The Bhand Deul (also spelt Bhand Dewal or Bhanda Dewal) is an old Jain temple in Arang, a historic town in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh, in central India. It stands in a town so full of old shrines that Chhattisgarh guidebooks call Arang the “temple town,” and the Bhand Deul is its most quietly impressive survivor: a tall brick tower, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, with three polished stone Tirthankara figures still standing in its dark sanctum. If you are plotting heritage stops on a Chhattisgarh travel guide itinerary, this is an easy half-day trip from Raipur that most travellers never hear about.
Bhand Deul is a brick Jain temple at Arang in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur district, commonly dated to about the 11th century CE. It is a centrally protected Monument of National Importance under the ASI, known for its tall, ornamented shikhara (tower) and three large black-stone images of the Tirthankaras Ajitanatha, Neminatha and Shreyanasanatha in the sanctum.
Key takeaways
- Bhand Deul is a Jain temple at Arang, Raipur district, Chhattisgarh, built mainly of brick with its three cult images carved in stone.
- It is an ASI-protected Monument of National Importance (listed as Bhand Dewal, N-CT-35), under the ASI’s Raipur Circle, protected since 1920 (verified November 2026).
- Scholars most often date it to the 11th century CE (some say 11th–12th), though a few sources cite a 9th-century date; there is no firmly dated inscription, so treat the century as approximate.
- The sanctum holds three free-standing, highly polished black-stone Tirthankara images, identified as Ajitanatha, Neminatha and Shreyanasanatha.
- Do not confuse Bhand Deul (Arang, Chhattisgarh, Jain) with the similarly named Bhand Devra / Bhand Deva Shiva temple at Ramgarh in Baran district, Rajasthan.
- Arang lies about 36 km east of Raipur on National Highway 53; the nearest airport and main railway junction are both at Raipur.
About Bhand Deul and quick facts
The Bhand Deul is a single-shrine Jain temple at Arang, a tehsil town on the west bank of the Mahanadi River in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh. The word deul simply means a temple or temple-tower, the term used across eastern and central India for the tall curvilinear spire that rises over a sanctum. Arang itself is an old settlement with several surviving medieval temples, both Hindu and Jain, which is why it is popularly called the temple town of Chhattisgarh.
According to the Archaeological Survey of India’s listing, the monument is registered as “Bhand Dewal” at Arang in Raipur district and is a Monument of National Importance. It is a Jain foundation: the sanctum houses images of the Tirthankaras, the enlightened teachers of Jainism, and the temple is associated in particular with Neminatha, the twenty-second Tirthankara.
| Location | Arang town, Raipur district, Chhattisgarh |
|---|---|
| Religion | Jain (Digambara tradition) |
| Main images | Three Tirthankaras: Ajitanatha, Neminatha, Shreyanasanatha |
| Likely date | About the 11th century CE (sources range from 9th to 12th); no firmly dated inscription |
| Material | Brick structure; the cult images carved in polished stone |
| Orientation | West-facing |
| Protection | ASI-protected Monument of National Importance (N-CT-35), Raipur Circle, since 1920 |
| Nearest city | Raipur, about 36 km west |
| Entry | Open monument; no entry fee published by the ASI |
The temple’s age, builders and architecture
Dating the Bhand Deul precisely is difficult, and honest sources disagree. The most common dating places it in the 11th century CE, and a scholarly account of the site notes that most researchers assign it to the 11th–12th century. Some descriptions, however, give a 9th-century date, and the wider group of Arang temples is often described as belonging to the 9th to 12th centuries. Because no firmly dated foundation inscription has been reported for the temple, the century rests on the style of its architecture and sculpture rather than on a dated record. It is fair to say “about the 11th century” and leave the exact decades open.
The specific patron is not recorded, so the builder is effectively unknown. Arang lay in the Mahakosala (Dakshina Kosala) region of central India and was historically associated with the Haihaya rulers; some popular accounts also link the Arang temples to the Kalachuri period. Beyond this regional context, naming a single king or dynasty for the Bhand Deul would go beyond what the sources support.
Architecturally, the temple is essentially a tall brick tower. Published descriptions, including the ASI’s nineteenth-century reports, describe a stellate (star-shaped) ground plan with multiple offsets and a tower built up in several diminishing storeys in the bhumija manner of North Indian (nagara) temple architecture. What survives today is chiefly the shikhara over the sanctum; a pillared hall (mandapa) and an entrance porch very likely stood in front of it once but are now lost. The monument was documented by the Archaeological Survey in the nineteenth century (the ASI’s reports covering 1862–1884, from the survey work of the 1870s), which is how its early condition is known.
What to see: the Tirthankaras and the tower
The heart of the Bhand Deul is its sanctum (garbhagriha), which holds three large, free-standing images of Tirthankaras carved in black stone and finished to a high polish. They are identified as Ajitanatha (the second Tirthankara), Neminatha (the twenty-second) and Shreyanasanatha (the eleventh). The images are the reason the temple remains a place of interest for pilgrims and art historians alike, and they are in notably better condition than the worn brickwork around them.
The table below sets out the main things to look for. Treat the iconographic details as reported by published descriptions of the temple rather than as a formal ASI catalogue.
| Feature | What you see |
|---|---|
| The three images | Free-standing, highly polished black-stone Tirthankaras: Ajitanatha, Neminatha and Shreyanasanatha |
| Central figure | Reported to carry a wheel (chakra) emblem, with deer and a globe-like attribute, in keeping with Jina iconography |
| The tower (shikhara) | A tall brick spire on a stellate plan, rising in several storeys; the dominant element of the surviving monument |
| Wall sculpture | Rows of carved figures and mouldings on the plinth and lower walls, now weathered |
| Later repairs | Plain plastered and whitewashed patches on the damaged front, and metal strap bracing around the tower added to hold it together |
Do not expect a pristine, fully carved temple in the Khajuraho mould: the Bhand Deul is a weathered, much-repaired brick structure, and part of its appeal is precisely that it has survived in a working town for roughly a thousand years. Give yourself 30–45 minutes to walk around the tower and spend time with the three images inside. A torch is useful for the sanctum, which is dim.
A separate point worth knowing: in May 2017 a standing stone image of Adinatha (Rishabhanatha), about 1.16 m (3 ft 10 in) tall and dated by reports to the 5th–6th century CE, was found near the temple during digging. It is a separate, much older find and not one of the three images inside the Bhand Deul, but it underlines how deep Arang’s Jain heritage runs.
Bhand Deul vs Bhand Devra: clearing up the confusion
The name trips up a lot of travellers, so it is worth stating plainly. The Bhand Deul at Arang described in this guide is a Jain temple in Chhattisgarh. It is not the same place as the Bhand Devra (also written Bhand Deva) temple, which is a Shiva temple at Ramgarh village in the Baran district of Rajasthan, nicknamed the “Little Khajuraho of Hadoti” for its Khajuraho-style carvings and set inside the Ramgarh meteor crater. The two are in different states, belong to different religions and have different architecture; only the similar-sounding name connects them.
| Bhand Deul (this guide) | Bhand Devra / Bhand Deva | |
|---|---|---|
| Place | Arang, Raipur district, Chhattisgarh | Ramgarh, Baran district, Rajasthan |
| Religion | Jain (Tirthankara images) | Hindu (Shiva temple) |
| Known for | Brick tower and three stone Tirthankaras | Khajuraho-style carvings; “Little Khajuraho” |
| Setting | Temple town on the Mahanadi | Inside the Ramgarh crater lake area |
Best time to visit Bhand Deul
The best time to visit is October to March, when central Chhattisgarh is cool and dry and walking around an open brick monument is comfortable. Summers here are hot, routinely above 40°C from April to June, and the monsoon (roughly July to September) brings heavy rain that makes photography and travel harder. Because Arang sits in the plains near the Mahanadi, there is little shade at the site, so the cooler months make a real difference.
The table below is a planning guide to the seasons; treat the temperatures as approximate and reconfirm the forecast before you travel.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Oct–Feb | Pleasant, dry days; the best window for sightseeing and photography |
| Summer | Mar–Jun | Hot and dry, often above 40°C by midday; start early and carry water |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Humid with heavy spells of rain; greenery along the Mahanadi but slower travel |
As a Jain temple, the Bhand Deul draws worshippers around Mahavir Jayanti (spring), the main Jain festival. If you want the temple quiet, avoid festival days; if you want to see it as a living shrine, that is the time to come.
How to reach Arang
The simplest approach is to reach Raipur first and then drive out to Arang, which lies about 36 km east of the city on National Highway 53 (the Raipur–Mahasamund–Sambalpur road). The drive is short and the road is good, which is what makes Arang an easy half-day trip rather than an overnight destination.
| Mode | Gateway | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur (RPR) | The nearest airport, well connected to major metros; roughly 40 km from Arang by road |
| Rail | Raipur Junction; local halt at Arang Mahanadi | Raipur is the main junction with the most trains; a few local trains also stop at Arang Mahanadi |
| Road | Via NH-53 from Raipur | About 36 km east of Raipur; taxis and buses towards Mahasamund pass through Arang |
From Raipur, a hired taxi is the most reliable option and lets you combine several Arang temples in one trip. Buses running from Raipur towards Mahasamund and Sambalpur stop at Arang, and a few local trains halt at the small Arang Mahanadi station. Confirm the latest train times on the official railway channels before you set out, as I have not listed specific train numbers here.
A suggested itinerary
Arang works best as a half-day heritage stop folded into a wider Raipur-area circuit rather than a destination in itself. A sample plan:
- Half day: Drive from Raipur in the morning, spend 30–45 minutes at the Bhand Deul, then walk or drive to Arang’s other old temples, such as the Baghdeval and Mahamaya temples, before returning for lunch in Raipur.
- Full day: Combine Arang with a return to Raipur’s own sights, or push east towards the Mahanadi and the Sirpur group of early temples and Buddhist remains for a themed day on Chhattisgarh’s ancient architecture.
- Two days: Use Raipur as a base and pair Arang with Sirpur and the riverside town of Rajim, a well-known pilgrimage centre at the confluence of the Mahanadi.
If early temple architecture is your main interest, linking Arang with Sirpur and Rajim on a Chhattisgarh travel guide route gives the clearest sense of how the region’s shrines developed.
Where to stay
There is no notable hotel in Arang itself, so most travellers base themselves in Raipur and make a day trip. Raipur, as the state capital, has the widest choice. The figures below are indicative planning estimates for a double room per night and should be reconfirmed when you book.
- Budget (₹900–₹1,800): Simple lodges and guesthouses in and around Raipur, suitable for a no-frills night.
- Mid-range (₹2,500–₹5,000): Business hotels in Raipur, the most comfortable base with the widest facilities.
- Higher-end (₹6,000 and up): Larger branded hotels in Raipur for travellers who want more services.
Chhattisgarh Tourism also runs motels and resorts at various points in the state; check the state tourism board’s current list and tariffs before relying on a government property, and book ahead during festival weekends.
Food to try nearby
Arang has only small roadside eateries, so plan to eat in Raipur, where you can try Chhattisgarhi home-style food. Dishes worth seeking out include:
- Chila (a savoury rice-and-lentil pancake, often eaten at breakfast).
- Fara (steamed or boiled rice-flour dumplings, mildly spiced).
- Muthia (steamed rice-flour rolls, usually tempered and eaten as a snack).
- Bafauri (steamed gram-flour dumplings, a lighter cousin of the fried version).
- Dehrori (a sweet made from soaked rice and curd, fried and soaked in syrup).
If you are visiting Jain temples, note that many travellers prefer simple vegetarian meals; Raipur has plenty of pure-vegetarian restaurants. Carry drinking water for the temple visit itself, since the site is open and shops are limited.
Budget breakdown
A visit to the Bhand Deul is inexpensive; the main costs are transport and your Raipur stay, not the temple. The table below is an indicative planning estimate for a one-day trip for two people from Raipur, as of November 2026, and assumes a shared hired car.
| Item | Estimated cost (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Return taxi, Raipur–Arang | 1,500–2,800 | Depends on car type and waiting time; about 75 km round trip |
| Temple entry | 0 | No entry fee published |
| Meals for two | 400–900 | Local eateries in Raipur |
| Buffer (water, snacks, parking) | 200–400 | Keep some cash for small spends |
| Approx. total | 2,100–4,100 | Lower if you use buses instead of a taxi |
Permits, photography and temple etiquette
No special permits are needed to visit Arang; it is an open town in a settled plains district with no Inner Line Permit or protected-area restrictions. The Bhand Deul is a freely accessible monument.
A few sensible rules apply. As an ASI-protected Monument of National Importance, do not touch or climb on the carvings, and do not deface the brickwork. It is also a Jain religious site, so dress modestly and follow any instructions from caretakers, especially around the images in the sanctum; remove footwear where asked. Still photography of the exterior is generally fine, but for tripods, drones or any commercial shoot, ask the ASI or the local caretaker first, since monument rules can change and some ASI sites restrict photography inside the sanctum.
Practical tips
- Carry a torch: The sanctum is dark, and a small flashlight helps you see the three images clearly.
- Combine temples: Arang has several old shrines within a short distance; a local auto or your taxi can link them in an hour or two.
- Cash and UPI: Carry some cash for small vendors and autos; UPI works in Raipur but can be patchy in the town.
- Mobile network: Coverage is reasonable along the Raipur–Arang highway; download your maps offline as a backup.
- Medical: The nearest larger hospitals are in Raipur; carry a basic kit and any personal medicines.
- Solo and women travellers: Arang is a quiet, low-key town; as anywhere, prefer daytime visits and keep someone informed of your plans.
Nearby places
Arang sits within easy reach of several of Chhattisgarh’s better-known heritage sites, which makes it easy to build a longer loop. Distances below are approximate and by road.
| Place | Distance (approx.) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Other Arang temples | Within the town | The Baghdeval and Mahamaya temples and other medieval shrines that give Arang its “temple town” name |
| Raipur | ~36 km | The state capital, with museums, markets and the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum |
| Rajim | Day-trip range | A riverside pilgrimage town at the Mahanadi confluence, known for the Rajivlochan temple |
| Sirpur | Day-trip range | The early capital of Dakshina Kosala, with the dated Lakshmana Temple and Buddhist remains |
For the full regional context, including how these sites connect across the state, see our Chhattisgarh travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bhand Deul and what is it?
Bhand Deul (also spelt Bhand Dewal) is an old Jain temple in Arang town, Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. It is a brick temple with a tall tower and three stone images of Tirthankaras in its sanctum, and it is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
How old is Bhand Deul?
It is most often dated to about the 11th century CE, and some scholars put it in the 11th–12th century; a few sources give a 9th-century date. No firmly dated foundation inscription has been reported, so the century is based on style and should be treated as approximate.
Which Tirthankaras are inside the temple?
The sanctum holds three large, highly polished black-stone images identified as Ajitanatha, Neminatha and Shreyanasanatha. The temple is particularly associated with Neminatha, the twenty-second Tirthankara.
Is Bhand Deul protected by the ASI?
Yes. It is a centrally protected Monument of National Importance, listed as “Bhand Dewal” (N-CT-35) under the ASI’s Raipur Circle, and has been protected since 1920. For any official purpose, confirm the current status with the ASI Raipur Circle before relying on it.
Is Bhand Deul the same as the Bhand Devra temple in Rajasthan?
No. Bhand Deul at Arang is a Jain temple in Chhattisgarh. The Bhand Devra (Bhand Deva) temple is a Shiva temple at Ramgarh in Baran district, Rajasthan, known as the “Little Khajuraho of Hadoti.” The names sound alike but they are different monuments in different states.
How do I reach Bhand Deul from Raipur?
Arang is about 36 km east of Raipur on National Highway 53. The easiest way is a hired taxi from Raipur; buses towards Mahasamund also stop at Arang, and a few local trains halt at Arang Mahanadi station. The nearest airport is Swami Vivekananda Airport at Raipur.
Last updated and sources
Go if you are drawn to early Indian temple architecture or Jain heritage and want a calm, uncrowded monument that pairs easily with Sirpur and Rajim on a Chhattisgarh plains trip; the best months are the cool, dry weeks from October to March.
Last updated: 2 November 2026. Fees, timings, access and protection details change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Archaeological Survey of India and Wikipedia, “Arang Jain temples,” summarising ASI Reports (1862–1884) and listing the Bhand Dewal images and protection status (en.wikipedia.org); Wikipedia, “List of Monuments of National Importance in Chhattisgarh,” entry N-CT-35 Bhand Dewal, Arang, Raipur (en.wikipedia.org); Wikipedia, “Arang,” for the temple town, location on the Mahanadi and road distance from Raipur (en.wikipedia.org); Wikipedia, “Bhand Deva Temple,” for the distinct Shiva temple at Ramgarh, Baran, Rajasthan (en.wikipedia.org). Accessed November 2026.
