Temple of the Sun God (Monkey Temple)

The Temple of the Sun God, known by the locals as simply the Monkey Temple, is an entire temple complex just outside of Jaipur to the east. Hindu devotees flock here to bathe in the waters of the reservoir, thought to have a spiritual connection with the Ganges River, so that any who bathe in them will reap the same benefits. According to local legend, a saint named Gulta Ji miraculously filled the temple’s reservoir with Ganges water from a spring he brought up.

Many visitors to the temple make the 30-minute zigzagging trek up the mountain from Jaipur’s east gate for another reason, to see the monkeys who converge here. The hundreds of rhesus macaque monkeys who descend upon the temple are used to getting fed by temple visitors and are not at all camera shy.

The larger ones can get aggressive, so if you plan to feed them, keep the food in a sealed bag out of sight or it’s liable to get grabbed right out of your hand. Locals hanging around the base of the path will claim you need an escort to protect you from the monkeys for a charge. This really isn’t necessary, so feel free to decline.