Jagat Shiromani Mandir Amer – Famous Temple of Jaipur
If you are targeting to visit the famous temples of Jaipur include the Jagat Shiromani Temple in Amer Jaipur. Architecture lovers, history buffs and for the spiritually inclined, Jagat Shiromani Temple is a must visit.
View from Jagat Shiromani Temple Amer
Brief History of the Temple
Queens of India have made tremendous contribution to architecture. Jagat Shiromani Mandir of Amer is one such temple. It was made by Queen Shringar Devi Kanakwati wife of King Man Singh I. It makes it even more touching to know that she, a mother, had built it lovingly in memory of her son Jagat Singh.
The construction took nine long years, between the years 1599 to 1608. The queen wanted the temple to be a universally famed one, hence named it Jagat Shiro Mani – meaning jewel on the head of Lord Vishnu. The temple is dedicated to Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Jagat Singh son of Man Singh
Man Singh I was favorite of Mughal Emperor Akbar and was conferred with several titles. This had made other Mughal kings extremely jealous and they rebelled against Akbar from time to time. Man Singh and his son Jagat Singh fought several wars for Emperor Akbar.
During the conquest of Bihar, Man Singh defeated the kings of Gaya and Kargpur. Both of them were forced into submission and paid tribute to the emperor. Some Afghan nobles of Bengal tried to invade Bihar during Man Singh’s occupation, but were soundly defeated by Man Singh’s son Jagat Singh. The invaders left their loot and fled back to Bengal, the spoils of war and 54 elephants were sent to the emperor.
Man Singh after conquering Bihar was ordered to defeat the Afghan Sultan Qatlu Khan Lohani of Orissa. Man Singh set out for Orissa on April 1590, Jagat Singh was sent with an advance army to study the area. However he was attacked by Sultan Qatlu Khan and was badly defeated. Several notable commanders of Amber were killed, including Bika Rathor, Mahesh Das and Naru Charan. Jagat Singh was saved by Raja Hamir Singh and escaped to the fort of Vishnupur.
It is believed Jagat Singh I received education from Goswami Tulsidas and Man Singh himself used to attend his religious lectures.
History of Jaipur mentions another king by the same name Jagat Singh II. He was the son of King Pratap Singh and became Maharaja (king) of Amber and Jaipur from 1803 to 1818.
(Wiki is hotch-potch with dates and names of these kings. At one place it is mentioned, Jagat Singh son of King Man Singh, years 1586 to 1620. This date contradicts the temple’s date of construction 1599 to 1608. Please comment if any correction is to done.)
Architecture of Jagat Shiromani Mandir of Amer
The temple is built on a small hillock. There is a discarded well just at the left as you enter the temple. Peeping in I saw a turtle swimming about, it disappeared before I could take a proper picture of it.
A flight of steps leads to its grand arched entrance. Referred to as Mahameru Prasad, meaning building resembling the huge mountain Meru, it is one of the oldest temples in Amber.
The temple is made with locally sourced stones like white marble and black stone. There are well chiselled statues of trumpeting elephants and horses and scenes from mythological texts adorning the walls, pillars and toran (arches).
Garuda – Vahana (vehicle) of Lord Vishnu
Spiritual aspects of the Temple
Inside the shrine you can see an idol of Lord Vishnu and another of Lord Krishna. The priest of the temple told us this same idol was worshiped by Mira Bai, hence the temple was also known by the name Mira Mandir. There is a sculpted image of Garuda, the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Vishnu, just next to the temple.
Legend of Jagat Shiromani Temple
An interesting story about this temple is that the statue of Lord Krishna in this temple is same statue that Meera Bai used to worship in the state of Mewar, 600 years ago. This statue was saved from destruction by rulers of Amer during Mughal war with Mewar state. The idol was brought safely to Amer and set in a temple. There is a statue of Meera Bai too set along with Lord Krishna’s idol.
Location of Jagat Shiromani Temple
The temple has two entrances gates. The main entrance gate can be accessed from the main road of Amer town. The other gate is from the stair of the Amer Palace which leads to the inside of the temple open courtyard.
Temple Timings and Tickets
The temple is open from 6am to 1pm and from 4pm to 8pm. Entry is free. Even if you are not keen to offer prayers, it is worth a visit purely to see its architectural splendor.
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This temple looks amazing. I would love to see those carvings in real life.
Hope you get to see it in real soon.
It is incredible to me how well-preserved the carvings are both inside and out! It is interesting as well that the Jagat Shiromani Temple was commissioned by a queen so many centuries ago. The main gate and the statues inside have so much detail, I’d really love to see it in person someday soon!
Hi Kevin, the sculpted images are in good condition. I hope you get to see them soon.
If the history is true, what a trailblazer this queen was. To have built this in honour of her son is a wonderful legacy.
Yes Renee, I too have deep admiration for her.
Every time I read a blog post about Jaipur I am sorry we never made it there on our visit to India. I just love the detail in the architecture in temples like the Jagat Shiromani Mandir of Amer. The statues always seem so alive. So great that the Lord Krishna statue was saved from destruction.
Thanks for the comment Linda. I hope you will get there soon.
I have to admit, I read your parts on the history two or three times (as I am not hot on Indian history) to fully understand. Still left a bit confused but not sure why but at the end of the day, it took nine years to build and the queen wanted it to be amazing. By the looks of it, its definitely worth visiting, I love the architecture and would take the time out to see this when I ever get to Jaipur.
Hi Danik, the nine year span for building the temple may be due the fact that manual labour for such a huge temple requires lot of resources. Sourcing raw material from distant places, carrying them up the hillock all requires time.
And we must not forget it was made by a queen and not a king. What kind of resources she had access to, one cannot be sure.
The history definitely is a little confusing to me (and to Wiki as well it seems :)) as there are so many names I have never heard of. So crazy to think there was a time when things like 54 elephants were sent to emperors. I agree that even if you are not going to the temple to pray, it’s still an interesting place to see and learn a bit of history. emperor.
Hi Candy, I am glad you found the temple interesting. It is really worth a visit.