Photo: Karora23 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Eklingji Temple is one of the most important Shiva temples near Udaipur and a major spiritual landmark in Rajasthan. Located around 20–25 km from Udaipur, the temple is especially popular with devotees of Lord Shiva and is often combined with a visit to Nathdwara or the nearby Nagda temples.
If you are planning a visit, the most important thing to know is that Eklingji Temple does not remain open continuously throughout the day. Darshan is available only during specific morning, midday, and evening windows.
Darshan Timings
The temple generally opens in three separate sessions.
Morning Darshan: 4:30 AM to 7:00 AM
The early morning period includes the main morning rituals and aartis. Mangala and Shringar aartis are generally performed between approximately 4:30 AM and 6:30 AM — a good time for devotees who prefer a quieter and more traditional temple experience.
Midday Darshan: 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
The temple reopens after the morning closure. The Rajbhog Aarti is generally performed at around 12:00 PM. For travellers staying in Udaipur, reaching just before the 10:30 AM reopening can be a convenient option.
Evening Darshan: 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
The final darshan session takes place in the evening. The Sandhya Aarti is generally held at around 7:00 PM. Visitors who prefer evening darshan should try to reach before 5:00 PM so they can enter soon after the temple reopens.
Temple Closure Timings
Unlike many temples that remain open throughout the day, Eklingji Temple follows strict ritual breaks. The temple remains completely closed during 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM — these periods are reserved for internal rituals and temple activities.
This matters for visitors travelling from Udaipur, Nathdwara, or other nearby places, because arriving during the closure period can result in a long wait.
Mondays and Special Days
Monday is traditionally considered an important day for Lord Shiva, so Eklingji Temple usually receives much heavier crowds. The temple still opens from around 4:30 AM, but evening rituals may continue slightly longer or be adjusted to accommodate the higher number of devotees. If you prefer a quieter visit, choose another weekday.
Entry Fee
Entry to Eklingji Temple is free of cost. There is no general darshan ticket required — visitors can enter during the official darshan hours without paying an admission fee.
Dress Code
The temple follows a modest dress policy. Visitors should make sure that their shoulders and knees are properly covered. Suitable clothing includes traditional Indian wear, kurta-pajama, shirts and trousers, sarees, salwar suits and other modest outfits. Visitors should avoid shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless tops, nightwear and revealing clothing — simple and respectful clothing is the safest choice.
Photography, Mobile Phones and Bags
Eklingji Temple follows stricter rules than many tourist temples. Photography is not allowed inside the temple, and visitors should also be prepared for restrictions on mobile phones, cameras, large bags and electronic devices. Locker and shoe-keeping facilities are available near the entrance, including paid counters. To avoid delays, it is better to carry only essential items when visiting.
Parking
Paid parking is available near the temple complex. On regular weekdays, parking is generally convenient. However, during Mondays, festivals, special religious occasions and peak tourism periods, vehicles may have to be parked farther away — on very busy days, visitors may need to walk approximately 500 metres from the parking area to the temple.
How to Reach Eklingji from Udaipur
Eklingji is easily accessible from Udaipur. Most visitors travel by private taxi, auto-rickshaw or local bus. Local buses operate from areas such as Reti Stand in Udaipur, although tourists usually find a private cab more convenient — particularly if you are planning to visit Eklingji together with Nathdwara or Nagda.
Approximate Taxi Fare from Udaipur
For a one-way journey from Udaipur to Eklingji, approximate fares are:
- Sedan (Dzire, Etios or similar): ₹1,300 to ₹1,500
- SUV (Innova or similar): ₹2,200 to ₹2,500
Taxi prices can vary depending on vehicle type, waiting time, travel season, and whether the trip includes additional sightseeing stops. See our Eklingji Temple taxi and sightseeing page for booking.
Best Time to Visit
One of the easiest ways to avoid long queues is to plan your arrival around the temple reopening times.
- Morning/Midday option: arrive shortly before 10:30 AM to enter soon after the temple reopens.
- Evening option: reach by 4:45–5:00 PM to enter when evening darshan begins.
If possible, avoid Mondays when crowd levels are generally much higher.
Can You Visit Eklingji and Nathdwara Together?
Yes — Eklingji and Nathdwara can be comfortably combined into a single-day trip from Udaipur. A common itinerary is Udaipur → Eklingji → Nathdwara → Udaipur. Because Eklingji has fixed closure timings, the order of the trip should be planned around the temple's darshan schedule — for example, visiting Eklingji during the morning or 10:30 AM session and then continuing towards Nathdwara.
We run a ready-made Nathdwara and Eklingji one-day darshan tour that's already built around this schedule.
Nearby Place to Visit – Nagda Temples
If you are visiting Eklingji, it is worth adding the historic Nagda temples, also known as the Sas-Bahu Temples, located only around 3 km from Eklingji. The temples are known for their old architecture, stone carvings, and historical significance — because they are so close, they can easily be included in the same trip without adding much travel time.
Suggested Udaipur Day Plan
A comfortable half-day or full-day plan can look like this:
- 8:30 AM: Leave Udaipur
- 9:30–10:15 AM: Visit Nagda / Sas-Bahu Temples
- 10:20 AM: Reach Eklingji
- 10:30 AM–12:00 PM: Darshan at Eklingji Temple
- 12:15 PM onwards: Continue towards Nathdwara
- Afternoon: Nathdwara darshan and lunch
- Evening: Return to Udaipur
This plan works well because it avoids reaching Eklingji during the morning closure period.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Check current darshan timings before travelling
- Reach 15–20 minutes before the temple reopens
- Avoid carrying unnecessary bags
- Keep mobile phones and cameras ready for locker deposit
- Wear comfortable but modest clothing
- Avoid Mondays if you want a less crowded visit
- Combine the trip with Nagda and Nathdwara for better use of the day
Families travelling with senior citizens should also account for the walk from the parking area during busy periods.
Final Travel Tip
The biggest mistake visitors make at Eklingji is arriving during the long closure periods. If you remember only one thing, plan your journey around the three darshan windows: 4:30–7:00 AM, 10:30 AM–1:30 PM, and 5:00–7:30 PM.
For most tourists staying in Udaipur, the 10:30 AM reopening or the 5:00 PM evening opening is the easiest time to plan around. Before starting your journey, it is also sensible to reconfirm the day's timings, especially on Mondays, festivals, and special religious occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eklingji darshan time today?
The temple opens in three windows every day: 4:30 AM–7:00 AM, 10:30 AM–1:30 PM, and 5:00 PM–7:30 PM. It's closed between these windows for rituals.
What are the Eklingji temple timings on Sunday?
Same as every day - 4:30 AM–7:00 AM, 10:30 AM–1:30 PM, and 5:00 PM–7:30 PM. Monday tends to be busier due to its significance for Shiva devotees.
Is there an entry fee at Eklingji Temple?
No, entry is free - no general darshan ticket is required.
How far is Eklingji from Udaipur?
Around 20-25 km, roughly a 35-45 minute drive. Book a cab from Udaipur to Eklingji directly.
Can I visit Eklingji and Nathdwara in one day?
Yes - they're commonly combined into a single-day trip from Udaipur, planned around Eklingji's darshan windows. See our Nathdwara and Eklingji one-day tour.
