It is almost lost in the wilderness, but the Kiradu temples at the base of ancient hills a testimony of man is a devotion to God and love to beautiful temples. This twelfth century edifice shows the ravages to time and war.

Kiradu, over 22 miles from Barmer town in Rajasthan was formerly known as Karadu-koop. It was a prosperous little town which evidently had a (“Coop”) well to meet the water needs of the population. It’s prosperity attracted invaders and many a battle ravaged in its vicinity.

The Someshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the biggest of a number of temples that still stand, their beauty evident, despite their present condition. The roof of the player platform in front of the temple is supported by eight ornate pillar. Every stone that has gone in the making of this and other temple has sculptural beauty of its own. Incidents, from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are skillfully depicted by means of chiseled figures. Mythological stories, nature scenes, animals life, beautiful women in dancing, murals and other poses have been delicately carved in stone.

Hundreds of artisans bending low with chisel and hammer must have sweated for years to carve out the artistic figures that made these temples architectural gems. They must have been filled with religious zeal to have breathed such life into every chiseled stone.

Not a single piece among the thousands of finely chiseled and carved figures and figurines that once made the temple’s sculptural; treasures have been left vandalism of those who have passed through this township during the last eight centuries.