Moti Doongri Temple

Jai Ganesha!

Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity in Hinduism, is worshipped all over India and considered the God of auspiciousness, wisdom, knowledge and wealth. The temple of Moti Doongri in Jaipur is dedicated to him. This sacred house of worship was constructed by Seth Jai Ram Paliwal in the early eighteenth century and continues to be one the city’s most popular tourist destinations. Situated in the heart of Jaipur, the Moti Doongri temple is perched on a small hill surrounded by an exotic palace. In the recent past, the palace was home to Rajmata Gayatri Devi, but now, it is locked to public.

According to the priests of the temple, the King of Mewar was returning to his palace from a long journey, carting a colossal Ganesha idol on a bullock cart.

The king, who wanted to build a temple, had decided to consecrate the idol wherever the bullock cart initially halted. Almost by a miracle, the bullock cart stopped at the foot of the Moti Doongri hills, which is where the temple is situated today. The construction of this magnificent structure was inspired by the Mahant or Chief Priest of Jaipur, Shiv Narainji. The temple is surrounded by the beautiful Moti Doongri palace, which is an imitation of a Scottish castle.

The temple itself spans two kilometres and is engraved out of stone. Apart from the intricate stone carving, the temple is known for its exquisite lattice work on marble with mythological images patterned on the walls, offering a splendid view for art-lovers. The idol of Lord Ganesha is located in the heart of the sanctum, hidden from view. Only at certain timings in a day are visitors allowed to have a glimpse of the feted idol.

Thousands of locals start their day with a Darshan of Lord Ganesha at Moti Doongri Temple. And they return to their daily tasks, knowing that they are protected by his benevolence and compassion.