Galta Gate: A lone expedition [Part-II]

A few minutes later, I took a bus from Transport Nagar to Galta Gate. I disembarked in the outskirt of Jaipur. But I had no directions to go forward, so at this, I was dependent on the locals. I saw a family who seemed to me be going to the temple. I asked them for directions but the good Samritans instead invited me to come with them. The woman in the family told me that the pilgrimage for the temple starts from the other side of the road. I looked across to see and found a structure bearing a red-flag staffed on its rooftop, stand firm atop of hill. The sight of the hill, barely a two-three hundred meters in height, disappointed me and I was thinking how petite this adventure is going to be. Despite this, I continued.

Going upwards, what greeted me is an overwhelming sight of hundreds of macaques sitting in groups – grooming, pilfering and running after one another. By the time I reached on top, I realised that what I saw at the bottom of the hill was just a shack made for monks and sadhus to rest and that the actual temple was twice the distance, we have walked. This made me a little concerned because up until now we have been walking on a pukka road, but after the hill, a dramatic change in terrain has made the route weary. In some places, the slopes were sharp enough to give you an unnerving cry. By the time I reached the temple, I was shaking because of an acquired muscle tension during climbing.

Galta Gate is built in a string-like sequence from end to end with two separate openings. The string can be parted into five sections, where the first section accommodates a small temple room and an open bath area in which the monkeys dive out from distant heights. The second section features two giant baths, one each for men and women. In the third section, there is a huge courtyard that gives an open space to pilgrims to see the gigantic presence of the Aravali’s that can be seen from inside the temple. The courtyard also acts a bridge and connects the first and second section with fourth and fifth section, wherein, the main temples and an open garden are positioned.

Women bath in Galta Gate. Photo Courtsey: Google Images

The temple surroundings were calm and inviting. I walked for some time in the courtyard to feel the majestic presence of the mighty range, which encircles the temple for years as if like protecting it. The temple staff told me to pay Rs. 500 if I want to click pictures inside the temple premises and draw the sign board before me.   I did not pay and so we agreed upon not to click any picture inside the temple area. For filmmakers, the shrine board charges Rs. 1000 each. Interestingly, the temple also features a 400-year old Diya – an oil lamp, which is continue to be light up since then.

Galta Gate: A lone expedition [Part-I]

That Sunday, sitting idle in my room I was thinking to go out and visit someplace. I had cleaned my week’s laundry and was arranging it before giving it for iron. I called some friends from the office to ask if any of them would like to go out for a little sight-seeing. Nobody seemed to be interested, which was completely understandable on their part. After all, we all had office in the next day. My roommate was already on vacation to see his hometown; whereas I, on the other side, had no week-off(s) to visit some place. I needed to get out, but I wasn’t sure where. In confusion, I pulled out my laptop to Google the nearest places around.

I was staying at Raja Park in Jaipur, which is considered to be an upmarket area in town. Though I had been in the city for more than six months, I did not travel much because of constant work pressure. Leaving aside a few trips here and there, and a maiden visit to the Jaipur Literature Fest 2014, I had not seen most of the places Jaipur is famous for. I typed on Google and a long list of places came on screen. I filtered my search and narrowed down places that were closed to Raja Park. Eureka! The next moment I was clear in my head. I was going to see the centuries old temple inside the Aravali Hills, i.e. Galtaji.

The clock was ticking half past four; I packed my gear, took my camera and in next fifteen minutes I was ready to go. Both, the temple and these hills are well known in Rajasthan because of their own reasons. While the Aravali is famous for its geographical existence; the temple, on the other hand, rose to fame after the production of a documentary series called Monkey Thieves by National Geography Channel.

The camel cart owner, in Jaipur 

So, I reached the bus stand hoping to catch a bus to Galta Gate, but that didn't happen. At the bus stand, I realised that no bus was going straight to Galta Gate; I was wrong. People at the bus stand told me that first I go to Transport Nagar, and from there I can get a direct bus for Galtaji. But how shall I reach Transport Nagar, I wondered, until I saw this Camel cart going in the same direction. I asked the man riding the cart to drop me in the way. He agreed. I jumped on and together we went. On the way, we start chatting, while I was filming him. I asked him what does he do for work. He told me he transports timber logs that are used in building constructions. For each consignment, he said, he gets hundred bucks, and on an average he makes Rs. 15000/- a month. The man told me, he has three daughters and two sons, a wife and his parents at home and yet, how happy he is despite his meagre family income. It made me wonder that why can we all not be happy like him. I thought, how nice it would have if people could actually learn to be happy like him, despite their circumstances. More then half of our problems would have been solved automatically.

On reaching Transport Nagar, I thanked him, took his picture and said goodbye.


TO BE CONTINUED...