Are you ready to explore Galta Ji, the Monkey Temple of Jaipur? Here, you’ll find a fascinating mix of religion, culture, and nature all rolled into one. As the name suggests, the temple is home to a large population of monkeys, who roam freely around the complex and add a touch of wildness to this serene and sacred place. Whether you’re a nature lover, a culture enthusiast, or just looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, Galta Ji is a must-visit destination that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
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What is Galta Ji Temple
Galta Ji Temple is a Hindu temple located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, and it is one of the oldest surviving temples in the city. In fact, even though many say the current temple was built in the 15th century, Galta Ji is believed to be more than 3000 years old.
Galta Ji is a complex of seven sacred tanks and many temples, making it one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Hindu religion. The water comes from two natural springs known as Galta Kund and Surya Kund. These two springs are believed to be holy and are said to have healing powers.
The temple complex is also home to many monkeys which are considered to be sacred, and it is therefore often referred to as “the Monkey Temple of Jaipur”.
The Temple of Sun
The Temple of Sun is located in the old city of Jaipur and is dedicated to the Sun god, Surya. It was built in the 18th century and is one of the most visited temples in the city. The Temple of Sun is located on top of a hill, on the way to Galta Ji (which is further down).
People sometimes mistakenly refer to the Temple of Sun as Galta Ji, and vice versa. However, the two temples are distinct and different from each other, and should not be confused.
It’s a good idea to visit the Temple of Sun at sunrise, before heading to Galta Ji. The view over Jaipur from here is spectacular.
How to get to Galta Ji
Getting to Galta Ji is relatively easy, but you need to know exactly where to go. The easiest way to reach Galta Ji is to get a rickshaw and drive the road that runs from the Pink City towards the hills of Galta, until you reach Galta Gate (the starting point of the trek).
You can find the exact location below, but any driver knows where Galta Gate is. Alternatively you can also walk there, as the Gate is only 2.6km from the central area of the Hawa Mahal.
From Galta Gate, start walking upwards until you reach the first spot: the Temple of Sun. There is only one road going up so you can’t go wrong.
It is just 600 meters from the Gate to the Temple of Sun, where you can stop for a quick visit. After that you’ll need to keep walking further, descending in the valley below on a winding trail.
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Detailed guide to Galta Ji Temple
We visited Galta Ji Temple in January, setting off early for sunrise. This is probably the best time of the day to visit the Monkey Temple, as the views are gorgeous in the morning lights and the temples are quiet and charming.
Our rickshaw driver dropped us at Galta Gate at 7AM, and after a hot cup of masala chai we started walking up. There were already several monkeys at Galta Gate, so we expected to find many more on the way up.
While walking up the trail constantly offers some scenic views. The one undergoing renovation works the image below is Mohan Bari Mandir, another temple located in the Galta Ji complex.
It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is believed to be more than 500 years old. On a sad note, you can already see the thick layer of smog hanging over the buildings of Rajasthan’s capital city.
The trail is paved, relatively wide and not particularly steep, and it’s sometimes used by rickshaws as well. After walking just 600 meters, you will reach a crossroads at the top of the hill.
There are a few signs in Hindi here which may cause confusion for some. Forget them. Here is all you need to know:
If you turn right, you will reach the Temple of Sun, and if you go straight, you will get to Galta Ji Temple.
We were glad that we chose to start our day at the Temple of Sun. The morning light illuminated the area and the view of the city was breathtaking!
To enter the Temple of Sun visitors must remove their shoes, but there are no entrance fees or other restrictions. The one on the image below is the view from the Temple’s grounds.
We continued our trek from the Temple of Sun to Galta Ji, and soon after we were greeted by a breathtaking sunrise. It was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sunrises of our trip, probably only topped by the one on the Amer Wall, also in Jaipur.
The building you can see at the bottom is the entrance of Galta Ji, and it takes about 10 minutes to reach it from the top.
Once you reach the entrance you need to pay an admission fee to enter the temple. The ticket boot is actually hard to notice, as it doesn’t really look like one. However, foreigners need to pay an entrance fee here so everything is legit.
As soon as you cross the entrance you’re in the Galta Ji complex, which is such a hidden jewel. The main temple is beautiful, but it’s its location and the sacred water tanks what contributes to make it look even more charming.
At Galta Ji you can explore the complex of temples and sacred tanks. Devotees come here to take a dip in the holy waters of Galta Kund and Surya Kund, which are believed to have healing powers. On the other hand, visitors can take pictures of the stunning views and the monkeys which inhabit the temple complex.
To our surprise, there were no monkeys at Galta Ji when we arrived. However, after learning more about the dynamics of the temple complex, we realized why there were no monkeys in sight. If you want to know more, we discussed this further in the following chapter.
Take some time to explore the other temples of the Galta Ji complex. The area is full of temples and buildings of spiritual and historical importance. We were a bit in a rush when we visited Galta Ji, so we only explored a few.
Make sure to take your time and plan to spend at least 2 hours at Galta Ji.
All about the monkeys of Galta Ji
When we arrived at the Galta Ji Temple, commonly known as the monkey temple, we couldn’t spot a single monkey. This is because the monkeys actually live on the nearby mountains and not in the temple itself.
The monkeys of Galta Ji Temple live in different families and move together in groups. When one troop of monkeys arrives at the temple to eat, the previous troop of monkeys leaves. Fighting among different families is common, but it is an inherent part of the monkey lifestyle.
Monkeys are considered to be a sacred animal as they are believed to be the reincarnations of Hanuman, the monkey God. People usually feed the monkeys with snacks, leaves and fruits at the temple.
Surprisingly, the monkeys seemed to appreciate more some of the leaves than the bananas! Feeding the monkeys is not dangerous, as long as you don’t approach them too closely. Also, don’t feed them anything they wouldn’t eat in nature.
Galta Ji Temple Opening Time
The Monkey Temple is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset, usually from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day.
Monkey Temple Jaipur Entrance Fee
There is an entrance fee for foreigners at Galta Ji, which is 100 INR ($1.2 USD) per person.
Apparently there is also a 150 INR ($2 USD) camera fee for each camera you are carrying. Not having cameras/phones on show when entering the temple might help prevent some scams.
