourite hunting ground of the Kings of Kota. At present, the sanctuary provides habitat to various species of animals including deer, sloth bears, wolves, antelopes, leopards, and nilgai. Wolves and antelopes can be spotted here in large numbers.
Gurudwara Azamgarh Sahib – Gurudwara Azamgarh Sahib holds a great religious significance among the Sikhs. There is a pair of wooden slippers and a dagger in the Gurudwara and believed that these things belong to Guru Nanak, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs. As per local people, the remains of the famous Sufi saint, Sheikh Nizam-ud-din are also buried here and Ayodhya Singh ‘Harioodh’, a renowned poet was also born here.
Haveli of Devta Shridharji – Haveli of Devta Shridharji, a beautiful structure and a popular tourist attraction is located in the middle of the main market in Kota. The place is basically popular for its wall paintings and frescoes.
Jagmandir Palace – Jagmandir Palace was constructed in 1740 by one of the queens of Kota in amidst of the beautiful Kishore Sagar Lake for recreation of the former kings of Kota. The palace is made up of beautiful red sandstone and looks really splendid. Tourists can see the reflection of the palace in the pellucid waters of the lake as they enjoy boating. Keshar Bagh, which is popular for its royal cenotaphs, is located in the vicinity of the palace.