Visit Galtaji Temple (Monkey Temple Jaipur) and enjoy the view of Monkeys playing around

Galtaji Temple Jaipur

Monkey Temple Jaipur: When it comes to ancient Hindu temples, then the name of Galtaji temple Jaipur will definitely strike your mind, as it has been a Hindu pilgrimage from the 16th century. Situated on the Aravalli hills, Galta Ji Jaipur has so much to offer to the devotees and the tourists that every year thousands of people come to enjoy the scenic beauty of the temple. Galtaji temple is situated not in the main city of Jaipur but in a city Khania-Balaji, which is 10km from Jaipur. 

So, before you make your mind to visit Galtaji Temple Jaipur, and look for Jaipur tour packages take a look at the things this temple is famous for.

What makes Galtaji Temple Jaipur unique?

Galta Temple Jaipur has all the things that make it simply a remarkable spot for tourist. Perhaps that is why even many documentaries have also been made on the temple. Here are some of the points that show you why Galta Ji Temple is so famous:

Monkeys

A prehistoric Hindu pilgrimage site, this is a must visit temple in Jaipur not only because of its location which is on the Aravalli hills that offer you a beautiful view from the top of the temple but also the several monkeys that welcome you to your favorite temple. That is why this temple is popularly known as Monkey Temple Jaipur

The monkeys found here are of two breeds – rhesus macaque and langur. However, macaque monkeys, which are also one of the sacred animals in Hinduism due to Lord Hanuman, have a higher population here and they are not afraid of tourists. With respect to the Hindu tradition, they are fed by the pilgrims and they are fond of it.

There are more than 200 hundred monkeys that live within the temple complex and the rhesus macaque live in groups of four females to every male and there is one alpha male, who leads the gang and takes care that no other wandering males come near to the group females. 

Kunds

Situated on the outskirts of Jaipur, the Pink city with palaces and forts, this temple consists of several shrines in addition to holy kunds (natural water reservoir), pavilions as well as natural springs. This splendid Jaipur temple lies at the heart of a hilly terrain and its beautiful gorge have always been appealing to the tourists both national and international.

The source of the sacred kunds in Galtaji temple Jaipur is the natural spring which emerges quite high on the Aravalli hills and flows downward only to fill the holy kunds of Galtaji temple so that the pilgrims could take a dip in the sacred water tank and wash their sins. 

There are seven kunds and the largest one is known as the Galta Kund, which is believed that has been never dry. It is the deepest pool in this must visit temple in Jaipur and during festivals, the view of the pilgrims jumping from the surrounding cliffs into the kunds will leave you spellbound.

Scenic Beauty

As you already know that Galta Temple Jaipur is placed at a good height on the Aravalli hills so it gives an incredible panoramic view of Jaipur. It is set against an awe-inspiring backdrop of lush green surrounding and its beauty get enhanced with waterfalls and kunds, thereby making this amazing monkey temple Jaipur pristine natural beauty. When you are there then you do not feel like leaving it as the tranquility the environment offers you is amazing.

History and Legends of Galta Temple Jaipur

Galtaji temple Jaipur is not only splendid but has historical and mythological relevance that makes it more appealing not only for the devotees and tourists but also for historians and researchers. Galta Ji is an important center for different sects of Hinduism.

For instance, the Ramanandi Hindus come to this temple in Jaipur as Ramanandi Sadhu (original name Krishnadas Payo Hari) came here and did Tapasya and lived on “milk only” diet (which means he was a payobhaksha) that led to the adding of “Payo” in his name.

He was a saint following Ramanujacharya, which is a sect of Hinduism Vaishnavism and he worshipped Lord Ram as well as Vishnu. However, in recent years many troubles have come up between Ramanandis and Ramanujacharya sect, but one thing is certain that both Galta Ji temples are sacred places of worship.

Interestingly, GaltaJi temple Jaipur has been the birthplace of great works of literature as Tulsidas, one of the most genius poets of India spent 3 years here and composed “Ayodhya Kand” of Ramcharitmanas.

Furthermore, Shri Nabha Das composed Bhaktamal, which is also known as Sri Bhakta Maal in Galta temple Jaipur. You will be amused to know that even Govinda Bhashya, the founding philosophy of International ISKCON movement, which was started by Swami Prabhupada was written here in Galta Ji in 1718 AD by Swami Baldeo Vidyabhushana. 

Coming to the Mughal emperor Akbar, it is said that he also visited Galta Ji and sought blessings. He even donated 2592 Bigha of land to the Acharya (head or administrator) of Galta Ji and one can see its records in Galta Peeth. You must know that Galta Peeth follows the Acharya system and currently it is headed by 17th Acharya and the first one was Payo Hari.

According to the script of Galvashram Mahatmaya, it is said that on Kartik Purnima, which is a full moon day in the month of Kartik of Hindu calendar, the trinity of Hindu Gods that includes Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva visit Galtaji temple Jaipur and taking a bath in Galta Kund washes the sins and provides multiple blessings to the devotees.

In fact, there is also a belief among the locals that the Vaishnav Hindu and Sapta Puri pilgrimage of four Dhams is incomplete without taking a holy dip in Galta Kund.

The architecture of Galtaji Temple Jaipur

Galtaji Temple is one of the ancient temples of India but the present structure was built by Diwan Rao Kriparam, who was a courtier of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, in the early 18th century. The main temple was built by using pink color sandstone that again justifies the name of the city Jaipur – the Pink City. 

This temple includes many shrines and has a marvelous architecture that has attracted tourists from all across the globe. On the walls of the temple, you can find breathtaking paintings, but the most amazing part of the temple is “Gaumukh”, which is a stone head of the cow from where all the kunds get pure and clear water.

The beautiful frescoes & paintings on the ceilings and the walls of Galtaji temple Jaipur depict the Indian mythology and Hindu religion. The canopies or chhatri, lattices, and even the windows of Galta temple Jaipur has the same traditional style of Jaipur architecture. The architecture of this monkey temple Jaipur differs from the other Jaipur temples like Govind Dev Ji temple Jaipur and resembles more like a Royal Palace-Haveli with a peaceful ambiance.

Shrines of Monkey temple Jaipur

As you already know that this temple has many temples inside it from Lord Ram, Lord Krishna to Lord Hanuman and so before you pay a visit to it you need to have a clear understanding of all the important sanctorum.

There are two temples which are very important in Galtaji temple Jaipur where the two of them have haveli style architecture – Shri Gyan Gopal Ji temple & Shri Sitaram Ji temple. The most intriguing part of the Shri Sitaram Ji Temple is that it is believed that the idol of Shri Ram Gopal Ji here resembles both Lord Shri Krishna and Lord Shri Rama. It also consists of five sanctums and the idols of Lord Rama showing his various life stages.

On the other hand, Shri Gyan Gopal Ji temple is smaller in comparison to Shri Sitaram Ji temple and has the idol of Lord Krishna with a school for the students and disciples in the compound.

From the Galta Gate to Shri Sitaram Ji temple, there are many small temples, but the most prominent one if Sun temple or Surya Mandir which overlooks Jaipur city.

The sun temple of Galtaji temple is quite popular and the best time to visit it is dusk when macaque monkeys come to play around the kund area of the temple and the temple bathes in golden light, thereby giving wonderful views to the tourists.

This temple is a 15 minute walk from the west of Galta Ji Jaipur. Although Galta Ji temple is known as Monkey Temple Jaipur, but in reality it has nothing to do particularly with Lord Hanuman, but the presence of Lord Rama is incomplete with a Lord Hanuman Mandir and so at the entrance you can find a small Lord Hanuman shrine and according to the temple management there is Akhand Jyoti (a flame that’s never put off) since the time the idol was consecrated, which was centuries ago.

Best Time to visit Monkey Temple Jaipur

You can visit Galtaji Temple Jaipur all year-round but during the Hindu festivals, Makar Sankranti & Kartik Purnima this temple is heavily crowded with the pilgrims, as it is considered important to take a dip at Galta Kund on the Makar Sankranti. 

Note: It will hardly take 20 minutes to take you Khole ke Hanumaan Ji Temple, you can also visit this amazing holy temple.

  • Address: Shri Galta Peetham, Galva Ashrama, Jaipur, Rajasthan (10 km away from Jaipur city)
  • No Entry Fees, only 50 INR charged for camera
  • Visiting Time: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
  • Visit Duration: almost 2 to 3 hours
Visit Galtaji Temple (Monkey Temple Jaipur) and enjoy the view of Monkeys playing around

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