Galtaji Temple (Jaipur)

Galtaji is an old place of pilgrimage in a narrow pass of the Aravalli hills, about ten kilometres east of Jaipur. Its temples of pink sandstone and its holy water tanks make it one of the most visited sacred places in Rajasthan. Because of the many monkeys that live here it is also called the Monkey Temple.

History

By tradition the sage Galav lived and did tapasya here, and the place takes its name from him. The temples seen today were built in the 18th century by Diwan Rao Kriparam, a courtier of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Galtaji has long been an important seat of the Ramanandi sect.

The holy tanks

A natural spring flows from a rock shaped like a cow's mouth, the Gaumukh, and fills a series of tanks, or kunds, built one below another. The Galta Kund is considered the holiest and is believed never to go dry. Pilgrims come to bathe here, most of all on Makar Sankranti.

What to see

The complex has temples of Shri Ram, Krishna and Hanuman, with painted walls, pavilions and carved pillars. A small Sun temple stands on the hill above, with a fine view over Jaipur, and is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset.

Visiting

Galtaji can be reached by road from Jaipur. There is a walk of some distance and many steps. Keep food and loose belongings away from the monkeys.