Govind Dev Ji Temple

Govind Dev Ji Temple is the most visited Krishna temple in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, and sits in the Jai Niwas garden within the City Palace grounds in the Old City. According to tradition, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II brought the Govind Dev image to Jaipur from Vrindavan in the early 18th century and placed it so that the royal residence stood between the deity and the palace, as the ruler regarded himself as the deity's servant. The temple has a large open-sided hall with painted ceilings and tall columns, which allows a big congregation to face the sanctum together. Worship is organised around seven daily darshans, when the curtain opens and the image is shown in different dress and decoration, accompanied by bells, conch shells and devotional singing. Visitors usually stand or sit on the floor in the hall, and the atmosphere is devout and crowded. A visit takes 45 to 60 minutes. Early morning, around the Mangla aarti, and the evening aarti between about 6:00PM and 7:00PM are the most atmospheric, though they are also the busiest; at other times the hall is quieter but the sanctum curtain is closed between darshans. Aarti times change by season, so visitors should check on the day. The approach is through the Jai Niwas garden, reached from the City Palace side or from the Gangori Bazaar gate. Shoes are left outside, and modest dress is expected. Photography of the deity is generally discouraged, and mobile phones should be kept silent. Bags may be checked at the entrance, and large items are best left at the hotel.