Galtaji

Last updated

Lower Galta Kund (water tank Galta Ji Mandir (14-07-2022) img 01.jpg
Lower Galta Kund (water tank
Shri Gyan Gopal Ji Temple in the Galtaji Galta Ji Mandir (14-07-2022) img 02.jpg
Shri Gyan Gopal Ji Temple in the Galtaji

Galtaji is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage about 10 km away from Jaipur, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The site consists of a series of temples built into a narrow crevice in the ring of hills that surrounds Jaipur. A natural spring emerges high on the hill and flows downward, filling a series of sacred kunds (water tanks) in which pilgrims bathe. Visitors and pilgrims can ascend the crevasse, continuing past the highest water pool to a hilltop temple from there are views of Jaipur and its fortifications spreads out across the valley floor. It is believed that a Saint named Galav lived here, practiced meditation, and did penance ( tapasya ). [1]

Contents

Shri Galta Peeth

Galtaji Gate Galta Ji Mandir (14-07-2022) img 04.jpg
Galtaji Gate

Built within a mountain pass in the Aravalli Hills 10 km. east of Jaipur, [2] Since the early 15th century Galtaji has been a retreat for Hindu ascetics belonging to the Vaishnava Sampradaya of Shri Ramanand. [1] It is said to have been in the occupation of yogis for a long time; Payohari Krishnadas [3] , a Ramanandi saint, i.e. a follower of the Ramanandi Sampradaya came to Galta in the early 15th century and became head of Galta gaddi replacing earlier yogis in the place. [4]

Galta was northern India's first Vaishnava Ramananda Peeth and became the one of the most important centres of the Ramananda sect. Such was the fame of Ramanandi saint Shri Krishnadas Payahari of Galta dham that he had initiated Shri Bhagwanji (a Dogra Khajuria Brahmin from Gurdaspur, Punjab) into order of Ramanandi Vaishnavism. His disciple Shri Bhagwanji then founded Ramanandi centre Thakurdwara Bhagwan Narainji at Pandori dham in Gurdaspur, Punjab. [5]

Galta ji Peeth is also the place where the acclaimed Ramanandi saint Goswami Nabha das ji's Mandir is situated. He is said to have met Goswami Tulasidas ji, the author of Ramcharitmanas at Galta dham, whom he praised in Bhaktamala. [6] Galta peeth is a pilgrimage for Ramanandis (both direct followers of Nabha Das and followers of Bhagwanji of Pandori dham) in Jammu, Punjab and Lower Himachal.

The temple features a number of pavilions with rounded roofs, carved pillars and painted walls. The complex is set around a natural spring and waterfalls that create 7 Holy Ponds. [7]

Monkeys

Monkey at the temple Female rhesus macaque at Galtaji, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.jpg
Monkey at the temple

The temple complex of Sita Ram ji temple is colloquially known as (Galwar Bagh) in travel literature, due to the large number of monkeys who live in here. These rhesus macaques were featured in National Geographic Channel's Rebel Monkeys series and "Thar Desert - Sacred sand" episode of the Wildest India television series. [8]

The Sun Temple

There is a small temple on the top of the hill dedicated to the Sun God. It is known as Surya Mandir. [9]

Water tanks

Lower kund of Galtaji Galta Ji Mandir (14-07-2022) img 03.jpg
Lower kund of Galtaji

The temple is known for its natural springs, the water from which accumulates in tanks (kunds). There are seven tanks, the holiest being the Galta Kund, which never goes dry. It is considered auspicious to bathe in the waters of Galtaji, especially on Makar Sankranti, and thousands come to bathe every year. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramananda</span> 14th century Vaishnava Bhakti poet-saint from India

Sri Ramanandacharya was a 14th-century Vaishnava devotional poet saint, who lived in the Gangetic basin of northern India. The Hindu tradition recognizes him as the founder of the Ramanandi Sampradaya, the largest monastic Hindu renunciant community in modern times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bishnoi</span> Indian religious sect or community

Bishnoi is a community found in the Western Thar Desert and northern states of India. They follow a set of 29 principles/commandments given by Guru Jambheshwar (1451-1536). As of 2019, there are an estimated 600,000 followers of Bishnoi Panth residing in north and central India. Shree Guru Jambheshwar founded the sect at Samrathal Dhora in 1485 and his teachings, comprising 120 shabads, are known as Shabadwani. He preached for the next 51 years, travelling across India. The preaching of Guru Jambhoji inspires his followers as well as environmental protectors. Bishnoi sect admitted members from a variety of castes including Jats, Bania, Charans, Rajputs, and Brahmins.

Baladeva Vidyabhushana was an Indian Gaudiya Vaishnava acharya. Despite being renowned all over the world as the Gaudiya Vedanta Acarya, the scarcity of available authentic biodata has led misinformed authors to spread incorrect information about his life incidents. There is no known historical evidence regarding either his birthplace or date, nor any known reference to it in his works. Some wrongly believe that he disappeared in 1768. Yet his Aisvarya-kadambini is dated 1779. The original manuscript is preserved at the City Palace in Jaipur. While his birth date is unknown, a document preserved at the Jaipur Archives dated the fourteenth day of the Bhadra month of Saṁvat 1850 describes his ceremony of condolence presided by King Pratap Singh of Jaipur. On the basis of this evidence, it is unrealistic to assume that he was born much before 1700 AD.

Govinda Bhashya is a Gaudiya Vaishnava commentary (bhasya) on the Vedanta Sutra. It was written in the year 1628 Sakabda at Galtaji (Galta) near the present city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, by Baladeva Vidyabhushana to defend Gaudiya Vaishnava theology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hindaun</span> City in Rajasthan, India

Hindaun is a city and municipality, near city of Karauli in Karauli district, Rajasthan, India. It has a population of 105690 and is governed by a municipal council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaipur district</span> District of Rajasthan in India

Jaipur District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in Northern India. The city of Jaipur, which is Rajasthan's capital and largest city, is the district headquarters. It is the tenth most populous district in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karauli district</span> District of Rajasthan in India

Karauli District is a district of Rajasthan in western India. It is located in the Braj region. The town of Karauli is the district headquarters. Karauli District comes under Bharatpur Divisional Commissionerate. Karauli is famous for popular red-stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dadu Dayal</span> Indian saint

Dadu Dayal Ji was a poet-sant from Gujarat, India, a religious reformer who spoke against formalism and priestcraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramanandi Sampradaya</span> Branch of the Vaishnava Hinduism

The Ramanandi, also known as Ramavats, Ramananda sect is the largest sect of Vaishnavas, out of 52 gates of Vaishnavism, 36 are held by Ramanandi's. They mainly emphasize the worship of Rāma, Sita, and Hanuman, as well as Vishnu directly and also his other avatars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barsana</span> Town in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Barsana is a historical town and nagar panchayat in the Mathura district of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The town holds cultural and religious significance as it is the birthplace and home of the Hindu goddess Radha, the chief consort of Krishna. Barsana is situated in the Braj region. The main attraction of the town is the historical Radha Rani Temple which attracts huge number of devotees throughout the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhagat Pipa</span> Ramanandi Vaishnava Bhakti poet-saint from Rajasthan, India

Bhagat Pipa, also known as Pratap Singh Raja Pipaji, Rao Pipa, Sardar Pipa, Sant Pipaji, or Pipa Bairagi was a Rajput King of Gagaraungarh who abdicated the throne to become a Hindu mystic poet and saint of the Bhakti movement. He was born in the Malwa region of North India in approximately AD 1425.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Badrinath Temple</span> Hindu temple of Vishnu in Uttarakhand, India

Badrinath or Badrinarayana Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. It is situated in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, India. The temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu - holy shrines for Vaishnavas - who is worshipped as Badrinath. It is open for six months every year, because of extreme weather conditions in the Himalayan region. The temple is located in Garhwal hill tracks in Chamoli district along the banks of Alaknanda River. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers of India, having recorded 2.8 million visits in just 2 months in 2022. It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ram Charan (guru)</span> Indian Hindu saint

Ram Charan (1720–1799)) is the Rajasthani Hindu guru, inspirator of a religious tradition called Ramsnehi Sampradaya or Ramdwara. He initiated and illustrated Nirguna (absolute) Bhakti, although he was not against Saguna Bhakti. He initiated and tried to eliminate "show", blind faith, hypocrisy and misled existing in the Hindu religion and preferred to worship the 'name of God', Rama, over God, to not get involved in false "show" activities.

Religion and spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or search of great moral significance. Sometimes, it is a journey to a sacred place or shrine of importance to a person's beliefs and faith. Members of every major religion participate in pilgrimages. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim.

Sita Kund is a Hindu pilgrimage site that honours the birthplace of the goddess, Sita. The Punaura Dham Janki Mandir is a Hindu pilgrimage site in Sitamarhi district, Bihar, which has an ancient Hindu temple. It is situated 5 km west of Sitamarhi City and a popular visitor's attraction.

<i>Bhaktamal</i> Medieval poem written in Braj language in India

Bhaktamal, written c. 1585, is a poem in the Braj language that gives short biographies of more than 200 bhaktas. It was written by Nabha Dass, a saint belonging to the tradition of Ramananda. Though considered a hagiography by some, the work recounts no miraculous events, and is widely believed to be an unbiased account of bhaktas across all sectarian paths. The Bhaktamal gives the earliest reliable account of many bhaktas, and hence is considered an important source for literary and devotional history of northern India.For example, Bhaktamal mentions about peity of Ramanandi saint Shri Bhagwanji of Gurdaspur and miraculous powers of his disciple Shri Narainji, who founded the Ramanandi Vaishnav temple named Thakurdwara Bhagwan Narainji in Pandori dham in Gurdaspur, Punjab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hindaun Block</span> Subdistrict/Tehsil/Taluka in Rajasthan, India

Hindaun is a Block in Karauli district of the Indian state of Rajasthan in Northern India. It is a subdivisional headquarter. Its population is approximately 442,000. The block covers an area of 700 Square kilometres, which makes it the biggest block in Karauli. The subdistrict code of Hindaun Block is 00522. There are about 165 villages in Hindaun Block.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nabha Dass</span> Ramanandi Vaishnava Bhakti poet-saint from India

Nabha Dass was a saint, theologian and author of the Bhaktamal. In this sacred scripture, Nabha Das wrote the life history of almost every saint ranging from the Satya Yuga to the Kali Yuga age. Nabha Dass wrote ‘Bhagatmal’ in 1585. Nabha Dass, a saint belonging to the tradition of Ramananda. On his birthday 8 April, millions of followers remember him and his resolve to work for humanity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thakurdwara Bhagwan Narainji</span> Ramanandi Hindu temple in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India

Thakurdwara Bhagwan Narainji is a historical Hindu temple belonging to Ramanandi sampradaya, located in the village Pandori Mahantan in Gurdaspur district of Punjab in India. It constitutes one of the fifty-two Vaishnav dvaras of Indian subcontinent into which Bairagis have been organized. The shrine was founded by Ramanandi saint Shri Bhagwanji and his disciple ShriNarainji after whom the shrine has been named. The celebrated Vaishnav text Bhaktamala authored by Bhakt Nabhadas ji records the piety of Shri Bhagwanji and his disciple Shri Narainji. The temple is known for its spectacular Baisakhi fair.

References

  1. 1 2 Vibhuti Sachdev; Giles Henry Rupert Tillotson (2002). Building Jaipur: The Making of an Indian City. Reaktion Books. pp. 39–. ISBN   978-1-86189-137-2 . Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  2. Dr. Daljeet; P. C. Jain (Prof.) (2002). Monuments Of India. Aravali Books International Pvt. Limited. p. 161. ISBN   978-81-86880-76-0.
  3. Śrivastava, Vijai Shankar (1981). Cultural Contours of India: Dr. Satya Prakash Felicitation Volume. Abhinav Publications. ISBN   978-0-391-02358-1. Payohari Krishan Das, a great Ramanandi saint, who was held in the highest esteem by Raja Prithvi Raj of Amber (1503-27) is considered to be head of Galta gaddi
  4. Gupta, Dr R.K; Bakshi, Dr S.R. Rajsthan through the ages - Vol 4. Jaipur rulers and administrators. Sarup & sons. p. 118. ISBN   978-81-7625-841-8.
  5. Burchett, Patton E. (28 May 2019). A Genealogy of Devotion: Bhakti, Tantra, Yoga, and Sufism in North India. Columbia University Press. ISBN   978-0-231-54883-0. According to the tradition of Pindori Dhām, a major Rāmānandī center in the Gurdaspur district of Panjab, the young Bhagvān-jī met Kṛṣṇadās Payahārī at Galta while on a pilgrimage. Payahārī is said to have converted him to Vaiṣṇavism
  6. Excelsior, Daily (15 April 2017). "Guru Nabha Dass Ji". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. Retrieved 11 May 2023. He continuously attended "Gosthi" atleast for three years with the author of Ramayan Tulsi Dass in Galta Dham in Jaipur. The Guru of Nabha Dass Ji, Agar Dass, Keel Dass Baba Krishan Pahariu Dass were great saints. The temple of Nabha Dass Ji is situated at Galta Dham in Jaipur Rajasthan.
  7. Ann Grodzins Gold (1990). Fruitful Journeys: The Ways of Rajasthani Pilgrims. University of California Press. pp. 278–. ISBN   978-0-520-06959-6 . Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  8. Dobson, Jim. "48 Hours In Jaipur, India: How To Experience The Spectacular Pink City In Style". Forbes. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  9. "Jaipur Tourism: Places to Visit, Sightseeing, Trip to Jaipur- Rajasthan Tourism". www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  10. Dobson, Jim. "48 Hours In Jaipur, India: How To Experience The Spectacular Pink City In Style". Forbes. Retrieved 18 December 2019.


Coordinates: 26°52′34″N76°07′27″E / 26.8761°N 76.1242°E / 26.8761; 76.1242