The Badoli temples (also spelled Baroli) are a cluster of early medieval Shaiva shrines beside the Chambal river near Rawatbhata, in Chittorgarh district, Rajasthan. They sit in a quiet grove in the Hadoti region of south-eastern Rajasthan and count among the oldest surviving temple groups in the state, carved in the Gurjara-Pratihara style of sandstone that marks the dawn of temple building here.
The Badoli temples are a group of about nine Gurjara-Pratihara-era sandstone temples beside the Chambal river near Rawatbhata, roughly 50 km from Kota, dated by art historians to around the 10th century CE and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India; the Ghateshwar Mahadev temple is the finest of the group.
Key takeaways
- The Badoli (Baroli) temples stand in Baroli village near Rawatbhata, Chittorgarh district, Rajasthan, about 45–50 km south-east of Kota beside the Chambal river, according to the Baroli Temples entry on Wikipedia citing ASI and L.K. Tripathi’s study.
- The group is dated to around the 10th century CE in the Gurjara-Pratihara style, among the earliest temple complexes in Rajasthan, and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- The Ghateshwar Mahadev temple is the finest shrine, with a pancharatha sanctum, a six-pillared mukha mandapa, carved surasundari (celestial dancer) figures and a makara-torana entrance arch.
- A late-period sandstone Nataraja (dancing Shiva) was stolen from the Ghateshwar temple in 1998, returned to the Indian High Commission in London in 2005 and formally handed back to the ASI in July 2020, press reports say.
- October to March is the comfortable season; the nearest railhead is Kota Junction (~50 km) and the practical airports are Jaipur (~240 km) and Udaipur.
- No official ASI fee-and-timing notice could be verified for this guide (as of October 2026); the site is generally open through daylight hours — reconfirm before you travel.
About the Badoli temples
The Badoli temples are a walled group of early medieval shrines in Baroli village, Rawatbhata tehsil, Chittorgarh district, Rajasthan. According to the Baroli Temples entry on Wikipedia, citing the ASI and L.K. Tripathi’s The Temples of Baroli (1975), eight temples stand inside a single enclosure near the rocky bank of the Chambal river, with a ninth temple about 1 km away, roughly 45 km south-east of Kota.
The name appears as both Baroli and Badoli; this guide uses Badoli for the group and keeps Baroli where sources do. The temples are built of local stone and are counted among the earliest surviving temple complexes in Rajasthan. Counts differ slightly between sources, so treat “about nine” as the working figure rather than a fixed total.
All the temples are protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India. The setting is low-key: a shaded grove within the industrial township of Rawatbhata, which grew around the Rana Pratap Sagar dam and the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station on the Chambal. The contrast between the ancient shrines and the modern town is part of what makes a visit memorable.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | Baroli (Badoli) village, Rawatbhata, Chittorgarh district, Rajasthan |
| Style and date | Gurjara-Pratihara style; dated to around the 10th century CE (attributed, ASI/Wikipedia) |
| Temples | About nine shrines (eight in the walled enclosure, one roughly 1 km away) |
| Finest shrine | Ghateshwar Mahadev temple (Shiva) |
| Protection | Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) |
| Nearest railhead | Kota Junction, about 50 km |
| Comfortable season | October to March |
Pratihara art and the Ghateshwar temple
The Ghateshwar Mahadev temple is the largest and most accomplished shrine in the Badoli group, and it is the reason art historians rate the site so highly. Dedicated to Shiva, it is dated to the early 10th century in the Gurjara-Pratihara style, and its sculpture is unusually crisp for its age.
According to the Wikipedia entries on the Ghateshwar Temple and the Baroli group, the temple has a pancharatha sanctum (a sanctuary with five vertical projections on plan), an antarala (vestibule) and a mukha mandapa (entrance porch) resting on six pillars, entered through a makara-torana (an arched gateway flanked by mythical makara figures). Surasundari (celestial maiden) figures in dance postures are carved on the front pillars. The name “Ghateshwar” is said to come from a linga shaped like an inverted ghat (pot), and the shrine is reported to hold five lingas.
The attached hall, the Shringar Chawri (also written Sringar Chauri), is a later addition and sits a short distance in front of the main temple. The group as a whole honours several deities: the ASI-protected shrines include Shiva temples, two temples to Durga as Mahishamardini (the slayer of the buffalo-demon), a Trimurti (triple-headed Shiva) shrine, a Vishnu temple with Vamana and Sheshashayi forms, and a Ganesha temple with a brick shikhara (spire). A small Shiva temple stands within the sacred tank and is noted for its jali (pierced stone lattice) work.
Some images show deliberate damage. The Wikipedia entry records that the arms and feet of the Ganesha figure were cut off and the Trimurti was defaced, attributing this to invading armies; treat that attribution as the article’s claim rather than settled fact. Even so, the quality of the early Pratihara carving at Badoli survives well enough to repay a slow, careful look.
The idol-theft and recovery history
A famous Nataraja (dancing Shiva) sculpture was stolen from the Ghateshwar temple at Badoli in 1998 and only returned to India two decades later. The episode is the most widely reported fact about the site, and it shaped how the shrines are guarded today.
According to press reports including WION and India Inc, the sandstone image stands about four feet (roughly 1.2 m) tall and shows Shiva in the Chatura Nataraja pose. Reports describe it as a late-period Pratihara work and date the carving variously to the 9th or 10th century. The statue was taken from the temple in 1998, surfaced in the United Kingdom, and was handed to the Indian High Commission in London in 2005 after it emerged that the piece had been smuggled out of India.
The idol’s identity was later confirmed by ASI experts, and reports say it was formally handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India around July 2020, after more than 20 years abroad. Because details such as the exact theft month and the statue’s precise century differ between accounts, this guide gives the figures that most sources agree on and flags the rest as uncertain. The takeaway for visitors is simple: Badoli’s sculpture is valuable, fragile and watched, so photography and conduct at the site are taken seriously.
Best time to visit
October to March is the best time to visit Badoli, when Hadoti’s daytime heat eases and the grove around the temples is pleasant to walk. South-eastern Rajasthan is hot for much of the year, so the cool months make the difference between a comfortable morning and a punishing one.
The table below describes the typical seasonal pattern for the Kota–Rawatbhata belt rather than exact climate normals; check a current forecast before you travel.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Nov–Feb | Cool, dry days and chilly mornings; the most comfortable time for the temples and the river setting. |
| Shoulder | Oct and Mar | Warm but manageable; good light for sculpture photography early and late in the day. |
| Summer | Apr–Jun | Very hot, often well above 40°C; visit only at dawn and carry water. |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Humid with spells of rain; the Chambal runs full and the grove is green, but stone surfaces can be slippery. |
For an early start, aim to reach the temples soon after they open, when the carving catches low side light and the group is quiet.
How to reach Badoli
The quickest way to Badoli is to reach Kota and drive about 50 km south-west to Rawatbhata, where the temples sit near the edge of town by the Chambal. There is no rail or air service at Badoli itself, so Kota is the practical gateway for almost everyone.
By rail, Kota Junction is a major station on the Delhi–Mumbai line and the headquarters of the Kota division of West Central Railway, with a large number of daily trains, so getting to Kota from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur or Udaipur is straightforward. By air, Kota does not have regular scheduled commercial flights (as of October 2026, per travel guides), so most visitors fly into Jaipur, about 240 km away, or Udaipur, and continue by road or rail. Hiring a car for the day from Kota is the simplest option, as public transport to the temple grove is limited.
| From | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kota | ~45–50 km | Nearest major city and railhead; about 1.5 hours by road. |
| Rawatbhata town | ~3–5 km | Temples sit near the edge of the township by the Chambal. |
| Bhainsrorgarh fort | ~4 km | Approximate (map listing); easy add-on by car. |
| Chittorgarh | ~125 km | District headquarters; roughly 3 hours by road. |
| Jaipur airport | ~240 km | Nearest well-connected airport; long drive, better via Kota by train. |
What to see in the temple group
The single must-see at Badoli is the Ghateshwar Mahadev temple, but the whole enclosure rewards a slow walk of an hour or two. Each shrine has its own carving and condition, and the Chambal setting ties them together.
Give yourself time at the mukha mandapa pillars, where the surasundari dancers are at eye level, then look up at the makara-torana before stepping into the sanctum. The tank temple and the Ganesha shrine show the group’s range, from fine lattice work to the deliberately damaged images.
| Spot | Why go | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ghateshwar Mahadev temple | The finest shrine; pancharatha sanctum, dancing surasundari figures, makara-torana arch. | 30–45 min |
| Shringar Chawri hall | Later pillared hall in front of the main temple; good for understanding the layout. | 10–15 min |
| Tank (sacred kund) temple | Small Shiva shrine with jali (lattice) work beside the water. | 10 min |
| Ganesha and Trimurti shrines | Show the group’s older carving and the damage noted in records. | 15 min |
| Chambal riverside grove | Quiet setting; combine with a look at Rana Pratap Sagar nearby. | 20 min |
A suggested itinerary
Badoli works best as a half-day or full-day trip from Kota, paired with Bhainsrorgarh and the Chambal dams. A single focused day covers the temples without rush.
- Morning: Leave Kota early, drive to Rawatbhata (about 1.5 hours) and reach the Badoli group soon after it opens. Spend 1–2 hours on the Ghateshwar temple and the enclosure while the light is low.
- Midday: Drive the short distance to Bhainsrorgarh fort (about 4 km) for views over the Chambal; stop for lunch at a hotel or carry a packed meal.
- Afternoon: Visit the Rana Pratap Sagar dam area near Rawatbhata (subject to any access restrictions around the township), then return to Kota by evening.
- Optional second day: Add Menal (waterfall and old temples) or Bijaipur on the way towards Chittorgarh if you are continuing west.
If you are building a longer Rajasthan loop, Badoli slots neatly between Kota and the forts of Mewar; see our Jodhpur travel guide for ideas on extending west across the state.
Where to stay
There is no hotel at Badoli itself, so most visitors stay in Kota, with heritage options at Bhainsrorgarh and basic rooms in Rawatbhata. Where you sleep depends on whether you want comfort and choice (Kota) or a quiet riverside setting (Bhainsrorgarh).
The price bands below are indicative planning estimates for a standard double room (as of October 2026) and should be reconfirmed when you book, as tariffs move with season and demand.
- Budget (around ₹1,000–2,500): Guesthouses and basic hotels in Rawatbhata and simpler properties in Kota, suitable for a quick overnight.
- Mid-range (around ₹2,500–6,000): Business and mid-tier hotels in Kota with reliable rooms, parking and food.
- Heritage/luxury (₹8,000 and up): Bhainsrorgarh Fort, a heritage hotel on the Chambal near the temples, and Castle Bijaipur further west towards Begun offer the most atmospheric stays; book well ahead, especially in winter.
In peak season (November to February) and over long weekends, reserve early; Rawatbhata’s rooms are limited and Kota fills up during exam and festival periods.
Food to try nearby
Hadoti and the wider Kota region serve hearty Rajasthani fare, so plan meals around Kota or a heritage hotel rather than the temple grove. There are few eateries right at Badoli, so carry water and a snack for the visit itself.
- Dal-baati-churma (baked wheat dough balls with lentils and a sweet crumble) — the regional staple, filling and widely available.
- Gatte ki sabzi (gram-flour dumplings in a spiced yoghurt curry) — a classic vegetarian dish of the area.
- Ker sangri (a dry preparation of desert berries and beans) — a Rajasthani speciality worth trying where it is offered.
- Kota kachori (a fried pastry with a spiced filling) — a popular local breakfast and snack in Kota town.
Hotels at Bhainsrorgarh and Bijaipur typically serve set Rajasthani thali meals; let them know dietary needs in advance, as rural kitchens cook to order.
Budget breakdown
A simple one-day trip to Badoli from Kota costs most couples a modest amount, driven mainly by the car hire rather than entry or food. The estimate below assumes two people, a day trip from Kota by hired car, and is a planning estimate to reconfirm (as of October 2026).
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Car hire (Kota round trip) | ₹2,500–4,000 | Day rate for a sedan with driver, fuel included; varies by operator. |
| Entry fees | ₹0–100 | No official ASI fee notice verified; budget a small amount in case a nominal ticket applies. |
| Meals and water | ₹600–1,200 | Lunch and snacks for two in Kota or at a hotel. |
| Guide/tips (optional) | ₹300–600 | A local guide, where available, and small tips. |
| Total (two people) | ~₹3,400–5,900 | Excludes accommodation and the drive from outside Kota. |
Add roughly ₹1,000–8,000 a night if you stay over, depending on whether you choose Rawatbhata, Kota or a heritage fort hotel.
Entry, timings and rules
No official ASI fee-and-timing notice for Badoli could be verified for this guide (as of October 2026), so treat any figure you see as indicative and reconfirm on arrival. The temples are an ASI-protected monument, which usually means the site is open through daylight hours and entry is free or nominal, in line with other minor ASI sites.
No permits are required for the temples themselves. However, Rawatbhata is an atomic-township and dam area, so photography and access near the Rana Pratap Sagar dam and the power station can be restricted; follow any signage and staff instructions, and do not photograph security installations. Given the history of idol theft, be respectful with photography inside the shrines and never touch or lean on the sculpture.
Standard temple etiquette applies: dress modestly, remove footwear where asked, and keep drones grounded unless you have explicit permission, as the area is sensitive. Carry your own water and take any litter back out with you to protect the grove.
Practical tips
Plan Badoli as an early, self-driven or hired-car visit with everything you need carried in, because the grove has few facilities. A little preparation makes the trip smooth.
- Connectivity: Mobile coverage is reasonable in Rawatbhata town but can be patchy in the grove; download maps offline before you leave Kota.
- Cash and UPI: Carry some cash for small payments and parking; UPI works in Kota and Rawatbhata town but may not at the site itself.
- Health: The nearest well-equipped hospitals are in Kota; Rawatbhata has basic facilities. Carry any personal medicines and a basic first-aid kit.
- Solo and women travellers: The site is generally calm, but it can be quiet with few other visitors; go in daylight, ideally with a driver who knows the route, and keep someone informed of your plans.
- Packing: Sun hat, water and light cotton for the warm months; a light layer for winter mornings. Sturdy shoes help on uneven stone.
There is no altitude concern here: Rawatbhata sits at about 325 m, so the usual low-elevation precautions (heat and sun in summer) are all that apply.
Nearby places
Badoli pairs naturally with the forts, dams and old temples of the Chambal belt, so build a short loop rather than a single stop. The table lists the handiest add-ons with approximate distances to reconfirm locally.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Bhainsrorgarh fort | ~4 km | Clifftop fort above the Chambal, now a heritage hotel; fine river views. |
| Rana Pratap Sagar dam | In Rawatbhata | Large dam on the Chambal; viewpoints subject to any access rules. |
| Kota | ~50 km | Gateway city with palaces, a riverfront and the main railhead. |
| Menal | ~85 km (approx) | Seasonal waterfall and old temples towards Chittorgarh. |
| Bijaipur / Begun | West towards Chittorgarh | Castle Bijaipur heritage stay and a quiet rural base; confirm distance when booking. |
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Badoli temples located?
The Badoli (Baroli) temples are in Baroli village near Rawatbhata, in Chittorgarh district, Rajasthan, beside the Chambal river. According to the Baroli Temples entry citing the ASI, they lie about 45–50 km south-east of Kota, which is the nearest major city and railhead. Most visitors reach them by road as a day trip from Kota.
How old are the Badoli temples and who built them?
The Badoli temples are dated to around the 10th century CE and were built in the Gurjara-Pratihara style, art-historical sources say, making them among the earliest temple complexes in Rajasthan. The history is not fully documented, so exact patrons are unknown; records note some accounts place the group across the 10th–11th centuries, so treat the dating as approximate.
What is special about the Ghateshwar temple?
The Ghateshwar Mahadev temple is the finest shrine in the Badoli group, a 10th-century Shiva temple with a pancharatha sanctum, a six-pillared entrance porch, carved surasundari (celestial dancer) figures and a makara-torana arch. Its name is linked to a pot-shaped linga, and it is prized for the crispness of its early Pratihara sculpture.
Was an idol stolen from the Badoli temples?
Yes. A sandstone Nataraja (dancing Shiva), about four feet tall, was stolen from the Ghateshwar temple at Badoli in 1998, press reports say. It was handed to the Indian High Commission in London in 2005 after its smuggling came to light, and was formally returned to the Archaeological Survey of India around July 2020, after more than two decades abroad.
Is there an entry fee for the Badoli temples?
No official ASI fee-and-timing notice for the Badoli temples could be verified for this guide (as of October 2026). As an ASI-protected monument the site is generally open through daylight hours, with entry free or nominal, but treat any figure as indicative and reconfirm on arrival or with the ASI before you travel.
How do I reach Badoli from Kota?
Drive about 45–50 km south-west from Kota to Rawatbhata, where the Badoli temples sit near the edge of town by the Chambal; the trip takes roughly 1.5 hours. Kota Junction is the nearest railhead, and the practical airports are Jaipur (about 240 km) and Udaipur. A hired car is the easiest option for the day.
Last updated and sources
Badoli suits travellers who care about early temple sculpture and quiet heritage over crowds, best paired with Bhainsrorgarh and the Chambal dams. Go between October and March, start early, and reconfirm timings before you set out.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Baroli Temples, Wikipedia (citing ASI and L.K. Tripathi, The Temples of Baroli, 1975); Ghateshwar Temple, Wikipedia; Rawatbhata, Wikipedia (location, Rana Pratap Sagar dam, distances); Bhainsrorgarh, Wikipedia; WION and India Inc on the Nataraja’s return; Jio Institute, Baroli Group of Temples exhibit. Accessed September 2026.
