Kale Hanuman Ji Temple is situated near Hawa Mahal in Jaipur. It is one of the oldest temples in India and was built 1000 years back. This temple is famous for the deity of Lord Hanuman -the Monkey-God, which is black in color and who is well- known for his faithfulness to Lord Rama. Basically in the temples, the idol of Hanuman ji is either of orange or red in color, however Kale Hanumanji is world- wide famed for its unique colored deity. Devotees feel a different insight inside this religious place and thus carry so many beliefs in their hearts towards the almighty.
The most significant thing about this temple is that it renders devotees a spiritual and religious experience. People visit the temple to seek salvation and relief from diseases. They chant special Hanumanji Mantra to gain health, wealth and knowledge. This temple is entitled very famous and prominent not only as the tourist point or destination but also famed for its ancient popularity and Indian tradition Religious Places in Rajasthan.
History and Legend behind Khole Ke Hanuman Temple
The temple situated on a hill top and surrounded by hills on three sides, was commissioned by Pandit Radhe Lal Choubey, a resident of Jamwa Ramgarh, after he chanced upon a rock with carving of Lord Kale Hanuman Ji Temple. Taking it as a cue, he decided to build a temple at the site in 1961.
Pandit Choubey had already started offering his prayers long before the temple was established. It is believed that Baba Nirmal Das used to worship Lord Hanuman at the same site a few centuries ago and this site was earlier called Narwar Dar Ki Khol. Pandit Radhe Lal Choubey also played an instrumental role in coming up with the Narwar Ashram Seva Samiti, a community that dedicatedly worked towards the temple building.
Architecture of Khole Ke Hanuman Temple
The Kale Hanuman Ji Temple is built in a typical mix of Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. It majorly appears like a replica of any Rajput palace, made out of Dholpur sandstone and marble, with domes and walkways lined with carved columns. The abundance of latticed windows and chhatris does add to the elegance of the temple structure.
The central location of the temple complex is dedicated to the sanctum sanctorum, where the original idol of the presiding deity is placed. It is a tiny room inside a huge building, and the idol of the deity is installed on a single piece of marble stone.
Apart from the main deity, the temple complex also houses small temples dedicated to Goddess Durga, Lord Ram, Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva. The Shiva temple also has replicas of the 12 jyotirlingas Kale Hanuman Ji Temple.
The temple complex has lush gardens, guest houses, kitchens and dining areas for visitors. The dining areas are so huge that they can serve up to 5000 people at a time. The lawns outside the temple are beautifully manicured with seating areas and chhatris. There is a marble chhatri dedicated to Pandit Radhe Lal Choubey, the founder of the temple.
Timings and Entry Fees of Khole Ke Hanuman Temple
The temple is open for visitors from 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM. There is no entry fee.
The best time to visit the temple is during the evening aarti around 7:00 PM.
How to Reach Khole Ke Hanuman Temple
The temple is situated at a distance of 11 kilometres from Jaipur Railway Station and 7 kilometres from Johari Bazar. Since Jaipur is well connected through both public and private commuting modes, it is quite easy to reach here. One may hop on a local bus, tuktuk, auto rickshaw or hire a cab from top car rental companies in Jaipur to reach the Kale Hanuman Ji Temple.