MONKEY TEMPLE GALTAJI - INDIA

Some things are meant to be experienced rather than explained, as the saying goes. My experience with India was just like that. No matter how much you watch India on screens, it can only be truly understood once you visit.

India is not only a vast country but also home to 1.4 billion people, speaking around 447 different languages. What many people don’t know is that nearly 80% of the population follows the Hindu faith. Interestingly, the number of Muslims in India is approximately 200 million, making it a country with a larger Muslim population than many traditionally Muslim-majority countries.

Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that embraces various beliefs and rituals. Today, I want to share my impressions of the Monkey Temple, Galtaji, a place that left a lasting impact on me.

The Monkey Temple, Galtaji, is located about 10 km from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, India. When visiting Jaipur, this temple is a must-see destination.

This place is considered sacred by Hindus. Historically, it is believed that the sage Galav spent his entire life here, meditating for 100 years. Later, in the 18th century, Diwan Rao Kriparam, an official under Sawai Jai Singh II, built the Galtaji Temple.

Galtaji Temple is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site. It is one of Jaipur’s most treasured gems, featuring natural freshwater springs and seven sacred water tanks. Among these, the 'Galta' tank is considered the holiest, and it is believed that it will never dry up. Pure water flows into these tanks from a rock shaped like a cow’s head, known as "Gaumukh."

This magnificent temple, built from pink sandstone, is nestled between low hills and resembles a palace more than a traditional temple. The Galtaji Monkey Temple is also known for its breathtaking scenery and lush greenery. It is home to a large population of monkeys, which have become an integral part of the temple's identity. However, unlike being considered sacred, the monkeys here are taken care of in a way similar to how people in Istanbul look after street cats. Over time, the monkey population grew so significantly that the temple became famously known as the Monkey Temple.

According to legend, there was no water here in the past, and people used to carry water from the Ganges River for worship. By the way, the Ganges is almost 1,000 kilometers away from this place. Later, as a reward for Saint Galav's devotion and goodwill, the gods decided to ease his burden and gifted him a natural water source, making water flow from the rocks. It is believed that this water comes from the Ganges and is sacred. Therefore, cleansing yourself with this water—washing your hands and face—purifies you from sins and grants you the status of a pilgrim.

Indeed, this place is a dry gorge between two hills, yet there is water—mysteriously flowing.

All the information I’ve shared so far can be found online with a bit of research. But from here on, my story becomes a true adventure…

On our journey to Galtaji, we were accompanied by a guide and our driver. Our driver was from Delhi and never left our side throughout the trip. While India is generally a safe country, traveling as a tourist in an unfamiliar place always carries some risks. If India is your first international trip and you’re not fluent in a foreign language, I strongly advise against traveling alone.

It’s not just about safety; you also need to be mentally prepared for certain experiences.

When our driver found out we wanted to visit the Monkey Temple, he was overjoyed. For him, this meant becoming a pilgrim. We were happy to share in his excitement.

When we arrived at the temple, we were greeted by grand palace-like structures and a deep silence. Our guide asked us to bring some food to feed the monkeys before we entered. The place felt like a massive open-air museum, with the only sounds being the loud calls of monkeys. We had never seen so many monkeys in our lives. As we climbed the temple’s stairs, the noise of the monkeys grew louder.

At that moment, we encountered a man known as the "Monkey Man." He regularly fed the monkeys, and they recognized him, following him wherever he went. He even offered to let us hold the monkeys, but to be honest, they weren’t as cute as they seem in movies. One monkey suddenly jumped onto our driver’s head, while another clung to his arm, eager to grab the food in his hands. Meanwhile, other monkeys started screeching, demanding their share, and we suddenly found ourselves in the middle of chaos. We also learned something surprising: monkeys can distinguish between men and women, and they are less afraid of women. In fact, they enjoy scaring them for fun.

Seeing our fear, the Monkey Man insisted that I hold a baby monkey. I tried not to show my fear while listening to him say, "Baby monkeys have the softest fur; you’ll love it, just hold one." But with so many monkeys around, it was impossible to predict how they would react. Instead of taking the risk, I quickly handed him the bananas from my bag and started climbing the stairs towards the sacred pools.

When we reached the largest pool, our driver, filled with joy, began washing himself in the water, performing a ritual purification similar to ablution. At the same time, monkeys were swimming in the pool. If you’re not mentally prepared for this, it’s not easy to take part. We respectfully waited, understanding the significance of the moment for him.

Later, at our guide’s insistence, we visited the resident priests, who offered prayers to protect us from accidents and misfortune. At the end of the prayer, they tied a string around our wrists, much like an evil eye talisman in our culture.

We lost track of time, and before we knew it, night had fallen. The monkeys’ cries grew louder. When we asked what was happening, we were told that they were fighting among themselves. Some were so badly injured that the priests had to intervene with sticks to break up the fights. As darkness settled over the sacred site, we made our way back to our car, leaving behind the eerie yet mesmerizing experience of the Monkey Temple.

What stayed in our minds were the monkeys, the palace-like temple structures, and the monks who dedicated their lives to worship. Of course, we also couldn't forget our driver performing his ritual purification in a pool full of monkeys.

When the sounds of the monkeys stopped, the temple was filled with an incredible sense of tranquility. Everyone was calm, and even the wind seemed to pause. There was undoubtedly a unique energy in this place. Hindus believe this is because it is sacred.

Until our next travel notes on sacred places and rituals…