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Temples In Jaipur

Jaipur Sun Temple | Stupefying View of the City

Sun Temple of Jaipur is situated on the Eastern hill range of the city, popularly known as Galta hills. It is also called Jaipur Surya Mandir by the locals. Located en-route Jaipur Monkey Temple or Galtaji Temple, it is one of the important heritage temples of Jaipur. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II was instrumental in the building of Surya Temple in Jaipur.

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Surya Temple as viewed from the nearby hill

 

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The Sun Temple as seen from the approach path.
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Surya Temple as viewed from the Galta Gate

What makes this entire area special is that there are many small temples on the way to the Galtaji temple. Some of these are popular like Surya Mandir and Galta temples.

Read: 5 Things You Need To Know About Galta Temples

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GaltaJi Kund famed for the holy dip
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The famous Monkey temple or Galta Mandir as it is locally known

Hindu devotees visit this area in large numbers and you will find many people feeding the cows and monkeys which indirectly becomes the reason for all the filth and litter on this route. Feeding animals is a part of the Hindu ritual to earn good Karma.

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Devotees try to earn good karma by feeding monkeys
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Surya Temple and the surrounding area

You will find monkeys on your way to the Sun Temple. Rhesus Macaque species rule these hills.

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Monkeys at Galta hill. On the way to Surya temple, Jaipur

Rhesus Macaque monkeys are the most aggressive species found in this part of India. They have a reputation for attacking humans if carrying eatables! It is not their fault because they are used to being fed by the devotees. They assume eatables are meant for them! It is best to stash away all food items inside your bag, you’ll be safe and good!

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Monkeys of Galta hills, Jaipur

How to reach Jaipur Sun Temple

The route to the temple bifurcates at the hill-top. One part of the path descends towards Galta Temples, while the other one leading to the Sun temple takes a right turn.

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Take a right from this junction to reach Jaipur Sun Temple

From this junction, it only takes another minute or so to reach the Sun temple. In all, it takes around 10-20 minutes to reach the Sun temple from Galta Gate.

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Surya Temple, Jaipur – Entrance

The temple premise is constructed in an old-style having a huge wooden door locally called pol, which you often see in the Havelis in the walled part of Jaipur city.

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Entrance -Surya Temple, Jaipur

History of Sun Temple in Jaipur

The Sun Temple was built by Diwan Rao Kripa Ram in 1734 AD under the guidance of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. As per information available, Rao Kripa Ram was a minister in Jaipur court.
Jaipur city was laid out as per the Sthapatya Veda (old Indian architectural science) because of which the temples were placed at all strategic points. Sun temple is situated on the eastern side of the east-west axis of the old Jaipur city. The road which originates in front of the Sun temple used to be the most important arterial road connecting the East gate with the West gate of the city (the walled city or old Jaipur). Suraj Pol was on the Eastside and Chand Pol on the west side. Suraj = Sun and Chand = Moon. Each gate finds its name on the basis of astronomy. It was logical to build the Sun temple on the Eastern hill range as the Sun rises from the East direction.

Read more about these gates or Pols of Jaipur: Old City Gates of Jaipur

One might be tempted to ask why so much importance has been given to the Sun Temple? The answer lies in the ancestry of Jaipur Royalty. The Jaipur royalty considers themselves descendants of Lord Ram through his son – Kush. As Lord Ram was a descendant of Surya or Sun, his lineage was called Suryavanshi.

Before Indian independence, as a ritual, a procession from the Sun temple would pass through the city on a specified date. The custom still continues but it has lost its charm and glory. It was an important event attended by the King and drew huge crowds of the public as well. This explains the importance of the Surya temple for the Jaipur royalty.

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An old photo of the procession passing through Jaipur from the Sun Temple

Even to this day, an effigy which was used in the procession is still placed prominently in the temple.

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Picture of the effigy used in the Rath Yatras for centuries, at Sun Temple, Jaipur

On closer inspection, one finds that this temple has a similar architectural style as the Kalki temple. Although on a scale, the Sun temple is much smaller. Both these temples were made under the order and guidance of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II – the founder of Jaipur city.

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The architecture of Surya temple, Jaipur, resembles very closely to that of the Kalki temple, Jaipur

The temple faces north while the entry for devotees is from the east side. The Sun Temple is open for devotees from Sunrise to Sunset. The Sun Temple has been managed by the priest family ever since it was built.

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Surya Mandir, Jaipur. Side view
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Surya Temple, Jaipur. Another view
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Idols – Surya Temple, Jaipur

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The entrance Gate or Pol of the Sun Temple along with the Vimana or tower of the temple

Read: 5 Things You Need To Know About Galta Temples

Jaipur Sun Temple Timing 

The Jaipur Sun Temple is open throughout the day from sunrise to sunset. It is best to visit Surya Mandir in the early morning or around sunset in the winter season. Although the temple doesn’t boast of any striking features or uniqueness, it offers great views of Jaipur City. You can also club it up with a visit to Galta Ji temple or Jaipur Monkey Temple.

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View from the Sun Temple, Jaipur

Sun Temple Sunset

Sunset at the Sun Temple is one of the hidden charms of visiting this heritage temple of Jaipur. I have already written a full post on watching a sunset from the Sun Temple – Fascinating Sun Temple Sunset

How to reach Sun Temple & Galtaji Temple in Jaipur

The only sore point while visiting the Sun Temple is litter one has to encounter on the way from the Galta gate. You can avoid all this if you take an alternative route via the Agra road via Ghat Ki Guni and Sisodia Rani Bagh.

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How to reach Galtaji and Sun Temple from the Galta Gate
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An alternative route to reach Sun Temple, Jaipur

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60 thoughts on “Jaipur Sun Temple | Stupefying View of the City”

  1. Pingback: Skywatch- Sunrise/ Monkey Valley/ Hiking | jaipur thru my lens !!

    1. Bellybytes …monkeys are one of the smartest animals around. They have a strong reactive and analytical sense which is hard to find in other animals. When you add swift body response… it is a rare combination! Monkeys used to humans feeding them in popular places assume that whatever you carrying is meant for them. In that sense they are only exercising their right! 😉

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      2. Sure, I would love to suggest you few good places. Let me know which season or month you are planning to visit along with time available, will suggest you accordingly. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m happy that you liked my pictures. Let me also take opportunity to appreciate your Photography skills too! 🙂
      I love to explore unique aspects about place, culture, people and traditions! 🙂 thanks for checking it out on this blog

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      Reply
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  8. Hi, I do love Hindu temples, I’ve seen quite a few and lots of Buddhist temples too. I find temples with Ganesha idols the most interesting and your photos are beautiful, thanks for the sharing, Noi.

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    1. Hey! Noi, there is no doubt that your native country has one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples on this planet. I came across lovely Ganesha image just outside the Central mall in Bangkok. There are some differences in the image form though but that’s justifiable given the difference of country and art forms.
      Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts here. Keep visiting this blog for more such temples. 🙂

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  11. Interesting history and information along with the lovely travel photographs. Those monkeys look a little angry in the pictures. I’m not sure feeding them has been good for their Karma. How about the cows? I didn’t see any photographs of them. Is it proper to take pictures or are they not allowed to be photographed? Visiting from BUYB.

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    1. Happy to know you liked this post. Well, we have two types of monkeys here – the red face and the black face with long tail also called langur. The former is more aggressive, intelligent and notorious too. Generally, I prefer to stay away from them. I haven’t posted any pictures of cow here but there are plenty. Probably, I’ll post one soon in a follow up post which is long overdue. There’s no problem in taking their pictures…there’s no rule from authorities on photography. Have you ever visited India?

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      1. I have never been to India. It is so intriguing to me and so foreign that I cannot imagine it really! Like others can’t imagine seeing moose like we have in Maine, I can’t imagine monkeys with attitude. Or cows roaming free due to their significance to the Hindu religion.

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      2. I guess most tourists from your region find everything here exotic because it is all alien and there is tremendous sensory blast – sights, sound and smell! I think you should visit India some day. It will definitely be a great experience.

        Liked by 1 person

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