Kalyan Rai Ji Temple Toda Rai Singh Rajasthan

Kalyanraiji Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Todaraisingh Town in Tonk District of Rajasthan. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This east-facing temple stands on a high platform and includes a sanctum, an antrala (vestibule), and a pillared sabha mandapa (assembly hall). The sanctum is designed in the pancharatha style. Its doorway is intricately carved with five decorative bands, and the lintel features an image of Ganesha. Inside, the sanctum houses an image of Kalyanraiji.

The shikhara (spire) is curvilinear, adorned with smaller spires (urushringas and karnashringas), and topped with an amalaka. The niches around the sanctum depict Uma Maheswara (north), Trimurti (west), and Durga (south). On the eastern exterior wall of the sabha mandapa, there are unique sculptures of Dholamaru on a camel, placed on both sides of the entrance.

History

The temple is believed to have been built in the 16th century CE. Todaraisingh town was founded by Rai Singh Solanki in 593 CE and named after him. The name “Todaraisingh” translates to “the settlement of Rai Singh.”

Legend

According to legend, about 5,600 years ago, an Apsara (heavenly maiden) was cursed to live on Earth for 12 years. During her time on Earth, King Digva offended her, and she cursed him, causing him to become a leper. To seek relief from the curse, King Digva meditated and prayed. One day, he heard a divine voice telling him that a statue of the deity would appear on the seashore and that he must install it to be cured. The King found the statue, brought it to this location, and established the temple, where the idol was installed.

Major festivals celebrated here include Vaishakh Purnima, Shravan Ekadashi, Amavasya, and Jal Jhoolni Ekadashi. These occasions are marked by grand fairs and vibrant gatherings, where devotees offer prayers, seek blessings, and express their faith in the divine.