Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple in Jaipur, Rajasthan; is a major tourist attraction and pilgrimage place. The temple built in 1761 by architect Seth Jai Ram Paliwal with help of the Chief Priest, Mahant Shiv Narain, is located next to the Birla Temple.
The Ganesh Temple is located at the bottom of Moti Dungri hill on which the Moti Dungri fort is located. The idol of Ganesha in the temple is reportedly five hundred years old. The large idol was brought to the temple in 1761 from Gujarat by Seth Jai Ram Paliwal, who had accompanied Maharaja Madho Singh I from Udaipur; when he was returning home to Jaipur.
The highlight of the temple is the trunk of the sindoor or vermillion-colored Ganesha idol, which is pointed to the left side. Most Lord Ganesha Idols have their trunk on the right side; those with the trunk on the left side are considered very auspicious. The layout and structure of Moti Dungri temple are built in the Nagara style and a complex modeled on a Scottish castle was built around it. While the castle is private property and not open to the public, the temple which has 3 entrance gates, is open to all. The temple building has three domes that signify the three main religions, that originated in India.
The temple was built using limestone and marble and its construction was finished within 4 months. The intricate latticework of mythological figures engraved on the marble all around the temple, as well as beautiful stone carvings, helps accentuate the temple’s beauty. The Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple is open on all days from 5.30 AM in the morning to 9.00 PM in the evening. There are two ledges on both sides of the temple entrance meant for devotees’ convenience to sit after they had offered prayers. It is said, Lord Ganesha is pleased if devotees sit for a few minutes after offering their prayers and aren’t in a hurry to return home.
The temple interiors are equally breathtaking as the outside. The Lord Ganesh idol with its trunk to the left is adorned with a solid silver crown placed on its head. The idol is covered with gorgeous clothing and jewelry. A Statue of a large mushak or rat considered the vehicle of Lord Ganesha is placed near the feet of Lord Ganesha. The idol is placed on a solid silver and gold throne, that is flanked by two large silver pillars on both sides. A huge gold circle or chakra is placed on the wall behind the idol. A gold umbrella is placed atop the idol. Entry into the temple is free.
It is said there is no best time to visit the temple of Lord Ganesha, and every day is auspicious as he is considered a ‘Vignaharta’ or troubleshooter. Ganesha is also known to have the right of ‘Prathama Pujya’ meaning he is the first to be worshipped, before the start of anything auspicious. However, on Wednesdays’, the temple receives the maximum footfall of devotees; as Lord Ganesha is said to be the God of Mercury planet, and Wednesday is considered to be the day for Mercury. A small fair is set up outside the temple on Wednesday each week, with stalls set up from the road to the entrance of the temple. These stalls sell everything from toys, to sweets, and other knick-knacks.
The entry of vehicles to the temple is restricted on Wednesday and barricades are put in place, to manage the crowd rush. During the Ganesh Chathurthi festival, the temple is beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, and thousands of devotees visit the temple during the 10-day festival. Moti Dungri Ganesh temple is one of the largest Ganesha Temples in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The temple complex also has a Shiva temple, which is open only on the night of Maha Shivaratri. This makes the Moti Dongri Ganesh Temple unique for being the only Ganesha Temple in India visited by the devotees of Lord Shiva.
A story goes that Maharaja Madho Singh I, King of Mewar while returning home from Udaipur, carrying a Ganesh idol on a bullock cart; decided that wherever the bullock cart stops for the first time, he will build the temple there itself. The bullock cart stopped luckily at the bottom of Moti Dungri hills and as such the Moti Dungri Ganesh temple at the same spot. Tourists and devotees can reach the temple from anywhere in Jaipur by hiring a taxi, auto-rickshaw, bus, or private car. Jaipur is well connected by road rail and air with all major cities of India.
