Monkey Temple Jaipur

>Monkey Temple Jaipur is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage about 10 km away from Jaipur, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The site consists of a series of temples built into a narrow crevice in the ring of hills that surrounds Jaipur. A natural spring emerges high on the hill and flows downward, filling a series of sacred kunds (water tanks) in which pilgrims bathe. Visitors and pilgrims can ascend the crevasse, continuing past the highest water pool to a hilltop temple from there are views of Jaipur and its fortifications spreads out across the valley floor.

Jaipur to Galta Ji, and one I hadn’t really counted on; a winding path of switchbacks and climbs amongst stray, meandering cows and hilltop temples. I had arrived at Galta Gate, the huge decorative archway standing at the city’s eastern limits at the foot of the hills that encircle Jaipur, expecting to find the famous monkey temple, only to see that I had a way to go. It’s a 2 km trek to Galta Ji itself and within minutes of beginning my ascent, my shirt is soaked in sweat from the oppressive, 40-degree air.

Hemmed inside a narrow gorge, squeezed between cliffs in a rocky valley, Galta Ji is a desolate place. I see barely any people, especially not other camera-wielding tourists. I pass a lone man sweeping beside the Sun temple, or Surya Mandir, at the hill’s peak, half-naked but for an orange sarong enveloping his legs and lower torso, his beard coarse and tangled. I nod a ‘hello’ as I pass and then, we are once again alone on our descent down towards the white buildings in the distance.

Alone, that is, until they begin to appear. I spot the first macaque sitting sentinel on a stone wall by the roadside, and then I hear the rest; a cacophony of squeals and yelps as a whole troop of them tumbles from a nearby tree, scuttling across my path like a group of scrumping children evading an incoming authority figure. These mischievous residents are the reason that Galta Ji has gained its nickname of the Monkey Temple, not for any affiliation to the monkey god, Hanuman, but for the hundreds of misbehaving macaques and more languid langurs that call it their home. It’s not known why, or for how long, they’ve been here but the area has been occupied by yogis and babas since the 16th century with the current temple being built by Diwan Rao Kriparam, a courtier of Sawai Jai Singh II, around that time.

History of Galtaji Monkey Temple
Galta is a pre-historic Hindu pilgrimage site was built by Diwan Rao kriparam in the 18th century. Diwan rao kriparam was the courtier of Sawai Jai Singh second of jaipur. By legends, it is believed that saint Galav rishi spent his whole life in search of truth as well as did 'Tapasya' for numerous years in galtaji. Happy with his penance the god appeared before him and honored his place of worship with abundant water. It has a galta kund which is a holy water tank as well as the water of the storage tank never ever dries. Taking bathroom in this holy galta kund is thought about as pavitra and also can clean your all sins.
To honor Saint galav rishi a temple was built right here and also it was named after him. Among the important truths which are related to this galta temple is that some part of Ram Charit Manas i.e. 'Ramayana' is composed in this holy place by Goswami Tulsidas. It is stated that the Galta kund has medicinal powers and also as a result of it this is known to as pilgrim centre.

Water Tanks
The temple is known for its natural springs, the water from which gathers in tanks (kunds). There are seven tanks, the holiest being the Galta Kund, which never ever goes dry Galtaji, It is considered auspicious to bathe in the waters of Galtaji, especially on Makar Sankranti, and thousands come to bathe every year.

How to Reach Galta Temple
The temple is located at a range of 11 kilometers far from pink city jaipur. You can most likely to galta ji by two various routes. The first you can hire a taxi or automobile rickshaw and drive straight to the temple. The 2nd alternative is to trek to galtaji from the end of surajpol bazaar road as well as complies with the course east through the big pink stone archway. It is approximately 30 minutes of short hike from start to end. This route provides stunning views of the temples and Jaipur while passes the sun temple.