Sindkhed Raja, a small town in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, is where Jijabai, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was born in 1598. It was the fortified seat of the Jadhav family, and the Lakhuji Jadhavrao samadhi complex here is an Archaeological Survey of India monument of national importance. This guide covers what survives, how to reach it, and how to plan a calm half-day of heritage walking.
Sindkhed Raja is a historic town in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, best known as the birthplace of Rajmata Jijabai and as the former estate of the Jadhav deshmukhs. Its palaces, tombs, temples and stepwells make it a compact, low-cost heritage stop on the Deccan plateau.
Key takeaways
- Sindkhed Raja, in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, is the birthplace of Jijabai, mother of Shivaji; the Wikipedia-cited record and Jijabai’s biography give her birth as 12 January 1598.
- The Archaeological Survey of India’s Nagpur Circle lists three monuments of national importance here: Lakhuji Jadhavrao’s Samadhi (N-MH-N36), a Tank (N-MH-N37) and the Temple of Mahadeva (N-MH-N38).
- Maharashtra’s state archaeology department lists five more protected monuments in the town, including the Neelkantheshwar Temple (S-MH-59) and Rangmahal (S-MH-62).
- Per Maharashtra Tourism, the nearest airport is Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), about 100 km away, and the nearest railway station is Jalna, about 70 km away (as of October 2026).
- The town sits on the Mumbai–Nagpur road corridor, so MSRTC state buses connect it to Aurangabad, Jalna and Buldhana; a half-day on foot covers the main monuments.
About Sindkhed Raja
Sindkhed Raja is a town and municipal council in Buldhana district, in the Vidarbha–Marathwada border country of Maharashtra. It should not be confused with the many villages named Sindkhed elsewhere in the state; the suffix “Raja” marks it as the royal seat of the Jadhav family. According to Wikipedia’s town article, it sits at roughly 19.97°N, 76.13°E at an elevation of about 549 m (1,801 ft), and had a population of 16,434 at the 2011 Census.
The town’s fame rests on one family. The historian’s record and Maharashtra Tourism both describe it as the birthplace of Rajmata Jijabai, mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha kingdom. Her father, Lakhuji Jadhav, was the deshmukh (hereditary revenue chief) of the parganas around Sindkhed. Under the Jadhavs, who, per the town’s history, ruled the pargana from about 1550 into the 18th century, the settlement was fortified with palaces, tombs, water tanks and temples, several of which survive in a walkable cluster.
What you see today is a modest market town wrapped around these monuments. It is not a polished tourist circuit; it is an everyday Maharashtra town where ASI-protected tombs and stepwells stand among homes and fields. That is part of its interest, and the reason to visit with patience rather than a checklist. If you are building a wider trip, pair this stop with our Maharashtra travel guide for the state’s other heritage routes.
Best time to visit Sindkhed Raja
The best time to visit Sindkhed Raja is the cool, dry window from roughly October to February, when daytime sightseeing on open monument grounds is comfortable. This stretch of interior Maharashtra has hot summers, a south-west monsoon from about June to September, and pleasant winters; the table below gives the general pattern rather than fixed temperatures, which you should check against an IMD forecast before you travel.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | October–February | Cool, dry, clear. Best for walking the monuments and photography. Recommended window. |
| Summer | March–May | Hot and dry on the Deccan; start early, carry water, avoid midday on open ground. |
| Monsoon | June–September | Green surroundings and full water tanks, but humid with muddy paths; carry rain cover. |
A useful anchor is 12 January, Jijabai’s birth anniversary (Jijau Jayanti), which the town marks with gatherings; expect larger local crowds around that date. If you prefer a quiet visit, pick an ordinary winter weekday.
How to reach Sindkhed Raja
Reach Sindkhed Raja by road: it lies on the Mumbai–Nagpur corridor, and Maharashtra Tourism describes the town as well connected by road, rail and air. There is no airport or railway station in the town itself, so most visitors arrive by bus or car from a nearby railhead. The distances below are the official tourism-department figures as of October 2026.
| Mode | Access point | Distance / note |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Airport (IXU) | About 100 km; taxi or bus onward (Maharashtra Tourism) |
| Rail | Jalna Railway Station | About 70 km; taxis and buses available from the station (Maharashtra Tourism) |
| Road | MSRTC state buses | Regular services to and from Aurangabad, Jalna and Buldhana; town is on the Mumbai–Nagpur route |
By air: The nearest airport is at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), about 100 km away, with domestic flights to major metros. Hire a taxi or take a bus from there toward Jalna and onward to Sindkhed Raja.
By rail: Jalna is the closest railway station, roughly 70 km away, with trains linking cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. From Jalna, continue by MSRTC bus or taxi.
By road: The town’s position on the Mumbai–Nagpur route makes self-drive and bus travel the simplest options. State-run MSRTC buses run to Aurangabad, Jalna and Buldhana; private taxis cover the last-mile stretch comfortably. If you are coming via western Maharashtra, see our Pune travel guide for onward connections.
Monuments to see and what to do
The main thing to do in Sindkhed Raja is a walking circuit of Jadhav-era monuments, several of which are legally protected. The Archaeological Survey of India’s Nagpur Circle records three monuments of national importance in the town — listed as Lakhuji Jadhavrao’s Samadhi, a Tank, and the Temple of Mahadeva — while Maharashtra’s state archaeology department lists five more as state-protected monuments. Fees and fixed timings are generally not posted at these open-access sites; treat them as free, daylight-hours monuments and confirm locally.
| Monument | Protection status | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Lakhuji Jadhavrao’s Samadhi | ASI national importance (N-MH-N36) | The family’s memorial tomb complex, the town’s signature monument |
| Tank (water reservoir) | ASI national importance (N-MH-N37) | A historic masonry tank from the Jadhav period |
| Temple of Mahadeva | ASI national importance (N-MH-N38) | An old Shiva temple among the protected cluster |
| Neelkantheshwar Temple | State protected (S-MH-59) | Temple architecture on the state heritage list |
| Motitalava (Moti tank) | State protected (S-MH-60) | Heritage water body within the town |
| Rajvada of Lakhuji Jadhav | State protected (S-MH-61) | The palace/estate structure of the Jadhav chiefs |
| Rangmahal | State protected (S-MH-62) | A palace pavilion from the estate |
| Savkarvada | State protected (S-MH-63) | A fortified mansion on the state list |
Lakhuji Jadhavrao’s Samadhi. This memorial complex to the Jadhav chiefs is the headline monument and the one most worth your time. As an ASI monument of national importance, it is maintained as a protected site; the tomb architecture, carved detail and layout reward an unhurried look. Give it 30–45 minutes.
The palaces and the Rangmahal. The Rajvada and Rangmahal recall the Jadhav court. Maharashtra Tourism also references a Bhuikot Palace (a land fort-palace) associated with the family. These are the structures linked to Jijabai’s early life; signage is limited, so a little background reading beforehand helps.
Temples and water works. Maharashtra Tourism highlights the Neelkantheshwar (Nilkantheshwar) Temple and a Hemadpanthi-style Rameshwar temple, built in the old dry-masonry Hemadpanthi tradition of the Deccan. The historic tanks and stepwells — the ASI-listed Tank, the state-listed Motitalava, and other baravs (stepwells) in the town — show how the settlement managed water. Together they make a compact circuit you can cover on foot.
Jijau Shrushti / memorial. The town’s history also notes a Jijabai memorial on a nearby hill, a focus for her birth-anniversary celebrations. It is a modern commemorative site rather than a historic monument, and worth a short stop if time allows.
A suggested half-day itinerary
Sindkhed Raja is a half-day stop, easily combined with Lonar or a Jalna/Aurangabad base. A practical plan:
- Early morning: Arrive by road. Start at Lakhuji Jadhavrao’s Samadhi while the light is soft and the ground is cool (30–45 minutes).
- Mid-morning: Walk to the Rajvada, Rangmahal and Savkarvada to see the palace structures (45–60 minutes).
- Late morning: Visit the Neelkantheshwar and Rameshwar temples and the historic tanks/stepwells (45 minutes).
- Midday: A simple Maharashtrian lunch in town, then the Jijabai memorial if you have time.
- Afternoon: Drive on to Lonar crater, or back toward Jalna/Aurangabad for the night.
Where to stay
Sindkhed Raja has only basic local lodging, so most travellers sleep in a larger town nearby. Options, as of October 2026, fall into three bands; tariffs are indicative planning estimates — reconfirm at the time of booking:
- Budget (₹800–₹1,500 a night): Simple lodges and transit hotels in Sindkhed Raja itself or in Jalna and Buldhana. Functional, clean enough, limited frills.
- Mid-range (₹1,500–₹3,500): Better-equipped hotels in Jalna and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), with air-conditioning and in-house dining.
- Higher-end (₹3,500 and up): Full-service hotels concentrated in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the practical luxury base for the wider region.
Because in-town rooms are limited, book ahead during the January Jijau Jayanti period. For most itineraries, basing in Aurangabad or Jalna and day-tripping to Sindkhed Raja is the smoother choice.
Food to try
Expect everyday Maharashtrian and Marathwada–Vidarbha cooking rather than a dedicated food scene. Look for:
- Zunka-bhakar (a thick seasoned gram-flour dish with a millet flatbread) — the regional staple.
- Pithla-bhakar (a softer gram-flour curry with bhakri), often with raw onion and green chilli.
- Thecha (a fiery pounded green-chilli and garlic relish) served alongside meals.
- Poha and misal (flattened-rice breakfast; and a spiced sprout curry topped with farsan) at local eateries.
Food is inexpensive. Vegetarian meals are easy to find; carry snacks and water for the monument walk, as options near the sites are limited.
Budget breakdown
Sindkhed Raja is a low-cost stop because the monuments are effectively free to enter. The estimate below is a per-person planning figure for a day trip from a nearby base, as of October 2026; actual costs vary with group size, season and how you travel. These are indicative estimates — reconfirm before you travel.
| Item | Indicative cost (per person) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monument entry | ₹0 | No posted ticket at these open-access sites; confirm locally |
| Local transport (shared taxi/bus from Jalna/Aurangabad) | ₹300–₹700 | Depends on mode and distance; a private cab for the group costs more |
| Meals and water | ₹150–₹400 | Simple local meals |
| Guide / incidentals | ₹100–₹300 | No official guides posted; small tips, parking |
| Day-trip total | ₹550–₹1,400 | Excludes overnight stay and long-distance travel |
Assumptions: a day trip, sharing transport, eating locally. Add your overnight room (see the stay bands above) and the cost of reaching Jalna or Aurangabad.
Permits, fees and rules
No special permits are needed to visit Sindkhed Raja — it is an open town with no inner-line or protected-area restrictions. The ASI and state-protected monuments here are generally open-access sites without posted ticket counters, so entry is effectively free; if a fee or timing is displayed on site, follow it. As these are protected monuments, the usual ASI conduct rules apply: do not touch or climb carvings, do not deface surfaces, and carry out your litter. Dress modestly at the temples, which are living places of worship. For drone photography near protected monuments, carry any required permissions, as ASI and DGCA rules restrict flying over heritage sites; confirm with the local ASI office before you fly.
Practical tips
- Time needed: a half-day covers the main monuments; allow longer if you read the history as you go.
- Signage: interpretation boards are limited. Read up beforehand, or ask at the samadhi, so the structures make sense.
- Transport: there is no in-town airport or railhead. Arrange a return taxi from Jalna or Aurangabad, or time your MSRTC bus.
- Cash and UPI: carry some cash for small vendors and tips; UPI works in shops but can be patchy at roadside stalls.
- Water and sun: much of the walking is on open ground. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen, especially March–May.
- Health: for anything beyond minor needs, the larger hospitals are in Jalna, Buldhana and Aurangabad; carry a basic kit.
- Solo and women travellers: this is an ordinary, generally calm small town; keep to daylight hours for the monuments and standard precautions after dark, as facilities are limited.
- Combine the trip: most visitors pair Sindkhed Raja with Lonar crater on the same route, which makes the long drive worthwhile.
Nearby places
Sindkhed Raja works best as part of a short Buldhana-district loop. The standout nearby site is the Lonar crater lake, a meteorite-impact crater; Sindkhed Raja lies on the State Highway 183 route from Deulgaon Raja toward Lonar, so the two combine naturally. Confirm exact distances locally before you set out.
| Place | Direction / route | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Lonar crater lake | East, via SH 183 through Deulgaon Raja (reconfirm distance locally) | A meteorite-impact crater lake, the region’s best-known natural site |
| Deulgaon Raja | On the SH 183 route toward Lonar | Temple town neighbouring Sindkhed Raja |
| Jalna | About 70 km (nearest railhead) | Transport hub and base for trains |
| Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) | About 100 km (nearest airport) | Ajanta–Ellora base, full-service hotels; see the Maharashtra travel guide |
Frequently asked questions
Why is Sindkhed Raja famous?
Sindkhed Raja, in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, is famous as the birthplace of Jijabai, mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and as the fortified seat of the Jadhav family. Its palaces, temples, stepwells and the ASI-protected Lakhuji Jadhavrao samadhi survive as a compact heritage cluster you can walk in a half-day.
When was Jijabai born in Sindkhed Raja?
Jijabai was born at Sindkhed Raja on 12 January 1598, according to the record cited in her biography, to Mhalasabai and Lakhuji Jadhav. Her birth anniversary, Jijau Jayanti, is marked in the town each 12 January, when local gatherings are larger than usual.
How do I reach Sindkhed Raja?
Reach Sindkhed Raja by road. Per Maharashtra Tourism, the nearest airport is Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), about 100 km away, and the nearest railway station is Jalna, about 70 km away. The town is on the Mumbai–Nagpur route, with MSRTC buses from Aurangabad, Jalna and Buldhana (as of October 2026).
Are the Sindkhed Raja monuments protected by ASI?
Yes, in part. The Archaeological Survey of India’s Nagpur Circle lists three monuments of national importance here: Lakhuji Jadhavrao’s Samadhi, a Tank, and the Temple of Mahadeva. Maharashtra’s state archaeology department protects five more, including the Neelkantheshwar Temple, Rangmahal and Savkarvada.
Is there an entry fee for Sindkhed Raja monuments?
No ticket counters are generally posted at Sindkhed Raja’s monuments, so entry is effectively free at these open-access sites as of October 2026. No special permits are required to visit the town. If any fee or timing is displayed on site, follow it, and confirm current rules at the local ASI office.
How much time do I need in Sindkhed Raja?
Plan on a half-day for Sindkhed Raja, which is enough to walk the Lakhuji Jadhavrao samadhi, the palaces, the temples and the historic tanks at an unhurried pace. Many travellers combine it with a visit to the Lonar crater lake on the same route to make the long drive worthwhile.
Last updated and sources
Sindkhed Raja suits travellers with an interest in Maratha history and quiet, unpolished heritage, best visited on a cool winter day and paired with Lonar. Go for the story and the stonework, not for facilities.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Maharashtra Tourism — Sindkhed Raja (description and how to reach); ASI Nagpur Circle monuments of national importance list (N-MH-N36/37/38); Maharashtra state protected monuments list (S-MH-59 to S-MH-63); Sindkhed Raja town record (location, elevation, history, census); Jijabai biography (birth date and parents). Accessed October 2026.
