Rajasthan Darshan Desk, Bundi district of Rajasthan is also called ‘Chhoti Kashi’. This name was given because there are temples and mosques at every step, whose history is very ancient. Today we are introducing you to one such historical temple which is not only historical but is the only temple in Rajasthan. Yes, we are talking about Lord Keshavrai which is built on the banks of Chambal river, 45 KM away from Bundi city in Keshavraipatan area.
According to belief, Chambal River takes a U-turn after touching the feet of Lord Keshav Rai, and from this place the name of the river becomes Charanyamati River. It was built in 1641 by Rao Raja Chhatra Shaal of Bundi. According to an inscription installed in the temple by Rao Raja Raghuveer Singh in 1959, two statues are installed in the temple. One statue of Shri Keshavraiji is made of white marble and is in the main temple, and the other is the Krishna statue of Shri Charbhuja ji which is in the parikrama temple. Keshavraipatan temple is situated at a height of 200 feet from the river bank, just above the Vishnu Tirtha, in which various types of animal figures, human figures, dancing postures and Bhagwat stories related to Lord Shri Krishna are engraved everywhere inside and outside.
Construction completed in 4 generations
Historian Purushottam Pareek told that Lord Vishnu was pleased with the intense devotion of King Ranti Dev. They appeared in the form of statues. One of white stone is of Shri Keshavji and the other of black stone is of Shri Charbhuja Nath. Raja Ranti Dev started the construction of the temple in 1307. But this construction work was completed in four generations, because palace conspiracies and turmoil interrupted the work which could not be completed. When Rao Raja Chhattar came of age, the work was completed in the year 1698. The famous prayer “Keshavastak” of Lord Keshav Rai is performed with sastry musical tune. According to Pareek, the Chambal river takes a U-turn after touching the feet of Lord Keshav Rai, and from this place the name of the river becomes Charanyamati River.
Specialty of Keshavrai Ji Temple
Every year lakhs of devotees come to visit Keshorai Ji Bhagwan Temple built on the banks of Chambal river. The architecture built in this temple fascinates as soon as you see it. Inside the temple of Lord Keshavrai, a beautiful and attractive idol is seated in Padmasana or lotus like sitting posture. The idol is of white stone. There is a chakra in the left hand, while the conch is in the right hand. There is a Vaijayanti garland on the chest and the idol is wearing sacred thread. The temple stands on a strong base of a very large platform. The grand and imposing temple has a beautiful entrance gate in the typical style of architecture adopted for the main entrances of temples of the medieval period. Elaborate carving work has been done on the walls and images of various gods and goddesses have been carved. Images of gods and goddesses, apsaras and fairies, yakshas and gandharvas are carved on the peak. The peak of the temple has four storeys, at the top there is a Kalash. This peak is on the sanctum sanctorum. The countless images on the pinnacles and panels of the temple, floral patterns, animal images and mythological features of gods, goddesses and demons – all are wonderful to behold.
There is a rush on Kartik Purnima
The doors of Keshavrao Ji Bhagwan Temple are open in the morning from 4.00 am to 12.00 noon and in the afternoon from 3.00 pm to 9.00 pm. On the day of Kartik Purnima, at 3 am in the morning, with the sound of conch shell being heard, the ghats of Charmanyavati in Keshavdham are filled with devotees. On this day, more than 1 lakh people take bath in Keshavraipatan, the city of Lord Keshav. In the whole of Rajasthan, the temple of Keshavrai ji is located only in Keshavrai Patan. In such a situation, devotees from far away places come here for darshan and a dip of faith. Worship is done at Jambumargeshwar Mahadev, Ganga Temple, Charbhuja Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman and Ganesh temples located in the temple premises.
Development works will give wings to tourism
Tourism is soon going to gain wings in the tourist city of Chhoti Kashi Bundi under the Swadesh Bharat Darshan scheme of the Central Government. Under this scheme, efforts have been started to develop all the tourist places of Bundi city and the temple of Lord Keshavaraya built at Chambal Ghat in the district. On behalf of the Union Tourism Ministry, department officials are surveying these tourist places. The survey is almost complete. Development work will start soon under this scheme. After this, tourist places will get a boost. Tourist places existing on limited resources will get their names registered on the world map. In the first phase of the scheme, areas of 15 to 20 kilometers of Bundi and Keshavraipatan were selected. Which includes Bundi Garh Palace, Ghat on the banks of Chambal of Keshav Bhagwan Temple in Keshavraipatan, Raniji’s stepwell, Taragarh, Chitrashala, Sukhmahal and Chhatri of 84 pillars etc. A proposal has been prepared to create seating areas for tourists and other primary level facilities at these places.
Plan to include it in big temples of the country
Project convener Naveen Kumar told that Chambal river is flowing near Keshavraipatan temple of the district. Where every year in the month of Kartik, thousands of devotees come to have darshan and take bath. This area will be developed in our plan. The historical ghat, parking, highest seating arrangement, large gates, the temple will be completely developed. Because the temple of Lord Keshav Rai is not found anywhere in Rajasthan and there is a plan to develop this temple and include it among the big temples of the country.
