Information of Galtaji Temple, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Galtaji temple is located in the town named Khania-Balaji, in the district of Jaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, in Northwestern India. It is situated approximately 10km away from Jaipur. It is surrounded by densely forested hills on all four sides. This holy site comprises of many shrines and sacred kunds or water tanks in which adherent devotees and pilgrims have a holy dip or bathe. According to the local legends and religious scholars, a Saint named Galav resided in this spot. He did penance and practiced meditation.

Galtaji Temple Religious Significance

An ancient Hindu pilgrimage site is Galtaji temple in the state of Rajasthan. It is perfectly built in a successful manner within a mountain pass that falls within the Aravalli Hills. It is in the east direction of Jaipur. It has been since the early 1500s, retreat for Hindu ascetics belonging to vaishnavite Ramanandi sect. In the 18th Century, the current temple was built by Diwan Rao Kriparam who was a courtier of Sawai Jai Singh II. It is to be highly noted that the principal temple among the temples of Galtaji is built with pink stone. The shrine largely features carved pillars, a number of pavilions with rounded roofs and painted walls. The temple premises is set just around the waterfalls and a natural spring that create two large sized tiered pools, the lower and upper pool are used for bathing by adherent devotees and pilgrims who visit these shrine with great devotion and faith.

Galtaji Temple Architectural Significance

Galtaji temples of Khania-Balaji are purely based on the architectural styles and patterns of regional Rajasthani features. Within the temple complex, there are sub-temples dedicated to Lord Balaji which is built on the highest peak in the town named Galta is known as Diwan Kriparam plus a Sun Temple strongly belived to be built in the 18th century and dedicated to Lord Surya or the Sun God related to Hinduism. The Ramgopalji Temple is popularly known as Monkey temple or Galwar Bagh because of the presence of large number of Monkeys. The water tank of these temples is based on natural water springs which are an attention grabber in these temple complexes. During the summer and winter season, the water tank water always remain to its normal level without any shortage under any given situations and circumstances. Historians and scientific experts strongly believe that natural water of these springs largely gets accumulated in these tanks with a lot of perfection. Within the temple complex, there are seven large sized water tanks, among them Galta Kund is considered as the holiest. Most of the building structure looks like an ancient temple in this particular region. It is to be remembered that certain additional features within the temple complex were build only in the 18th century that gives a look belonging to the medieval period.

Festivals at Galtaji Temple

Galtaji temples of Khania-Balaji are largely known among the Hindu adherent pilgrims and devotees for grandly celebrating most of the major and minor Hindu festivals and auspicious days as per the religious calendar in a religious manner. On the eve of Makar Sankranti, local people, devotees and pilgrims consider very auspicious to have a bathe in the holy water of Galtaji Kund along with family members, relatives and close friends. The traditional poojas are conducted as per the auspicious time of the day as per the ancient Hindu rules and regulations. There are special timings for darshan at this temple. Therefore, people have to plan their trip as per the given time table or schedules of the day.