Todaraisingh is a small historic town in Tonk district, Rajasthan, best known for the Hadi Rani ki Baori stepwell and a cluster of old temples protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Also written Toda Raisingh and recorded by the ASI as Todarai Singh, it sits roughly 50 km from Tonk town in east-central Rajasthan. This guide covers what the town holds, how to reach it, and how to plan a short, honest heritage visit.
Todaraisingh is a tehsil town in Tonk district, Rajasthan, home to the sandstone Hadi Rani ki Baori stepwell and several ASI-protected temples. It is a quiet half-day heritage stop rather than a resort town, usually visited from Tonk or Jaipur, and most of its old monuments are centrally protected national monuments.
Key takeaways
- Todaraisingh (also spelled Toda Raisingh) is a tehsil and sub-divisional town in Tonk district, Rajasthan, about 50 km from Tonk town; do not confuse it with Todabhim in the Karauli region.
- Five Todarai Singh sites are ASI Monuments of National Importance (N-RJ-114 to N-RJ-118): Kala Pahar Temple, Kalyanrai ji’s Temple, Laxmi Narainji’s (Gopinathji’s) Temple, the old baories known as Hadirani-ka-kund, and Pipa ji’s Temple.
- Hadi Rani ki Baori is a square sandstone stepwell with staggered flights of steps and carved niches; the ASI lists it among protected monuments, and scenes from the 2005 film Paheli were shot here.
- October to March is the sensible window; summers in this part of Rajasthan are very hot and are best avoided for stepwell visits (as of October 2026).
- There is no railway station or airport in the town itself: the nearest railhead is around Banasthali Niwai and the nearest airport is Jaipur, roughly 100 km from Tonk (as of October 2026).
- The town has little tourist lodging, so most travellers stay in Tonk or Jaipur and visit on a day trip; carry cash and reconfirm all timings locally.
About Todaraisingh and its history
Todaraisingh is a town and tehsil headquarters in Tonk district, Rajasthan, set in a rocky, semi-arid landscape in the east-central part of the state. The ASI records the place name as Todarai Singh; you will also see Toda Raisingh and Todaraisingh used interchangeably. It should not be confused with Todabhim, a separate town in the Karauli area of eastern Rajasthan.
According to local tradition recorded on the town’s public histories, Todaraisingh was founded in 593 AD (651 Vikram Samvat) by Rao Rai Singh Solanki, and older histories describe it as a Solanki Rajput centre in later centuries. These are traditional accounts rather than independently verified dates, so treat the founding year as legend rather than documented history.
At the 2011 Census of India the town recorded 23,559 residents. What draws visitors today is the concentration of old stepwells and temples in and around the town, several of which the ASI protects as monuments of national importance.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Tehsil town, Tonk district, Rajasthan |
| Also spelled | Toda Raisingh; ASI spelling “Todarai Singh” |
| Approx. coordinates | About 26.02°N, 75.48°E |
| Population (town) | 23,559 (2011 Census of India) |
| Headline sights | Hadi Rani ki Baori; Kala Pahar, Kalyanrai ji, Gopinathji and Pipa ji temples |
| Distance from Tonk town | About 50 km (reconfirm locally) |
Best time to visit Todaraisingh
October to March is the best time to visit Todaraisingh, when daytime temperatures in this part of Rajasthan are mild enough to walk the stepwell and temples comfortably. This is interior semi-arid Rajasthan, so April to June is very hot and midday exploring is unpleasant, while July to September brings the monsoon and the occasional downpour.
Stepwells can hold water and become slippery in and after the rains, so a cool, dry winter morning is the most reliable time for photography and a careful walk down the steps. The table below is a general planning guide rather than a set of exact climate normals.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (best) | Oct–Mar | Cool mornings, comfortable sightseeing; best light for the baori |
| Summer (avoid) | Apr–Jun | Very hot by midday; start early or skip |
| Monsoon (mixed) | Jul–Sep | Greener surroundings but humid; steps may be wet and slippery |
How to reach Todaraisingh
Todaraisingh is reached mainly by road, as the town has neither an airport nor a railway station of its own. Most travellers come via Tonk, which is about 50 km away, or drive directly from Jaipur. Distances vary between sources and map apps, so treat the figures below as planning estimates and reconfirm before you set out.
By air: The nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport, roughly 100 km from Tonk town, from where you continue by taxi or bus. By rail: Tonk district has no major direct line; the nearest convenient railhead is in the Banasthali Niwai area, reported at around 35 km from Tonk, with Jaipur as the larger rail hub. By road: Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) buses and taxis connect Tonk with Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota and Bundi; from Tonk you take a local bus or hired car to Todaraisingh.
| From | Approx. distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tonk town | ~50 km | Local bus or taxi; district headquarters |
| Jaipur | ~95–130 km | Sources differ; a car trip of roughly 2.5–3.5 hours |
| Jaipur airport | ~100 km from Tonk | Nearest airport; continue by road |
| Banasthali Niwai (railhead) | ~35 km from Tonk | Nearest reported railway station; verify trains on IRCTC/NTES |
Hadi Rani ki Baori and the ASI monuments
The single most-visited monument in Todaraisingh is Hadi Rani ki Baori, a sandstone stepwell the ASI protects as part of the “old baories locally known as Hadirani-ka-kund” (monument N-RJ-117). It is a square-plan stepwell with staggered flights of steps descending in broad tiers and colonnaded corridors along the sides.
According to published descriptions, carved niches at the baori hold images of Brahma, Ganesha and Mahishasuramardini (a form of the goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon), set into the sandstone walls. The stepwell is often dated to the 17th century AD, but that date is not firmly established, so it is best read as an estimate rather than a confirmed year. The stepwell gained wider recognition when scenes from the 2005 Hindi film Paheli, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji, were shot here.
Todaraisingh’s wider claim to attention is that five of its sites are listed as ASI Monuments of National Importance. The temples span different periods and are dedicated to different deities; the precise dynastic dating of the oldest shrines is not clearly documented in the official sources available for this guide, so this section avoids assigning a firm century to them.
| Monument | ASI number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kala Pahar Temple | N-RJ-114 | Centrally protected temple on the Kala Pahar (“black hill”) site |
| Kalyanrai ji’s Temple | N-RJ-115 | ASI-protected; Jaipur Circle records note a mid-20th-century notification |
| Laxmi Narainji’s Temple (Gopinathji’s) | N-RJ-116 | Locally called Gopinathji’s Temple |
| Old baories (Hadirani-ka-kund) | N-RJ-117 | The Hadi Rani ki Baori stepwell complex |
| Pipa ji’s Temple | N-RJ-118 | Associated with the saint Pipa; a Pipaji cave is also reported locally |
Beyond the protected monuments, local accounts list other old stepwells such as Isar Baori and Bhopat Baori, plus temples and tanks around the town. These are not all formally documented, so ask locally before planning a visit and respect any that remain in active worship.
A suggested half-day itinerary
Todaraisingh works best as a focused half-day, either as a day trip from Jaipur or an add-on to a Tonk visit. The sights are compact, so you do not need more than a morning if you arrive early.
- Early morning: Drive in from Tonk or Jaipur and head straight to Hadi Rani ki Baori for the best light and coolest air.
- Mid-morning: Walk to the nearby ASI temples — Kalyanrai ji, Gopinathji (Laxmi Narainji) and, if accessible, Kala Pahar and Pipa ji.
- Late morning: Stroll the old town lanes and any open stepwells, then break for tea or a simple meal.
- Midday: Return to Tonk or Jaipur before the heat builds; pair the trip with Bisalpur Dam or Tonk’s own monuments if time allows.
Where to stay
There is very little tourist lodging in Todaraisingh itself, so plan to stay in Tonk or Jaipur and visit on a day trip. This is the honest position: the town is a heritage stop, not a hotel base, and dedicated hotels, government guest houses or homestays could not be verified here for the town centre.
In Tonk you will find basic budget hotels and lodges; Jaipur offers the full range from budget to luxury. The bands below are indicative planning estimates only and should be reconfirmed when you book.
| Type | Where | Indicative per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Tonk town lodges and guest houses | ₹800–₹1,800 |
| Mid-range | Jaipur hotels (2.5–3.5 hours away) | ₹2,500–₹5,000 |
| Luxury | Jaipur heritage and premium hotels | ₹7,000 and up |
Food to try
Food in and around Todaraisingh is everyday Rajasthani fare rather than a dedicated restaurant scene, so eat simply and carry water and snacks for the visit. Expect vegetarian thalis and roadside dhaba meals in Tonk rather than tourist cafes in the town itself.
Across this part of Rajasthan you can look for dal baati churma (baked wheat dough balls with lentils and a sweet crumble), gatte ki sabzi (gram-flour dumplings in a spiced yoghurt gravy), ker sangri (a dry dish of desert berries and beans) and kachori (a fried, stuffed savoury pastry). Tonk is also known regionally for sweets and snacks; try what is fresh and locally recommended.
Budget breakdown
A Todaraisingh day trip is inexpensive because the monuments themselves carry little or no charge and the cost is mostly transport. The table below is an indicative per-person estimate for a one-day visit from Jaipur, sharing a hired car between two people.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Shared car (return) | ₹1,500–₹2,500 | Full-day taxi split between two travellers |
| Meals and tea | ₹200–₹400 | Dhaba lunch and snacks |
| Entry/donations | ₹0–₹100 | Temples and baori; small donation box only |
| Guide/misc | ₹100–₹300 | Optional local guidance, parking |
| Rough total | ₹1,800–₹3,300 | Per person, one day, excludes overnight stay |
Permits, photography and rules
No special permit is needed to visit Todaraisingh: it is an open town in interior Rajasthan with no Inner Line Permit (ILP), protected-area or park permit requirement. This blueprint section therefore does not apply beyond ordinary monument etiquette.
At ASI-protected monuments, follow the standard rules: do not deface or climb on carvings, carry no litter, and check for any posted restriction on tripods or drones before you photograph. India’s drone rules are governed nationally by the DGCA, so assume you need permission for any drone near a protected monument and confirm locally. At temples still in worship, remove footwear where asked and dress modestly.
Practical tips
Treat Todaraisingh as a self-reliant visit: there are few tourist services, so plan around that rather than expecting them on arrival.
- Cash: Carry enough cash in small notes. ATMs and reliable UPI/mobile coverage are easier in Tonk than in the town, so top up before you leave.
- Timings: The baori and temples are generally daytime, open-access sites; there is no verified ticket office, so reconfirm access and any fee locally on the day.
- Health: The nearest full hospitals are in Tonk; carry a basic kit, water and sun protection, especially outside winter.
- Footwear and steps: Stepwell steps can be uneven, steep and slippery when damp — wear grippy shoes and watch children closely.
- Solo and women travellers: The town is small and quiet; visit in daylight, keep a local contact or driver, and plan to return to Tonk or Jaipur by evening.
- Packing: Light cottons and a hat for the warm months; a light layer for winter mornings. A torch helps in shaded stepwell corridors.
Nearby places
Todaraisingh pairs well with other sights in Tonk district and the wider Rajasthan heritage circuit. If you are building a longer stepwell-and-fort trip across the state, you can combine it with bigger centres such as Jaipur and, further afield, the blue-city heritage of our Jodhpur travel guide.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Tonk town | ~50 km | District headquarters; old havelis, mosques and the Arabic-Persian manuscript collection |
| Bisalpur Dam | Near Todaraisingh | Large reservoir on the Banas river, reported close to the baori |
| Jaipur | ~95–130 km | Forts, palaces and the main transport hub for the region |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Todaraisingh located?
Todaraisingh is a tehsil town in Tonk district, Rajasthan, in the east-central part of the state, at roughly 26.02°N, 75.48°E. It lies about 50 km from Tonk town and is reached by road from Tonk or Jaipur. It is distinct from Todabhim, a separate town in eastern Rajasthan, and is also spelled Toda Raisingh.
What is Hadi Rani ki Baori in Todaraisingh?
Hadi Rani ki Baori is a square sandstone stepwell in Todaraisingh, Tonk district, Rajasthan, with staggered flights of steps and carved niches holding images of Brahma, Ganesha and Mahishasuramardini. The ASI protects it among the old baories known as Hadirani-ka-kund (N-RJ-117), and scenes from the 2005 film Paheli were filmed here.
Which Todaraisingh monuments are ASI-protected?
Five Todarai Singh sites are ASI Monuments of National Importance: Kala Pahar Temple (N-RJ-114), Kalyanrai ji’s Temple (N-RJ-115), Laxmi Narainji’s or Gopinathji’s Temple (N-RJ-116), the old baories known as Hadirani-ka-kund (N-RJ-117) and Pipa ji’s Temple (N-RJ-118). They are listed on the ASI’s national monuments record for Rajasthan.
What is the best time to visit Todaraisingh?
October to March is the best time to visit Todaraisingh, when this semi-arid part of Rajasthan is cool enough for comfortable sightseeing. Summers from April to June are very hot and are best avoided for walking the stepwell, while the July to September monsoon can leave stone steps wet and slippery. Aim for a dry winter morning.
How do I reach Todaraisingh?
Reach Todaraisingh by road, as it has no airport or railway station of its own. The nearest airport is Jaipur, about 100 km from Tonk town, and the nearest reported railhead is in the Banasthali Niwai area. From Tonk, roughly 50 km away, take a local bus or hired taxi; many travellers drive directly from Jaipur in about 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
Is there an entry fee for Hadi Rani ki Baori?
No official ASI fee-and-timing notice for Hadi Rani ki Baori could be verified for this guide (as of October 2026). The stepwell is generally an open-access daytime site with little or no charge, but this is not confirmed by an official ticketing page, so treat it as free-to-view and reconfirm any fee, timing or closure locally on the day.
Last updated and sources
Todaraisingh suits travellers who enjoy quiet, uncommercialised heritage and old stepwells, and who are happy to base themselves in Tonk or Jaipur. Go on a cool, dry winter morning for the Hadi Rani ki Baori and the ASI temples, and keep expectations modest on services.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Archaeological Survey of India, Jaipur Circle (asijaipurcircle.nic.in); ASI list of Monuments of National Importance in Rajasthan via Wikipedia (N-RJ-114 to N-RJ-118); Wikipedia, “Todaraisingh” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todaraisingh) citing the Census of India and Times of India; Wikipedia, “Hadi Rani Ki Baori” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadi_Rani_Ki_Baori); Wikipedia, “Tonk district” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonk_district) for tehsil and transport context. Accessed October 2026.
