Located within the beautiful Ranthambore Fort, Trinetra Ganesha translates to the Three-Eyed Ganesh. Legend has it that King Hameer was at war and the situation seemed bleak when one night Lord Ganesha appeared before the king and blessed him saying that his problems would soon end. Miraculously, the war ceased the very next day and the king's problems regarding food stock was resolved too.
His faith in Lord Ganesha was strengthened and he soon built the Trinetra Ganesha Temple, which is one of the oldest in the area, making it one of the most famous places to visit in Ranthambore. Idols of Lord Ganesha's entire family are emplaced here and five aartis are conducted each day.
The Trinetra Ganesh Temple is one of the oldest temples in India, built with red Karauli stone. It is situated inside the premises of the Ranthambore Fort, which is one of the most famous tourist attractions in all of Rajasthan. This temple is a one-of-a-kind temple, where Lord Ganesha is represented with all the members of his family. Visit Trinetra Ganesh Temple on enriching Rajasthan tour packages.
In Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha is considered to be the powerful God of wealth, fortune, wisdom and education. Therefore, all year round, this temple receives thousands of marriage invitations and wish-fulfilment letters addressed to Lord Ganesh, addressed with the faith that the Lord will fulfil the wishes of His devotees.
Devotees from all over the world visit this temple throughout the year and even construct little images of houses near the temple premises, which in itself is an attractive feature about the place. People do this in the hope that their Lord will fulfil their dreams of buying a house or making one. Here, Ganesha is worshipped five times daily in the form of different “aartis”. The aarti or the first worshipping ceremony starts in the morning with the ‘morning aarti’ or the Prabhat Aarti.
The Sringar Aarti is performed at 9:00 am. The Bhog for the Lord is performed at 12:00 noon. The Sandhya or the evening Aarti, during the sunset is performed at 6:00 pm in summer and at 5:45 pm in winter. The Shayan Aarti is performed at 8:00 pm in the late evening, followed by a prayer in chorus chanted by the priests of the temple and the main devotees of the Lord. Even if you are not religious, or you want to see the fort and temple for their historical or architectural significance, the aartis are a spectacle to behold
Location: Ranthambore Fort, Rajasthan 322001.
Timings: Open 24 Hours.
You Can Also Book: Rajasthan Group Packages
How To Reach
Reaching the Trinetra Ganesh Temple is easy and comfortable since it is a popular tourist destination and is therefore well connected via road, railway and air.
1. By Air: The Sanganer Airport in Jaipur is the nearest airport that gives you access to the Trinetra Ganesh Temple in Ranthambore Fort. It is at a distance of 180 km, which can be easily traversed by hiring a private car or taxi. State-Run bus service is also available from the airport to the temple.
2. By Road: A tourist can easily hire a taxi or a private car and travel to the Trinetra Ganesh Temple. The Trinetra Ganesh Temple is well connected by a network of several state-operated buses. The Fort has several major bus routes connecting it to the cities of Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Jodhpur and Ajmer.
3. By Train: The railway station in Sawai Madhopur is the closest access point for the Trinetra Ganesh Temple. It is 10km away from Ranthambore Fort. It is a busy station where trains from all over Rajasthan stop for passengers.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit the Trinetra Ganesh Temple is between the months of November to February. The crowd is less during this time of the year and devotees can worship and pray in peace. Preferably one should visit during the weekdays to attend the “aarti” sessions. Wednesday is the day specially dedicated to Lord Ganesh, and special prayers are held on that day, every week.
There are five “aarti” sessions held throughout the day. The most divine time to worship the Lord is during the morning “aarti” when the sun bathes the Holy Temple with light as the devotees chant the mantras. One can also visit during the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi to be a part of the grand and elaborate celebration at the temple.Other Essential Information
Location: Ranthambore Fort, Rajasthan 322001
Price: Entry to the Ranthambore Fort, where the Temple is located, costs INR 10 for children and INR 15 for adults.
Timing: Open 24 hours
History of Trinetra Ganesh Temple
The Trinetra Ganesh Temple has great historical value. In the year 1299 AD, Alauddin Khilji was fighting a battle with Hammir in the battlefields of Ranthambore. While the battle was being fought, King Hammir stored a huge supply of food and ration in the Fort. Since the war took place over the course of several years, the ratio has started to get depleted. Just as Hammir was beginning to lose faith and feeling defeated, it is said that Lord Ganesha appeared in his dreams and assured him of a more fruitful and successful future.
The next day, King Hammir found an inscribed idol of Lord Ganesha with three eyes on the walls of the Fort. The war too came to an end and the ration was replaced; some say almost magically. Overwhelmed by the incidents, Hammir then built the Trinetra Ganesh Temple in 1300 AD to pay homage to Lord Ganesh. He also constructed the idols of Riddhi-Sidhhi, wife of Ganesh and his two sons- Subh and Labh, along with his mouse.
Places to Eat Near Trinetra Ganesh Temple
While going around the Ranthambore Fort and visiting the temples and the lakes around it, one can stop at these restaurants for a hearty meal.
1. Manisha Restaurant: The Manisha Restaurant located on the Ranthambore Road serves dishes from Indian and Asian cuisines. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available here. You can visit this place for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
2. Sky Lounge: The Sky Lounge is located on Ranthambore Road. The interiors that consist of an open-air seating and dining arrangement makes your meal even more sensory. The Sky Lounge is mainly known for its authentic Chinese, Indian fast food options.
3. Oberoi Vanyavilas: The Oberoi Vanyavilas is the ultimate fine dining experience in the area. Situated on Ranthambore Road, this is a five-star hotel cum restaurant serving the best quality Indian and Asian food. This restaurant also has vegan options. The interiors are plush and comfortable and the hospitality is warm and friendly.
4. The Food Court Restaurant: The Food Court Restaurant is another popular restaurant situated on the Ranthambore Road near Kundera Bus Stand. This restaurant serves mouth-watering Indian food and fast food along with Chinese dishes. It is a great budget-eating restaurant.
Travellers’ Tip Before Visiting Trinetra Ganesh Temple
Here are some facts and tips that can make your trip to the Trinetra Ganesh Temple comfortable.
1. The Fort is open to tourists around the year and so is the Temple. However, if you want to be a part of the grand celebrations of Lord Ganesh, then you should visit the Temple during Ganesh Chaturthi. It is less crowded between the months of November to February.
2. Generally, the busiest days are Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There are various tour packages, ranging from Rs.10,000.00 to Rs. 50,000.00, depending upon how extensively a tourist desires to travel.
3. You have to keep in mind the extreme weather conditions of Rajasthan and pack clothing according to the season one chooses to visit.
4. It is advisable to wear a comfortable pair of shoes.
5. You should also carry drinking water, caps and sunglasses.
6. You might encounter “langurs” or monkeys while trekking and exploring the area, so you should keep your belongings safe.