Tonk travel guide

Tonk, India

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Tonk

Introduction

Tonk sits in the Indian state of Rajasthan, roughly 95 km by road south of Jaipur, near the right bank of the Banas River. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Tonk District and was once the capital of the princely state of Tonk under British India, a history that shapes its character today. Among the places you can visit are the Shahi Jama Masjid, the Arabic Persian Research Institute, Sunhari Kothi, Hathi Bhata, Haadi Rani Ka Kund, the Annapurna Dungri Ganesh Temple, Rasiya Ki Tekri, Kidwai Park, Ghantaghar, Kamdhenu Circle, Nehru Garden, and Chaturbhuj Talab Lake. The city also has a connection to cinema: Kamal Amrohi's film *Razia Sultan* was shot here in the early 1980s.

Getting there

Tonk is reached by road, roughly 100 km from Jaipur. There is no railway station in the town itself; the closest is Banasthali Niwai, about 38 km to the north, so plan on covering the final stretch by road.

Getting around

Tonk is reached by road, and road is how you get around once you are there. There is no railway station in the town itself and no metro or tram network, so every journey into, out of, and around Tonk is made by vehicle or on foot. If you arrive by train, your railhead is Banasthali Niwai railway station to the north, and you will need a road transfer for the final leg into town; sort that onward transport out in advance rather than assuming you can find something on arrival.

Buses are the main form of public transport, connecting Tonk with Jaipur and other destinations in the region, and they are a practical choice if you are travelling on a budget or would rather not hire a vehicle. Taxis and hired cars are the most flexible option, particularly for the station transfer or the longer run from Jaipur, and it is sensible to agree on your fare or hire arrangement before setting off. Within Tonk, walking is a reasonable way to get a feel for the city and cover short distances, but for anything beyond the immediate area you will need a vehicle, since the places you are likely to want to reach are spread out and the surrounding region is rural.

Where to stay

For practical purposes, Tonk offers very little choice when it comes to sleeping, so plan your stay around the single listed option rather than expecting a range of neighbourhoods to compare. Keshar Palace sits at the New Bus Stand on the Jaipur road, which puts you on the main approach into the city and makes it a straightforward base if you are arriving or leaving by bus. It is a two-star hotel with free parking, useful if you are travelling with your own vehicle. Beyond that, the source gives no detail on rooms, food or facilities, so treat it as a bed for the night and set your expectations accordingly.

Food & drink

For sweets and namkeen, head to Rameshwar Sweets Namkeen in Ghosiyan ka Mohalla, near Panch Batti; it opens early in the morning, so you can start your day with something from its counter. The source lists no other eating places, so plan your other meals around what you find as you explore.

What to see and do

Tonk's focal point is Sunheri Kothi, the Mansion of Gold. Plain from the outside, its interior is richly ornamented with stained glass, mirrors, stucco and gilt. The Arabic and Persian Research Institute holds a superb collection of manuscripts, some lavishly ornamented with gold, rubies, emeralds and pearls. Also worth seeking out are the buildings put up to accommodate British officers. Beyond the city, Ranthambore National Park, once the hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, lies within reach. Around 40 km away is Banasthali Vidyapith, a women's university, and nearby at Banasthali Newai town, by Mashi dam, stands the temple of Dev Dham Jodhpuriya, dedicated to Lord Devnarayan and housing the shrines of Sri Sawai Bhoj Gurjar, Taradey Panwar, Bhuna Ji and Mehandu Ji. About 22 km from Tonk is Hathi Bhata, built by Ram Nath Salat and linked in local telling to the Pandavas' exile. Roughly 40 km out, the Bisalpur Dam spans the Banas river, the region's biggest source of irrigation, with the Shiva-dedicated Bisaldeo Temple beside it. In Malpura tehsil, the Shri Diggi Kalyan Ji temple honours Shri Kalyan Ji Bhagwan, considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and was built by King Digwa.

Three days in Tonk

Day one: Start in Tonk, a city in Rajasthan with a strong Indian and British India heritage. Begin at the Shahi Jama Masjid, then visit the Arabic Persian Research Institute to understand the town's scholarly past. Move on to Sunhari Kothi and Hathi Bhata, and take in Haadi Rani Ka Kund. In the afternoon, head to Annapurna Dungri Ganesh Temple and Rasiya Ki Tekri. Wind down at Kidwai Park, then see Ghantaghar and Kamdhenu Circle. End the day around Nehru Garden and Chaturbhuj Talab Lake.

Day two: Explore more of Tonk District and its connection to the Banas River. If you are interested in cinema, note that Kamal Amrohi and Razia Sultan are part of the area's cultural references. Within Tonk, you can also visit Keshar Palace and the New Bus Stand area. For local flavours, try Rameshwar Sweets Namkeen. In the evening, walk through Ghosiyan Mohalla and Panch Batti, and pass by Sunheri Kothi and the Mansion.

Day three: Use Tonk as a base for a wider look at Rajasthan. Buses and taxis can take you toward Jaipur or Banasthali Niwai if you want a longer excursion. Beyond Tonk, these connections make it easy to continue your journey. If you have time, revisit your favourite spots in Tonk before departing.

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