So early in the last month of March, just before the Coronovirus Crisis intensified in India, I was on a visit to the beautiful, vibrant and historic city of Jaipur. This post is about the very little spoken jewel just 10 km from the city center, a temple so beautiful that it instantly captured my heart, the Galtaji Dham. Just 10 kms away from central Jaipur, is a beautiful temple, hidden, tucked away from the hubbub of the bustling and beautiful city, in between the hills of Aravalli ranges. Home to several troops of Monkeys, reason why it’s also called as Monkey Temple, The Shri Galtaji Dham or Galtaji Mandir is a marvellous creation in itself. The majestic Temple complex dates back to early 15th Century. Galata ji temple is located in the Aravalli hills and nestled between two cliffs of rock valley and the steps in this rock valley lead to this shrine of Rishi Galav and Hindu pilgrimage site which is surrounded by hills from all side.
Getting there
Galtaji Dham is about 10-12 kms from the centre of Jaipur City. You can easily get there by hiring an autorickshaw or radio taxi services like Uber and Ola. Although for single, solo travellers, a much better and convinient option is to use bike taxis like Ola Bikes, Uber Metro or Rapido.
The main temple building is built from pink sandstone. The temple features a number of pavilions with rounded roofs carved pillars, and painted walls. The natural spring which is present on top of the hill, provides sources of water and flows into lower kunds (Water Tanks) below the hill. The complex is set around a natural spring and waterfalls that create 7 Holy Ponds. The temple is known for its natural springs, the water from which accumulates in Kunds. There are seven tanks, the holiest being the Galta Kund, which never goes dry. It is considered auspicious to bathe in the waters of Galtaji, especially on Makar Sankranti, and thousands come to bathe every year. The temple complex of Sita Ram ji temple is colloquially known as the Monkey temple (Galwar Bagh) in travel literature, due to the large number of monkeys who live in here. There is a small temple on the top of the hill dedicated to the Sun God. It is known as Surya Mandir.