Jhunjhunu - An Introduction

Introduction

    After taking the darshan at the Khatu temple, I was in the village of my granny, Jhunjhunu. As soon as I step in the Rani Sati Temple complex, it’s not long before the ambience of royal splendor grips me. Situated around 175 Km from Jaipur and 100 kms ahead of Khatu, we reached Jhunjhunu in about 2 hrs.

[ The imposing entrance to the Rani Sati Temple – Jhunjhunu ]

 [ Side view of the main entrance ]

    A huge structure sprawling over a large area, the temple here is housed in a beautiful complex. The temple is more than 400 years old, but still whispers tales of feminine valor, commitment, love and motherhood. The main deity here is Rani Sati Dadi, a devoted wife who had committed sati (a ritual suicide of a widow on her husband’s funeral pyre…The entire story in the next post). She is today worshipped as a form of Shakti. The temple attracts a large number of devotees not only from Rajasthan but from all over the world. Administered by the Marwari Temple Board from Kolkata which is one of the wealthiest Temple trusts in India, it is said that earning of this temple amounts little less from that of Tirupati Balaji Temple.

Amongst one of the most ancient, glorious and truly magnificent temples of India, the grandeur of this outstandingly incredible masterpiece is beyond compare and mesmerizes me each time I visit it.

[ Beautiful carved, painted and decorated main entrance door ] 

[ One of the Wonderfully decorated and painted windows ]

    The Rani Sati Fair is one of the most popular fairs held in Rajasthan. On Bhado Amavasya (no-moon day) a special Pujan Utsav is held here. My grandmother often recounts how they used to celebrate the occasion at their home in Mumbai some 65 years ago (travelling was a luxury then), with bhajans being sung all night and bundi prasads being cooked and served to the whole colony. She has never ever visited the temple but her devotion towards Dadi is something of the very highest order.

Where to Stay, Eat

    Accommodation is provided within the campus of the temple with a variety of rooms (air-cooled, a/c rooms or ordinary rooms) to choose from. We stayed in an a/c room which costs Rs 500/day. The rooms are very clean and nicely kept. The well maintained rooms, the reasonable prices coupled with a peaceful ambience make it the best staying option in Jhunjhunu.

[ Jhunjhunu Temple complex showing rooms, 

there are almost thrice the  number you see here ]

    Within the temple premises, there is a huge dining hall catering to about 80-100 people at a time. This is the best place to have one’s meal while one is in Jhunjhunu. The food is freshly cooked, is tasty and is basic Rajasthani fare very similar to what I had described in my previous post on Khatu. The food is first offered as bhog to the goddess before being served to the devotees. Both lunch and dinner is available at a cost of Rs 40/thali.

Food timings:

Lunch - 12 noon, Dinner – 8 pm.

The timings are strictly followed and first one needs to buy a coupon which is available 2 hours or so before the meals. So, if you are planning to have your meal here then make sure to reach the place well in advance.