Galtaji Temple Location: 20km from Jaipur On Jaipur-Agra Highway, near Sisodia Rani ka Bagh Built In: 18th century Built By: Diwan Rao Kriparam Dedicated to: Sun God, Lord Hanuman/Balaji Famous For: Natural water springs Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset, on all week days Galtaji Temple, JaipurA pre-historic Hindu pilgrimage site, the Galtaji Temple, is located only 10km away from Jaipur. One of the jewels of Jaipur, the temple complex encompasses natural fresh water springs and 7 holy kunds or water tanks. Among these kunds, the Galta Kund, is the holiest one and is believed to never get dry. A spring of pure water flows from the Gaumukh, a rock shaped like a cows head, into the tanks. A spectacular structure, this magnificent temple is built in pink sandstone, amidst low hills, and is structured to look more like a palace or haveli than a traditional temple. The Galta Monkey Temple has a back-drop of gorgeous landscape featuring lush green vegetation, and offers a fascinating view of the city of Jaipur. This temple is famous for the many tribes of monkeys that dwell in this area. The religious hymns and chants, combined with the natural setting, provide a peaceful ambience for anyone who visits there. History Diwan Rao Kriparam, an attendant to Sawai Jai Singh II, in the 18th Century, built the Galtaji Temple. Legends It is believed that, Saint Galav spent all his life here and performed his tapasya for 100 years. Pleased with his penance, the Gods appeared before him and blessed his place of worship with abundant water. To honour this great rishi, a temple was built here and it was named after him. Taking a dip in the natural springs of Galtaji is considered very auspicious and is said to cleanse a person of his sins. Layout Of The Temple The Galtaji Temple is located in the Aravalli hills and is bounded by dense trees and bushes. This impressive building is ornamented by painted walls, adorned by rounded roofs and pillars. Apart from the kunds, there are temples of Lord Ram, Lord Krishna and Lord Hanuman situated within the temple complex. Best Time To Visit Every year in mid-January, on Makar Sankranti, a large crowd of visitors come here to take a dip in the holy kund. Sunset is the best time to visit this gracious temple because, at this time, you can witness a large family of monkeys flocking towards the temple tank, for a bath. The visiting hours for this temple are from sunrise to sunset. Nearby Tourist Attractions You can also visit the Krishna Temple, Surya Temple, Balaji Temple and the Sita Ram Temple, situated very near to the Galtaji Temple. Another tourist attraction near this temple is the Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh, which is a magnificent palace and garden. A reminder of the regality of Rajasthan, the Galtaji Temple has a splendid architecture and is enclosed in natural scenic beauty. This temple, located in a mystical place, is a pleasure for all tourists. The sacred shrine, surrounded by a clan of monkeys, makes this place, eye-catching and interesting, for nature lovers and photographers.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 08:57:25 +0000
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