Ranthambore’s 700-Year-Old Temple Where Lord Ganesha Is Worshipped with His Family

[Jambunathan Iyer]

Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Ranthambore’s 700-Year-Old Temple Where Lord Ganesha Is Worshipped with His Family

This Temples dedicated to Ganesha are common across India, but what distinguishes Ranthambore’s Trinetra Ganesh Temple is this sense of wholeness. Here, the Trinetra Ganesh Temple, the only shrine in the world where Lord Ganesha is worshipped along with his entire family giving the holy message to us that the god of new beginnings is not solitary; he is surrounded by family.

High in the historic Ranthambore Fort of Rajasthan lies a temple that holds a rare distinction in Hindu faith—The word Trinetra means “three eyes.” This rare depiction of Lord Ganesha symbolizes *wisdom, divine vision*, and his power to remove obstacles. It is a reminder to devotees that Ganesha not only blesses them with success and prosperity but also with insight and protection.

One of the most fascinating customs here is the tradition of sending letters and invitations to Lord Ganesha. Families invite him to weddings, housewarmings, or new business ventures by writing letters addressed to the temple. This practice reflects the deep belief that Bappa is not just a deity but a family member who participates in every important occasion.

As per local legends, the origins of the temple go back more than 700 years. In 1299 AD, King Hammir was at war with Alauddin Khilji. The siege lasted so long that food and supplies inside Ranthambore Fort began to run out. One night, King Hammir, a devoted follower of Lord Ganesha, dreamt that the deity appeared before him and assured him that his troubles would end by morning.

At dawn, a miracle took place. An idol of Lord Ganesha with three eyes (Trinetra) emerged from the fort wall. Soon after, the king’s godowns were mysteriously filled with supplies, and the war came to an end. In gratitude, King Hammir built the Trinetra Ganesh Temple in 1300 AD and enshrined Ganesha’s family idols alongside him, making it a one-of-a-kind shrine.

Also note that Riddhi represents prosperity, Siddhi embodies, success, while Shubh and Labh stand for auspiciousness and wealth and together, they form a tableau of harmony—an aspirational vision of balance between material and spiritual abundance.

Every year, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in a grand way at the temple. Thousands of devotees from across Rajasthan and beyond gather to seek blessings. The fort echoes with bhajans, aartis, and chants praising Lord Ganesha. 

Another famous tradition and also an uniqune one at the temple is that devotees often send letters and invitations to Lord Ganesha. Whether it’s a wedding, new business, or any happy event, people write to him, inviting him to bless the occasion. These letters are delivered to the temple address, making it one of the rare shrines where the deity is treated like a living family member.

How To Reach Trinetra Ganesh Temple

By Road: State buses and private taxis connect Ranthambore to cities like Jaipur, Delhi, Ajmer, Jodhpur, and Ahmedabad.

By Train: Sawai Madhopur Railway Station (10 km from the fort) is the closest. From there, you can take a cab or auto.

N Jambunathan , Chennai
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