Ganga Mandir Bharatpur

It is said that the year 1845 saw Maharaja Balwant Singh begin this temple’s construction. The construction process of the temple was quite unique in that all the employees of the state and many other affluent locals were asked to contribute towards the building of the shrine. It is said that around 9 decades were taken to build the temple. Once the temple was complete, Brijenra Singh, Balwant Singh’s fifth descendant placed an idol of the goddess Ganga in the temple. It is from thereon that the temple came to be known as the Ganga Mandir or temple.

Architecture

South Indian, Rajput and Mughal styles – a confluence of these is what one finds when looking at the beauty and splendour of this temple. There are many splendid carvings on the pillars and walls of the structure. Many feel that the sandstone structure with its numerous elaborate carvings resembles less a sub-continental temple and more a French chateau of neo-classical genre - the structure is as such two storeys in height.

Idols of Ganga Temple

The deity’s idol itself looks resplendent in pristine marble, white in colour. The idol is believed to be sitting on a huge crocodile. The temple has a gong which is strong enough for it to be heard from far away. A four foot idol of King Bhagirath is also present here. The entrance of the temple also has Lord Krishna in sculpture holding the Giri Raj or Govardhan Mountain in one of the famous depictions from Indian mythology. There are statues of gods Shiva and his wife, Parvati as well as that of the Laxmi and Narayan in the temple.

Main Events

The Ganga Dussera and Ganga Shaptami religious festivals draw huge crowds of devotees each year. The temple is elaborately and exquisitely decorated during these events which bring in many tourists visiting the Bharatpur city in Rajasthan during these times to here.

The devotees come here from all over and offer holy water to the shrine of the goddess. The location of the temple is convenient and tourists and devotees alike can reach it using cycle or auto rickshaws or even taxis from almost anywhere within the city.