About Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple
The Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple stands at the foot of the Moti Dungri hill in Jaipur, about 6 km from the city centre, with the white marble Birla Mandir just to its south. It is the most popular Ganesha temple in the Pink City. Jaipur families come here before new ventures and invite Ganesha first to weddings and other ceremonies. Wednesday, Ganesha's day, is the busiest day of the week, with a regular weekly fair, and on Ganesh Chaturthi the temple and the roads around it are packed with devotees carrying laddoos as offerings.
The temple was built in 1761 under the supervision of Seth Jai Ram Paliwal, who accompanied Maharaja Madho Singh I. According to temple tradition, the image of Ganesha is more than five hundred years old. Paliwal is said to have brought it from Gujarat to Udaipur, and from there to Jaipur during his journey with the Maharaja. Above the temple, the Moti Dungri hill is crowned by a small fort, and a Shiva lingam inside the fort complex is opened to visitors only once a year, on Maha Shivaratri. The work is said to have taken only about four months.
The temple is built of limestone and marble in the Nagara style, with three entrance gates and a short flight of steps at the front; the structure on the hill behind it is often compared to a Scottish castle. Inside, the image of Ganesha is coloured with sindoor and has a trunk curving to the right, a form considered especially powerful. The temple is compact and always busy, and laddoos are the favourite offering. For Ganesh Chaturthi the temple has displayed giant laddoos weighing hundreds of kilograms. More than a lakh devotees visit every year.
Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from about 5:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Mangala aarti | Around 5:00 AM |
| Shringar aarti | Around 9:30 AM (later on Wednesdays) |
| Bhog aarti | Around 11:00 AM (later on Wednesdays) |
| Sandhya aarti | At sunset |
| Shayan aarti | Around 9:00 PM (later on Wednesdays) |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple
By air
Jaipur International Airport is the nearest airport.
By train
Gandhi Nagar is the nearest railway station; Jaipur Junction is also well connected.
By road
The temple is on JLN Marg next to the Birla Mandir, about 6 km from central Jaipur; autos, cabs and city buses are plentiful.
Festivals at Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple
- Ganesh ChaturthiAug/Sep
- Krishna JanmashtamiAug/Sep
- AnnakutOct/Nov
- Paush BadaDec/Jan
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Modest traditional or simple clothing is advised.
- Entry
- Free. Laddoos and flowers can be bought outside.
- Wednesdays have a weekly fair and long queues; visit on another weekday for a quieter darshan.
- Visit the Birla Mandir next door on the same trip.
- The temple offers live darshan online if you cannot visit in person.
Places to visit near Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple
- Birla Mandir (Lakshmi Narayan Temple)White marble temple right next door
- Albert Hall MuseumJaipur's grand old museum in Ram Niwas Garden, a short drive away
- Hawa Mahal and City PalaceHeart of the old Pink City, about 6 km away
Frequently asked questions
What are the Moti Dungri Ganesh temple timings?
It is usually open from about 5:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 9 PM. Times may vary; check locally.
Who built the Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple?
It was built in 1761 under the supervision of Seth Jai Ram Paliwal, during the reign of Maharaja Madho Singh I.
What is the best day to visit Moti Dungri?
Wednesday is Ganesha's special day with a weekly fair, but it is also the most crowded.
What is special about the Moti Dungri Ganesha idol?
The sindoor-coloured image has a right-curving trunk and is believed to be over 500 years old.
What is the aarti time at Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple?
Mangala aarti: Around 5:00 AM; Shringar aarti: Around 9:30 AM (later on Wednesdays); Bhog aarti: Around 11:00 AM (later on Wednesdays); Sandhya aarti: At sunset; Shayan aarti: Around 9:00 PM (later on Wednesdays). Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
Is there a dress code at Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple?
Modest traditional or simple clothing is advised.
How to reach Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple?
By air: Jaipur International Airport is the nearest airport. By train: Gandhi Nagar is the nearest railway station; Jaipur Junction is also well connected. By road: The temple is on JLN Marg next to the Birla Mandir, about 6 km from central Jaipur; autos, cabs and city buses are plentiful.
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