Banswara is not a big tourist town, and that means the list of things worth doing is short and honest rather than padded out. Here is ours, in the order we would actually do them.
1. See the hundred islands from Chacha Kota
The single best thing in the district. The Mahi backwaters spread out below with the islands standing clear across the water. Early morning or an hour before sunset, November to February. Nothing is built there — no shade, no facilities, no railing.
2. Mahi Dam
Sixteen kilometres out, and the reason the islands exist at all. Half an hour is enough unless you are particularly interested in the engineering. Combine it with Chacha Kota in one trip.
3. Darshan at Tripura Sundari
A Shakti Peeth with an eighteen-armed black stone idol of the goddess riding a tiger. Twenty kilometres. Extraordinary during Navratri, peaceful on an ordinary weekday morning.
4. An evening at Kagdi Pick Up Weir
Three kilometres from the hotel — gardens, fountains, water channels, and half of Banswara out for the evening. The best hour of the day here, and it costs nothing.
5. Paraheda Shiv Temple
A twelfth-century Shiva temple built by King Mandalik, twenty-five kilometres out. One of the older surviving structures in the district, and almost nobody visits it — which is much of the appeal.
6. Mangarh Dham
The site of the 1913 massacre of Bhil freedom fighters under Govind Guru, now a national monument. Two hours away, and it needs a full day and some reading first. Not a casual stop — it is a memorial.
7. Arthuna
Eleventh and twelfth-century Hindu and Jain temple ruins, scattered over a site. The most archaeologically significant place in the district. Ninety minutes out, and it rewards a slow visit with a guide or some background reading.
8. Eat the local vegetarian food
Banswara is largely vegetarian, and the food carries a Gujarati influence from across the border. Gatte ki sabzi and ker sangri are the two worth going out of your way for. Our own restaurant has been pure vegetarian since 2003.
9. Climb to Madareshwar
A Shiva shrine set into a natural cave in the hillside, reached on foot. Seven kilometres out, a short but genuine climb, and the view back over the town is the reward. Go early — there is no shade on the way up.
10. Andeshwar Parshwanathji Jain temple
A Jain temple dedicated to the twenty-third Tirthankara, and a place of pilgrimage for Jain families across this part of Rajasthan. Forty kilometres out. Observe the etiquette — footwear and leather items stay outside.
What we would skip
Jua Waterfall, outside the monsoon. It is a seasonal fall. From October onwards there is progressively less to see, and by April usually nothing. Ask before you drive seventy-five minutes.
How to fit it in
Two days covers items 1 through 5 and 8 comfortably. A third day gets you Arthuna or Mangarh — not both.
Full details, distances and timings are in our guide to places in Banswara, and our rooms are ten minutes from most of the town.