Hadoti day trips
Bijolia Temples: Shiva Shrines, Inscriptions and Visit Guide
Written by Kota Rajasthan Editorial Team · Updated
Bijolia is a small walled town on the Uparmal plateau, on the road from Kota towards Chittorgarh, and it holds one of the most interesting temple groups within reach of the city. Its Shiva temples, sacred tank and Jain shrines are worth seeing for themselves, and a rock inscription here, dated 1170 CE, is one of the key documents of the Chauhan dynasty. Bijolia lies in Bhilwara district, just outside Hadoti, about 70 km from Kota, and pairs naturally with the temples and waterfall at Menal.
History of the Bijolia temples
Bijolia’s importance in the 12th century is recorded in stone. The Bijolia rock inscription, dated Vikram Samvat 1226 (1170 CE), was issued in the reign of the Chahamana (Chauhan) king Someshvara. It runs to thirty lines and ninety verses, opening with praise of Jain Tirthankaras, and historians value it for the light it throws on the early history of the Chauhans. The Archaeological Survey of India protects three sites at Bijolia: the Mahakal temple and two other temples, a 12th-century rock inscription in the Parshvanath Jain temple, and the rock inscription of the Chauhan dynasty.
The town was later a jagir (estate) of the Mewar state, held by Parmar nobles. In the early 20th century it became famous for a very different reason: the Bijolia peasant movement, led from 1916 by Vijay Singh Pathik, one of the earliest organised farmers’ movements in India.
What to see at the Bijolia temples
- Hajaresvara Mahadeva temple. Reached through a carved archway with a fine image of Ganesha, on a high paved courtyard beside the fort. Its tall lingam is surrounded by hundreds of small lingas, which gives the temple its names, Hajaresvara or Sahastralinga (the thousand lingas).
- Mahakal temple group. The Mahakal temple and two neighbouring temples, protected by the ASI.
- Mandakini kund. The sacred tank near the temples, also the name of the Mandakini temple.
- Jain temples. Five temples dedicated to Parshvanath, including the Digambar Jain Parshvanath Atishaya Teerth Kshetra, with a 12th-century inscription.
- The fort and old walls. Bijolia is walled, with gates on the north and south, and the remains of a palace.
- Undeshwar Mahadev, another old Shiva shrine often visited with the Bijolia group; ask locally for directions.
Tips for visiting
- Start with the inscription and Jain temples, then the Shiva temples and kund.
- Dress modestly, remove footwear and leather at Jain temples, and ask before photographing inside shrines.
- Combine with Menal, the temple group and gorge waterfall on the same road, which are at their best after the monsoon.
- Allow a full day from Kota if you add Menal and the Bhimlat waterfall near Bundi.
Visiting the Bijolia temples: practical details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Where | Bijolia town, Bhilwara district |
| Distance from Kota | About 70 km on NH 27 |
| Distance from Bundi | About 50 km on the Bundi-Chittorgarh road |
| Best time to visit | October to March; after the monsoon for the waterfalls nearby |
| Timings | Active temples, broadly morning to evening |
| Entry | No ticket known; check locally |
| Getting there | Car, taxi or bus on the Kota-Chittorgarh route |
Distances are approximate road distances. Timings and entry charges change from season to season, so confirm them locally before you set out.
Bijolia on a longer route
Bijolia sits on one of the best heritage drives from Kota: through Bundi to Bijolia and Menal, or across to the Baroli temples and Bhainsrorgarh on the Chambal. Our 10-day Hadoti itinerary and the hidden gems around Kota guide include it. For the full drive west, see our Kota to Chittorgarh road trip.
Combine the Bijolia temples with nearby places
- Menal Waterfall and Temples: A seasonal waterfall in a deep gorge, paired with an old group of Shiva temples, on the Kota-Chittorgarh route.
- Bhainsrorgarh Fort: A fort on a cliff above the Chambal, now a heritage hotel.
- Baroli Temples: An early medieval temple complex near Rawatbhata, among the finest in Rajasthan.
- Vijay Singh Pathik: The leader of the Bijolia peasant movement.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bijolia?
In Bhilwara district, close to the Bundi district border, about 70 km from Kota on NH 27 and about 50 km from Bundi on the Bundi-Chittorgarh road.
What is the Bijolia inscription?
A rock inscription dated VS 1226 (1170 CE), issued in the reign of the Chahamana (Chauhan) king Someshvara. It has thirty lines and is an important source for the early history of the Chauhan dynasty.
Which temples should I see at Bijolia?
The Hajaresvara Mahadeva temple, whose tall lingam is surrounded by many small lingas, the Mahakal temple group protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, the Mandakini kund, and the Jain Parshvanath temples.
What are the timings and entry charges?
The temples are active places of worship, generally open from morning to evening. We are not aware of a ticket, but arrangements change, so check locally.
Sources
Editorial team
The KotaRajasthan.net team writes about the places, history and festivals of Kota and Hadoti, and corrects pages when readers point out changes.
