Garh Ganesh Temple

Among many religious places in Jaipur, the Garh Ganesh Temple is another spiritual site that is often visited by tourists during their trip here. It is located on the top of the Aravalli Hills. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and it is believed that in this temple Ganesha resides in the form of a small child called Purushakriti.

Another unique thing about this temple is that the idol of Ganesha here does not have a trunk as he is built in his child form. All the works and arrangements of the temple are looked after with a lot of care by the Audhchya family. Special ceremonies are organized in the temple premises on the first Wednesday after Diwali when a festival called Anna-Koot is celebrated.

Another occasion held here is the Paush Bade which is arranged on the last Wednesday of the Paush month. A large number of devotees visit the temple during this time of the year. The idols of Riddhi Siddhi and their two children Subh and Labh are also seen in the temple. The chanting of mantras and the smell of incense create a very peaceful atmosphere inside the temple.

History of Garh Ganesh Temple

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh built the Garh Ganesh Temple after performing an auspicious Yagna, the Ashwamedha Yagna, about three centuries ago. It was after the temple was built that he laid the first foundation stone of Jaipur City. He believed that Lord Ganesha’s blessings would protect the city.

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh also placed the temple and the idol in such a way that he could see the idol through his binoculars from Chandra Mahal whenever he would be staying at the City Palace. The Audhchya Family has been managing the temple for generations. The current priest, Shree Pradeep Audhchya is the 13th priest of the Garh Ganesh Temple.

Architecture of Garh Ganesh Temple

Garh Ganesh Temple is built inside a structure that resembles a fortress with sandstone walls and batteries. A large Swastika, painted on the wall makes the structure easy to spot from a distance. Inside, the main temple is made according to traditional Hindu Temple architecture.

A long flight of stairs leads to the pristine-colored temple on the top of the Aravalli hills. The idol of Lord Ganesh is installed in the sanctum sanctorum which has a main hall in the front that can accommodate about 30 to 40 people at a time. The attraction also houses idols of Riddhi, Siddhi, and their children Shubh and Labh along with Lord Ganesha’s vehicle and messenger, the rat.