| Galtaji | |
| Nickname: | Galwar Bagh |
| Settlement Type: | Hindu pilgrimage site |
| Pushpin Map: | India Rajasthan |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Rajasthan, India |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Rajasthan |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
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]
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 an important centre 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]
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]
There is a small temple on the top of the hill dedicated to the Sun God. It is known as Surya Mandir.[9]
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]