Keshav Rai Temple - India's Only Vishnu Temple at Chambal River Bank

By Pawan Sharma

We all know that there are many temples of Lord Vishnu all over India. Where devotees come from different villages or cities of India to visit him. We also know that India is a country of religious festivals. Each festival is related to Sanatan dharma(Hinduism) Gods or deities. Our Hindu kings have also made grand construction of temples of their deities, which are established on the banks of ancient and sacred rivers.

One such ancient and grand temple "Shri Keshavrai Ji" is established on the bank of the Chambal River at Keshorai Patan, a town in the Bundi district of Rajasthan state. Keshorai Patan is one of the oldest town in the district, which is situated at a distance of 45 km from the Bundi city and the temple is 5 Km away from Keshorai Patan railway station.

Keshavrai Ji Temple

• Architecture of temple

Keshavrai Ji temple stands on a strong base of a very big platform. The grand and imposing temple has beautiful entrance in the typical style of architecture adopted for the main gates of the temples of medieval times. 

Raja Ranti Deo started the building of the temple in Samvat 1307. But this building work was completed in four generations. The work was brought to completion in the year Samvat 1698 (1641 AD) by Rao Raja Chattar Saal Ji. 

The walls have an elaborate carving work and images of various Gods and Goddesses have been incurved. On the shikhar itself images of Gods and Goddesses nymphs and fairies, Yakshas and Gandarvas have been incurved. The uppermost portion, tapers off and on the top there is a Kalash. This shikhar is on the sanctum sanctorum. The shikhar on the Jagmohan is in the round shape. Lime stone and stones have been used in the construction of this grand temple. What makes the temple magnificent and artistically rich is the immaculate sculpture and architecture. 

Architecture of Temple

There are also temples of Sita-Ram, Shiv ji, Durga Mata etc. deities in the premises. Where everyday local people come to worship.

Other temples in premises

• Lord Keshavrai Ji 

It is believed that Lord Vishnu was pleased with the intense devotion of Raja Ranti Deo and appeared in the form of idol as Shri Keshav Ji in white stone.

The Idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of Keshavrai Ji Maharaj

His idol is seated in the Padmasana posture (Lotus position). The Idol of Shri Keshavrai Ji has four hands, in the back left hand there is a Sudarshan Chakra (discus) of Lord Vishnu and in the right hand there is a Sankh (conch shell). Both the front hands are in the lap. He is wearing a Janeu (sacred thread) on his chest, jewellery around his neck, a crown of peacock feathers on his forehead and yellow clothes.

Every morning after clearing the temple premises, the priests bathe the idol with the holy water of the river Charmanyavati (Chambal), decorate it and perform pooja (adore it). Devotees from nearby areas participate in the morning and evening Aarti.

Kartik Fair

It is the only temple in the Bundi district (Hadoti region) of the state of Rajasthan in India that is established on the banks of the river. Ever since this temple was established, a grand fair is held here on every Kartik Purnima.

Fair organised near river bank

Besides devotees from nearby places, people from various towns and villages of India come to visit the divinity and enjoy the fair. Various types of shops, swings and stage for singing and dancing etc. are organized by the city administration on the riverbank. Food and water arrangements for devotees coming from a distance begins from the market area itself.

Arrangements in Fair

The temple premises are decorated with lights. The temple seems very appealing on the full moon night. 

Temple permises decoration

The devotees first take a dip in the holy water of the Chambal river and then they have a darshan of Lord Keshavaraiji and participate in the aarti. In the premises of temple devotees recities deity's hyms. After the Aarti, the devotees immerse the lamp in the river.

Devotees taking dip in holy river

Aarti and Deep daan

People enjoy the fair, artists from different regions of India depict the pastimes of Lord Shri Krishna's life through drama. people enjoy different cuisines and also sailing. 

Crowd enjoying Fair

Apart from Kartik Purnima, devotees also come for darshan on festivals like Holi, Dashera, Dol Yatra, Sharad Purnima, Janmasthami and Ram Navami.

Regular timings: Morning - 4:00 am to 12:00 pm and Evening - 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm 

Address: Keshavrai Temple, Bank Of River Chambal, Ward Number 13, Keshoraipatan, Rajasthan 323601

Watch our cinematic travel video"Kartik Mela - Shri Keshavrai Ji Temple"

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