Govind Dev Ji Temple

Govind Dev Ji Temple stands within the City Palace complex in Jaipur and is among the most revered Krishna shrines outside Vrindavan. It dates from the 18th century and draws on Rajput and Mughal design, recalling the temples of Mathura and Nathdwara. Like other temples built by Jai Singh it has no porch or shikhara; the deity sits in a rectangular hall ringed by an arcade under a flat painted ceiling. Its satsang hall is listed by Guinness World Records for the widest single-span flat RCC roof.

Tradition holds that Krishna's great-grandson Bajranabh carved the image, guided by his grandmother, who had seen Krishna, until it matched his face. Rupa Goswami found the lost idol at Vrindavan in 1525, and in 1590 Raja Man Singh of Amer, with Akbar, built a temple there for it. Under Aurangzeb it was secretly taken to Amer for safety; Sawai Jai Singh II later brought it to Jaipur, first keeping it in the Suraj Mahal. Janmashtami and Holi bring huge crowds.