Dedicated to the Hindu folk deity, Khetlaji, the Sonana Khetlaji Temple is located in the Pali district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. The ancient Sonana Khetlaji Temple is one of the famous temples of Rajasthan in the village of Sonana. The Khetlaji deity is worshipped by the people of different caste and creed of the Marwar region.

Legend of Sonana Khetlaji Temple
The origin of the Sonana Khetlaji Temple is unknown but is said to be almost 800 years old. The temple demonstrates the beautiful art of the ancient Rajput architecture. In this temple, the Hindu folk deity of Khetlaji is worshipped in the form of Lord Bhairava, who is considered to be the 5th incarnation of Lord Shiva.

According to the local legends, it is said that once Shri Khetlaji came to Mandor from Kashi and visited the village of Sonana. It is here in the Aravalli mountain range that Lord Bhairav appeared to protect the meditating sages. He made his abode in one of the caves near the Sonana Khetlaji Temple and thus, the place became a permanent place of holiness and people started to worship Lord Bhairav here.

Festivals of Sonana Khetlaji Temple
As per the Vikram Samvat calendar in the month of Chaitra, there is a two days fair in the honour of Shri Khetlaji. Organized immediately after Holi, the fair attracts throngs of devotees and a large number of Holi dancers, who attend the festivities in conventional and fancy dresses. But the main aspect of the festivities is the show put on by the numerous well trained Thoroughbreed horses that perform different skills and even dance to the rhythms of musical instruments and entertain the audience.

Visiting Information on Sonana Khetlaji Temple
The nearest railway station is at Rani at a distance of almost 24 km from the temple and the Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur is the closest at a distance of 130 km from the Sonana Khetlaji Temple. And by roadways the village of Sonana is about 65 km from Pali and is well connected to the other major cities of the state.