This 12th century Vishnu temple has potential of spiritual tourism site

Udaipur: In the lap of dense impassable forest of Aravalli Hills (Van-Durg of Kautilya's classification of forts) stands the undamaged 12th Century Padmanath Temple Complex with statues of Vishnu & his consort, Goddess Durga, and Surya Pratima all beautifully carved. Of special interest are the two well carved relief panels of the deity Sun mounted on seven horse drawn chariots.

The stone inscriptions at the temple describe the details of this temple that began on Akshay Tritiya of VS 1232 (April 1172 CE). Palasma is located 78 km NW of Udaipur on way to Ranakpur via Gogunda (38 km). About five km east of Palasma is the renowned lofty dense-forested hill-Jargaji-the fourth highest hill (at 1431 m) of Rajasthan after the three of Mt. Abu (Gurushikhar 1722 m; Ser, 1597m & Dilwara,1442m ), but much higher than Kumbhalgarh that has an elevation of 1224 m.

The western slope of this hill is also the Udgam-sthal (origin) of Banas river near which is built a 'Banas-Ganga Ghaat Dwaar', there is also a Shiv temple on the slope of the hills with a sacred grove (Dev-Vanee) having a big banyan tree and MFPs (minor forest produces, honey, leaves etc.) . "Palasma can be developed as a Spiritual-Tourism Site that ends at the Jain & Surya Temples of Ranakpur.

A tourist instead of going directly to Ranakpur, should go via Palasma & Jargaji for that total appreciation of the hills-forest-temple-village life aspects" suggests retired professor PS Ranawat. Palasma being located deep in inaccessible forest, hence it remained undamaged during past eight and half centuries, while the more accessible temples bear the brunt of damages by invading armies. Ranakpur Sun Temple's outside panels have various deities, including that of Lord Ganesh, all mounted on seven-horse drawn chariots!