Visit Moti Dungri Temple in Jaipur: History, Legend, Architecture, Timings, Entry Fee (2024)

If you are also planning a vacation to go on a spiritual spree, then Jaipur will prove to be an ideal vacation destination for you. Talking about the must-visit sightseeing places in Jaipur, the Moti Dungri Temple is one such place which should be on the top of your itinerary, especially if you are a Hindu devotee. Want to know more about this beautiful temple in Jaipur? If yes, then you have arrived at the right place. In this article, we have gathered some important information about the Moti Dungri Temple which will help you to have a better understanding. Continue reading to know more!

Overview of the Moti Dungri Temple, Jaipur

Located on top of a small hillock around which Jaipur- the pink city flourishes, Moti Dungri temple serves to be one of the most auspicious temples to visit in Jaipur. It is a small shrine and is bordered by a majestic palace by the same name. This palace surrounding the temple complex displays a beautiful structure which more or less resembles a pretty Scottish style castle. Despite of being a prominent cultural landmark, it is important to know that Moti Dungri Palace is privately owned and is not open for public visitors to explore from inside. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, a prominent God in Hindu mythology, this temple sprawls over an area of about two kilometres. It may be surprising for you to know but this temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha flaunts the fact that it is a home to an idol of Lord Ganesha which is believed to be as old as 500 years.

Though the primary exclusive feature of the temple which attracts devotees from all over the country will definitely be its religious significance, but you will also be pleased to know that this temple boasts of being an architectural marvel as well. If you wish to experience the true cultural heritage and traditions of the Hindu religion, then visiting this beautiful temple will be a memorable experience for you.

Etymology of the Moti Dungri Temple, Jaipur

Those of you who are pondering upon the meaning behind the unique name of this auspicious temple in Jaipur, in this article we will reveal the secret to you. Moti Dungri is made up of two words- Moti which means pearl and Dungri which literally translates to hill. The place was named so because the hill on which the palace as well as temple structures were built, interestingly resembles a beautiful pearl drop. Soon after its construction the Moti Dungri temple soon became popular among devotees for its religious significance, scenic natural beauty and incredible architectural brilliance. 

Image Source

History and Legend of the Moti Dungri Temple, Jaipur

Talking about the history of this beautiful temple built on a hillock, it has one interesting story behind its idol of the primary deity. It is said that the idol of Lord Ganesh was established as long as 500 years ago and was brought to Jaipur by Seth Jai Ram Pallival from Udaipur. He was accompanying the then ruler of the Jaipur region, Maharaja Madho Singh I. As per the myths and legends, it is believed that the Maharaja received this idol from the state of Gujarat and he had taken it with himself on his trip to Udaipur. The idol was brought to the Moti Dungri hill somewhere in the year 1761 and it was sometime after that the temple was built here. According to the legends, it is believed that one day the King of Mewar was travelling back to his palace after a long tiring journey. On this journey, he was carrying a beautiful Ganesh idol along with him on a bullock cart. The King desired to build a temple for the idol but was not so sure about the location of the temple. So, he decided that wherever the cart will stop for the first time, will be the place where he will build the Ganesh temple. The myths and legends say that apparently the cart stopped at the bottom of the Moti Dungri hills and thereby it became the location of the stunning Ganesh temple which we see today. 

Image Source

Built long back in history under the careful supervision and guidance of Seth Jai Ram Pallival, Moti Dungri temple was initially visited only by the devotees and followers of Lord Shiva, a prime Hindu God, butover the span of many years has undeniably turned into one of the top tourist places to visit in Jaipur. Apart from this temple, one can also spot an exotic palace built right on the top of the hill which is replica of a Scottish castle. The surprising fact is that this grand palace once served as the royal residence of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh and still continues to belong to the royal family only. Though the entry to palace is not allowed for public visitors but the mere view of the castle is enough to leave you speechless with its beauty.

Architecture of the Moti Dungri Temple, Jaipur

The Moti Dungri temple is a work of architectural brilliance. This ancient structure stands as a testimony to the finesse and progress of the architectural skills of the Indian subcontinent. Spread over an area of about two kilometres, the temple structure is adorned by three beautiful domes, while each one of them purportedly symbolise the three major religions of the country. Talking about the exterior appearance of this popular religious temple in Jaipur, you can spot a plenty of intricate and delicate stone carving on the walls of the temple. Apart from that, the temple is also well – known for its exquisite lattice work on the marble. The lattice work engraved on the marble displays a plethora of mythological images which surely prove to be a splendid sight, especially for the art lovers. Apart from the exterior brilliance of the structure, those of you who wish to know about the highlight of the temple, then it will be the 500 – year – old Ganesha idol. This ancient idol of the primary deity is located right in the heart of the temple. All in all, one can say that the temple is beautiful inside out. No matter whether you talk about the stunning exterior or the religious interior, the temple is worth appreciation. 

Exclusive Features of the Moti Dungri Temple, Jaipur

When we say that the Moti Dungri Temple is one of the must-visit tourist places in Jaipur, we really mean it. If you are wondering what special thing does this temple has that sets it apart from all the other temples located in Jaipur, then we would be pleased to tell you that the temple really has some of the defining exclusive features. Once you know these features, you yourself will realise why this temple is so special and attractive. Some of the features are as follows:

1. Biggest Ganesha Temple in Jaipur: For the starters, you will be pleased to know that the Moti Dungri Temple boasts of being one of the biggest temples of Lord Ganesha in the Jaipur city. It is owing to this very fact that hundreds and even thousands of devotees from all the place come to visit this temple on a daily basis. If the stats are to be believed then more than 1.25 lakh devotees are said to visit the temple every year.
2. Large Fair in the Temple: If you are aware about the Hindu mythology, then you would probably already know that according to Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is considered as the Lord of Mercury. As a result, the Moti Dungri Temple follows Wednesday to be the day of Lord Ganesha. On this day, a huge fair is organised within the temple premises in the honor of the prime Hindu God. This fair serves as a major attraction among the devotees and the crowd in the temple on this day is actually overwhelming.
3. Shiva Linga in the temple: Another surprisingly pleasant feature about the Moti Dungri Temple is that it houses a large Shiva Linga within its premises. Though this Shiva Linga is opened only on the night of Maha Shivaratri but the very fact that the temple houses the Shiva Linga in the first place makes it unique as it makes Moti Dungri temple the only temple in India which can be visited by the Shaivas who are the devotees of Lord Shiva as well. Hence, the temple is considered as one of the prime religious spots in Rajasthan, especially for the Hindu devotees.

Timings and Entry Fee of the Moti Dungri Temple, Jaipur

The Moti Dungri temple is open for public on all days of the week. The temple premises open for darshan and puja in two shifts. For the morning shift, you can visit the temple from 5 AM till 1.30 PM. Then the temple closes for a while to reopen at 4.30 PM till 9.30 PM. On an average, a visitor spends about 1 to 2 hours exploring the place completely. Moreover, since there is no entry fee, you can visit this popular temple of Jaipur absolutely for free. 

Set in the scenic backdrop of the pink city, the Moti Dungri temple in Jaipur has an extraordinary charm and peaceful aura which attracts people from far and away.