Karauli

Situated to the south-east of Jaipur, at a distance of 182 km, is a small village called Karauli. This scenic territory has a rural ambiance and is known for several Krishna Temples that dot the village. It was found by Raja Arjun Pal in 1348 AD. The ruling dynasty kings belonged to the prestigious Yaduvanshi Rajput dynasty, famous for their chivalry and were believed to be descendants of Lord Krishna. The village is also the home of Shri Madan Mohan Ji, known to be Lord Krishna's deity.

Karauli is not just known as a pilgrimage centre but it is also visited by tourists for its picturesque views of Chambal river and its rugged landscaping. Its attractions include a number of historic sites too. Today, it is more of a commercial hub due to the presence of many industries and shopping areas. Don't forget to shop for its bangle specialty known as lac. You can also purchase beautiful handicraft items from the local markets.

Sites:
Kaila Devi Temple:
Situated 23 km from Karauli is Kaila Devi Temple. The famous Kaila Devi Temple Fair takes place here in the Chaitra month which lasts for a fortnight. Goddess Lakshmi or Kaila Devi is worshiped during the festival and is attended by thousands of devotees.

Kaila Devi Game Sanctuary:
Kaila Devi Game Sanctuary, in its pleasant surroundings, preserves some of the rare species of wildlife including Chinkaras, Jackals, Leopards, Blue Bulls and Wild Boars. It is situated at a distance of 25 kms from the Karauli district.

City Palace of Karauli:
City Palace of Karauli is a 17th century Palace which housed the royal family of the district until 1950. You can have a view of the antique furniture and show pieces used by the royals. The main attraction of the Palace is its Durbar Hall that showcases some of the fine paintings of that era.

Timangarh:
Timangarh is an old and dilapidated fort built around 1100 AD. The fort's precious assets were plundered in the past decades but the shades of its lost grandeur can still be seen from its interiors. It is situated around 40 km from Karauli and taxis make frequent trips from Karauli to this fort.

Bhanwar Vilas Palace:
Built by Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo Bahadur in 1938, the palace is now occupied by Maharaja Krishna Chandra Pal, whose family is said to be descendants of Lord Krishna's family. The palace features a billiard room, a swimming pool, large rooms and classic cars in the garage which transports one to the luxurious lives of the Kings.

Getting There & Away:
The best way to travel from Karauli is by train. The nearest railheads to the district are situated at Gangapur (31km) and Hindaun (30 km), that lie on the main Delhi-Mumbai railway line. So, all major trains on this route do have a stopover at these places too.