Arthuna Stone Temples

Distance : 55kms from Banswara

Arthuna was once the capital of Paramaras who ruled over the state of Vagad. Paramaras were originally the rulers of the Malwa region in the 11th century. One of the most famous Paramara king was Raja Bhoja, a great patron of Sanskrit. Arthuna as well as its surrounding areas have clusters of ruined Hindu and Jain temples belonging to the 11th, 12th and the 15th centuries. Among the dilapidated ruins is a beautifully carved conjugated statue of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh. Lankiya village around Arthuna has Shaivite temples called Nilkanth Mahadev Temples. The temple is an old stone temples having beautiful intricate carvings and sculpted figures of women embedded in the outer walls. The bull Nandi (Lord Shiva’s faithful vehicle) stands guard at the entrance in the temple porch.


¤ The exquisite carvings of Jain & Hindu Temples

These temples stand out for their exquisite images of intricately sculpted figures of women in different poses found on the exterior walls. However, various portions of these exquisite temples have been bluntly repaired with bricks. andheshwar and Kalinjara are the other famous Jain temples. The Mandaleswar Temple, built in 1080AD by a Paramara king called Chamunda Raja, is another noteworthy one dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has some insciptions and sculpted figures, a common feature in ancient Hindu and Jain temples. However, the temple’s uniqueness lies in its fully decorated ceiling which resembles those of the Dilwara Temples at Mount Abu. Other nameless temples within the periphery also have some marvellous sculptures and figures on their exterior walls.