Galtaji Temple (The Monkey Temple) , Jaipur

Galtaji Temple feels more like entering a timeless spiritual retreat nestled within the Aravalli hills. Tucked about 10 km east of the city, the complex is built around seven sacred water tanks - or kunds - fed by natural freshwater springs that flow through a cow-shaped rock called Gaumukh. The holiest of them, Galta Kund, is believed to never run dry. Pilgrims visit to bathe here, especially during Makar Sankranti, believing the waters wash away sins.

The site is named after Saint Galav, who is said to have performed intense penance here for a hundred years. Pleased by his devotion, the gods blessed this spot with an eternal spring of water. While the sacred site has been revered for centuries, the current temple complex was largely built in the 18th century by Diwan Rao Kriparam, a courtier of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The poet-saint Tulsidas is also believed to have composed parts of the Ramcharitmanas at this very location.