The Arthuna Temple Ruins sit in the small village of Arthuna, in the Garhi tehsil of Banswara district in southern Rajasthan. This is a cluster of carved stone temples built by the Paramara rulers of Vagada during the 11th and 12th centuries CE, when the place was known in inscriptions as Utthunaka. The temples are Hindu and Jain, the stonework is unusually well preserved for its age, and the site today is a quiet, ticket-free stop for anyone drawn to medieval temple architecture off the main Rajasthan circuit.
Arthuna is a group of roughly a dozen 11th–12th-century temples in Banswara district, Rajasthan, built by the Paramaras of Vagada at their capital Utthunaka. The Shiva temple and surrounding ruins are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, and entry is free.
Key takeaways
- Arthuna, in Garhi tehsil of Banswara district, Rajasthan, holds about twelve temples built by the Paramaras of Vagada in the 11th–12th centuries CE; the ancient name was Utthunaka (per the ASI Jaipur Circle).
- The Mandaleshwar (Mandleshwar Mahadev) Shiva temple carries the site’s only in-situ inscription, which records its founding by the Paramara ruler Chamundaraja around 1079–1080 CE.
- The “Siva temple and ruins, Arthuna” is a centrally protected Monument of National Importance under the ASI; the ASI Jaipur Circle lists no entry fee (as of October 2026).
- The nearest airport is Udaipur (about 165 km) and the nearest major railhead is Ratlam Junction (about 80 km), per the Incredible India Banswara page.
- October to March is the comfortable season; the monsoon turns the surrounding Vagad countryside green but can make rural roads slow.
What are the Arthuna Temple Ruins?
The Arthuna Temple Ruins are a group of about twelve medieval stone temples in Arthuna village, Garhi tehsil, Banswara district, Rajasthan. According to the ASI Jaipur Circle, the old name of the place was Utthunaka, and it was the capital of the Paramara rulers of Vagada during the 11th–12th centuries CE.
The complex is mainly Shaiva (dedicated to Shiva), with Shakta and Jain temples among the group, as described by the Jio Institute’s digital exhibit on the site. Do not confuse this Arthuna with any similarly spelled place: the temples here are specifically the Paramara-era ruins in Banswara, in the Vagad region of southern Rajasthan near the Gujarat border.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Arthuna village, Garhi tehsil, Banswara district, Rajasthan |
| Ancient name | Utthunaka (ASI Jaipur Circle) |
| Builders | Paramaras of Vagada (a branch of the Paramaras of Malwa) |
| Period | 11th–12th centuries CE |
| Religions | Hindu (Shaiva, Shakta) and Jain |
| Protection | ASI Monument of National Importance (“Siva temple and ruins, Arthuna”) |
| Entry fee | None listed by the ASI Jaipur Circle (as of October 2026) |
History: the Paramaras of Vagada
Arthuna flourished as the capital of the Paramaras of Vagada, a branch of the imperial Paramaras of Malwa who ruled this region in the 11th and 12th centuries CE, according to the Jio Institute exhibit. Their inscriptions name the town Utthunaka (also read as Utthapanaka), which is identified with present-day Arthuna.
Seven Paramara-period inscriptions have been found in and around the temples: five from the reign of Chamundaraja and two from the reign of his successor Vijayaraja, per the Jio Institute’s study of the epigraphs. The records are in Sanskrit, written in Nagari script, and they are the main reason historians can date the temples with any confidence.
The rulers patronised both Shaivism and Jainism, which is why Shiva temples and Jain shrines stand in the same settlement. The Archaeological Survey of India began excavation work at Arthuna in 1954, which helped reveal the extent of the various temple complexes; the ASI has since carried out conservation here. One damaged inscription is said to list goods traded in Arthuna’s market, which points to the town being a working commercial centre, not only a religious one, in the 11th century.
The temples: what to see
The standout structure is the Mandaleshwar (Mandleshwar Mahadev) Shiva temple, whose inscription records its founding by the Paramara ruler Chamundaraja. Sources give the date as either 1079 or 1080 CE; treat it as “around 1079–1080 CE”. This is the site’s only surviving in-situ inscription, and the temple stands slightly apart from the rest of the group, near the village bus stand.
The largest and liveliest part of the site is the Hanuman Garhi complex, built around a large Hanuman image that, per the Jio Institute, dates to 1107 CE during Vijayaraja’s reign. The group also includes a Chaunsath Yogini (sixty-four yoginis) temple, a Shakta shrine whose spire scholars read as a shekhari-type Nagara form in the Maru-Gurjara idiom. Jain shrines complete the complex. The ASI has fenced several of the temple compounds separately, so you walk between enclosures rather than through one continuous site.
| Structure | Dedication | Verified note |
|---|---|---|
| Mandaleshwar (Mandleshwar Mahadev) | Shiva | Founded by Chamundaraja, around 1079–1080 CE; only in-situ inscription |
| Hanuman Garhi complex | Hanuman | Largest group; Hanuman image dated to 1107 CE (Vijayaraja’s reign) |
| Chaunsath Yogini temple | Shakta (yoginis) | Maru-Gurjara / Nagara shekhari form, 11th century |
| Jain shrines | Jain | Part of the same Paramara-era complex |
Plan on one to two hours to walk the main enclosures at an easy pace. If you care about carving detail, the plinth mouldings and figure sculpture reward a slow look, and early morning light on the sandstone is kindest for photographs.
Best time to visit
The comfortable window is October to March, when, as the Incredible India Banswara page notes, the air is cool and the skies are clear. Summer in this part of southern Rajasthan is hot, and the monsoon (roughly July to September) turns the Vagad countryside green but can slow the rural approach roads.
Banswara is sometimes called the “City of a Hundred Islands” and the “Cherrapunji of Rajasthan” for its monsoon greenery, per Incredible India. That greenery is genuinely pleasant around Arthuna, but go in winter if you want dependable weather for a day of walking among open-air ruins.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Oct–Mar | Best for sightseeing; cool mornings, clear skies. January range about 10.7–32.3 °C |
| Summer | Apr–Jun | Hot; May range about 19.8–42.1 °C. Start early, carry water |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Lush and green; waterfalls and lakes fill; rural roads can be slow |
How to reach Arthuna
The nearest airport is Udaipur’s Maharana Pratap Airport, about 165 km away, and the nearest major railhead is Ratlam Junction in Madhya Pradesh, about 80 km away, according to the Incredible India Banswara page. From either, you continue to Banswara and then to Arthuna by road.
Arthuna lies roughly 55 km southwest of Banswara town; figures vary by source and route (some give 38 km, an ASI report measures about 60 km from the Banswara bus stand), so treat the distance as indicative and reconfirm locally. The village is connected by road to Banswara and to Santrampur in Gujarat, and regular bus services run on this route. There is no direct rail service to Arthuna itself, so plan the last leg by bus or hired taxi. Road and transport details below are planning estimates as of October 2026 — reconfirm before you travel.
| From | Distance (approx.) | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Banswara town | ~55 km (sources vary 38–60 km) | Bus or taxi |
| Ratlam Junction (rail) | ~80 km (to Banswara) | Rail, then road |
| Udaipur (airport) | ~165 km (to Banswara) | Air, then road |
| Santrampur (Gujarat) | Road-connected | Bus or taxi |
A suggested day plan
Arthuna works best as a half-day or day trip from Banswara rather than an overnight stop, because accommodation at the village itself is limited. A workable plan:
- Morning: Leave Banswara early, reach Arthuna in time for soft light. Start at the Mandaleshwar Shiva temple near the bus stand, then walk the Hanuman Garhi complex.
- Late morning: See the Chaunsath Yogini shrine and the Jain temples; take time over the carved plinths and sculpture.
- Midday: Return towards Banswara; stop for a Rajasthani thali en route.
- Afternoon: Pair the trip with a Banswara sight such as the Tripura Sundari temple or Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam.
If you are building a longer southern-Rajasthan route, Arthuna slots neatly into a Udaipur-based itinerary. Travellers heading onward across the state to the Thar cities can read our Jodhpur travel guide for the next leg.
Where to stay
Stay in Banswara town rather than at Arthuna, as the village has little formal accommodation. Banswara has a modest spread of budget and mid-range hotels and guesthouses; there is no large luxury-hotel market here as of October 2026.
Because published, verifiable room tariffs for this district are limited, the bands below are indicative planning estimates only — reconfirm current rates at the time of booking:
- Budget: roughly ₹800–₹1,800 a night for simple guesthouses and basic hotels (indicative estimate — reconfirm).
- Mid-range: roughly ₹1,800–₹4,000 a night for better-equipped town hotels (indicative estimate — reconfirm).
- Luxury: limited; for high-end stays, many travellers base in Udaipur instead.
Book ahead around the Baneshwar Fair and other regional festivals, when Banswara’s rooms fill quickly.
Food to try
Expect Rajasthani home cooking rather than a dedicated “Arthuna cuisine”. Banswara sits in the tribal Vagad region, and local eateries typically serve a standard Rajasthani thali (a platter of several dishes). Carry water and snacks for the temple visit itself, as options at the village are basic.
- Dal bati churma (baked wheat dough balls with lentils and a sweet crumble) — Rajasthan’s signature plate.
- Ker sangri (a dry preparation of wild desert berries and khejri beans) — a classic Rajasthani side.
- Laal maas (a fiery red mutton curry) — for those who eat meat; southern Rajasthan does spicy well.
Dish names and regional availability can vary; the specific restaurant recommendations floating around travel blogs are not something we could verify, so ask locally.
Budget breakdown
A day trip to Arthuna is inexpensive, mainly because the monument itself is free to enter. The table below is a planning estimate for one person on a day visit from Banswara (as of October 2026); your real cost depends on whether you share a taxi or take buses.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Arthuna entry | 0 | No ASI entry fee listed |
| Local transport (return) | 800–2,500 | Shared taxi or bus from Banswara; higher if hiring a car |
| Meals | 200–500 | Thali plus snacks |
| Guide / misc | 0–500 | Optional |
| Day total | ~1,000–3,500 | Excludes Banswara accommodation |
Fees, permits and rules
No special permit is needed to visit Arthuna, and the ASI Jaipur Circle lists no entry fee for the site (as of October 2026). This is a normal centrally protected monument, open to the public, not a restricted or inner-line-permit area.
As a protected monument, the usual ASI conduct rules apply: do not touch or climb the carvings, do not remove anything from the site, and keep the enclosures clean. These are living religious places as well as ruins, so dress and behave respectfully, especially where worship continues. We could not verify specific photography, tripod or drone charges for Arthuna; if you plan to fly a drone, check current ASI and local-administration rules first, as drone use over protected monuments is tightly controlled in India.
Practical tips
Treat Arthuna as a rural day trip and plan the logistics before you go. A few specifics:
- Timings: ASI open-air sites of this kind are generally accessible during daylight hours; there is no ticket counter to clear. Confirmed fixed hours were not available to us, so arrive in the morning to be safe.
- Cash and connectivity: Carry cash, as UPI and card acceptance at a small village cannot be assumed. Mobile network can be patchy in rural Vagad; download maps offline before leaving Banswara.
- Transport: Fix a return taxi or confirm the bus schedule in advance, since onward options from the village thin out by late afternoon.
- Medical: The nearest full hospital facilities are in Banswara town; carry any personal medication.
- Solo women travellers: This is a quiet rural site that empties out; it is sensible to visit during daylight and to keep a return ride arranged rather than relying on finding one on the spot.
- Packing: Sun hat, water and sturdy shoes in summer; a light layer for cool winter mornings; insect cover and a rain shell in the monsoon.
Nearby places
Arthuna pairs well with Banswara’s other sights, most of which the Incredible India Banswara page lists. The town is built around the Mahi River and is known for its lakes, dams and tribal heritage.
| Place | Distance (approx.) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Tripura Sundari temple | Near Banswara | Revered Shakta temple with an eighteen-armed goddess idol |
| Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam | Near Banswara | Major dam on the Mahi River; scenic in monsoon |
| Mangarh Dham | Banswara district | Site of the 1913 killing of Bhil people under Govind Guru; a memorial of tribal history |
| Andeshwar Parshwanath | Banswara district | Hilltop Jain shrine |
| Anand Sagar Lake | Banswara town | Lake with chhatris (cenotaphs) and gardens |
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Arthuna Temple Ruins located?
The Arthuna Temple Ruins are in Arthuna village, in the Garhi tehsil of Banswara district, in the southern tip of Rajasthan near the Gujarat border. The site lies roughly 55 km southwest of Banswara town, in the historical Vagad region. The ancient name of the place, per the ASI, was Utthunaka.
Who built the Arthuna temples and when?
The Arthuna temples were built by the Paramara rulers of Vagada during the 11th and 12th centuries CE, when Arthuna was their capital. The Mandaleshwar Shiva temple’s inscription records its founding by the Paramara ruler Chamundaraja around 1079–1080 CE, and a Hanuman image is dated to 1107 CE under his successor Vijayaraja.
Is there an entry fee for the Arthuna temples?
No, the ASI Jaipur Circle lists no entry fee for the Arthuna temples as of October 2026. The “Siva temple and ruins, Arthuna” is a centrally protected Monument of National Importance, open to the public without a ticket. Fees and rules can change, so reconfirm with the ASI before you travel.
What is the best time to visit Arthuna?
October to March is the best time to visit Arthuna, when, per Incredible India, the air is cool and the skies are clear for walking among open-air ruins. The monsoon (July–September) turns the Vagad countryside green but can slow rural roads, and summer is hot, so start early if you go then.
How do I reach Arthuna from Udaipur or Banswara?
Reach Arthuna by road via Banswara. The nearest airport is Udaipur (about 165 km to Banswara) and the nearest major railhead is Ratlam Junction (about 80 km to Banswara), per Incredible India. From Banswara, Arthuna is roughly 55 km by bus or taxi; there is no direct train to the village.
How much time do I need at the Arthuna temples?
Allow one to two hours to walk the main temple enclosures at Arthuna at an easy pace, or longer if you want to study the carvings closely. Most travellers visit as a half-day or day trip from Banswara, often combining it with a Banswara sight such as the Tripura Sundari temple or Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam.
Last updated and sources
Go to Arthuna if you want medieval temple architecture without crowds and are already exploring southern Rajasthan or Banswara; the quiet winter months are the easiest time to visit.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism), Banswara; Archaeological Survey of India, Jaipur Circle — Arthuna; Jio Institute digital exhibit — Arthuna group of temples; List of Monuments of National Importance in Rajasthan (used to locate the ASI listing). Accessed September 2026.
