The history of Galtaji and the spiritual meaning of traditional practices are very closely linked. People believe that the holy Saint Galav thought about things here for a long time, did a lot of penance (tapasya), and made the gods happy with his unwavering devotion. People say that a natural spring sprang out of a rock that looked like a cow’s mouth (Gaumukh) high in the highlands because he worked so hard on his spirituality.
This spring then filled the several holy tanks that were on the land. People say that this never-ending stream of water is highly lucky and can cure and clean. Diwan Rao Kriparam built a lot of the temple complex that is still there today in the 18th century.
Most of the time, the first thing you do when you go to Galtaji is walk through the beautiful Galwar Bagh Gate. This enormous doorway with pink sandstone arches is the main route to access to the complete temple complex. Rajasthani structures have a robust construction and old-fashioned architectural features that make it simple to see what gems are within.
When you go through this gate, you’ll leave the hectic city behind and enter a peaceful place where the sounds of chanting and monkeys talking enhance the peace even better. If you follow the path from the entrance that leads into a little crack, you can see the temple complex’s tiered structures falling down the slope.
Galtaji is a city with a number of holy water tanks, which are called kunds. These tanks make the city spiritually important. There are seven of these kunds, and they get their food from the water that pours from the natural spring all the time. People believe that this spring sprang from the Gaumukh (cow’s mouth) farther up. It is also the most holy and clear of all of them.
A lot of people desire to take a holy bath in the kunds’ waters, therefore they come from all over the globe to do so. People think that the water in the main Galta Kund is quite deep and has never ran out, even during very dry times. Because of this, the location is now more well-known as a miracle. You could observe pilgrims doing puja, a kind of devotion, at the banks of these kunds to pray and ask for blessings. The shrine is even more notable since these natural springs are so uncommon in the parched Aravalli area.
There are a lot of little temples to numerous Hindu gods and goddesses, such Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Brahma, and Goddess Durga. You could find these shrines close to or even within the main building. Each of these temples, even if they are smaller, helps Galtaji’s spiritual life by giving people more places to pray and think. The paths and steps that connect these temples provide a smooth flow that enables people explore the spiritual area at their own pace.
The real Gaumukh, which is also called the Cow’s Mouth, is one of the most interesting aspects of the temple. There are carved cow heads all across the complex, even though the main spring is higher up. These cow skulls make little waterfalls that flow down into the kunds below. People recognise them for their silly behaviour, yet they might also be bad. They may take food or anything else small and shiny if they have the opportunity. A lot of followers give the gods food, mostly bananas and almonds, which creates some strange interactions between the two groups. Monkeys could see direct eye contact as a challenge, so it’s best to keep your things secure and not look them in the eye.
The kunds, the large temples, and the monkeys are the most popular things to see and do in Galtaji, but there is a lot more to do and see there. The architectural style, which is a mix of antique Rajasthani and Mughal styles, provides for a lot of fantastic photos. You can see everything, from the finely carved front to the wide views from further up.
Some tips that could help you on your trip:
The Galtaji Temple is open most of the day, from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
A local guide will tell you stories from the past, show you mythological animals, and point out little architectural details that you would not have seen on your own. This will make your experience there more enjoyable.
People in Jaipur call Galtaji the “Monkey Temple,” and it is a one-of-a-kind place. It’s a great place for individuals to go on a profound spiritual journey since it’s in the middle of beautiful nature. Visitors may see beautiful buildings, learn about the area’s history, and see the area’s one-of-a-kind monkeys. People who go here will remember it for the rest of their lives since it is a place where history, religion, and nature all come together.