Khole ke Hanuman Ji Temple

Khole ke Hanuman Ji Temple is a hill temple dedicated to Hanuman in the folds of the Aravalli range east of the Amer Road, on the eastern edge of Jaipur in Rajasthan. The shrine sits in a quiet valley ringed with groves of trees, and the setting of rock, greenery and open air makes it feel far from the city centre, although it is only about 20 minutes away by road. Local families visit it throughout the week, and Tuesdays and Saturdays, the days sacred to Hanuman, are the busiest, when worshippers bring offerings of sindoor, flowers and sweets and queue for darshan. On other days the temple is peaceful, with a steady stream of visitors and pilgrims. The grounds include picnic groves, where families spread out on weekends, and areas of rock and trees that wild monkeys frequent. Entry is free, and the temple opens from about 5:00AM until 9:00PM. A visit usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. Early morning is the best time for a calm atmosphere and cool air, and weekday mornings are especially quiet. Tuesday and Saturday evenings and festival days such as Hanuman Jayanti bring heavy crowds and long waits. Visitors should dress modestly, remove shoes before entering the shrine and avoid carrying leather items or bulky bags. Photography inside the sanctum is usually restricted, but the hillside setting and the temple exterior are good subjects in the morning light. Monkeys can snatch food and loose items, so keep belongings secure. App cabs and auto-rickshaws from the Old City reach the temple in about 20 minutes, and arranging a return ride is advisable because the site is somewhat out of the way.