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Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Ranthambore
Ganesha (Trinetra) · Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan
॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥
Within the great Ranthambore Fort stands the Trinetra Ganesh Temple, dedicated to a rare three-eyed form of the lord, said to date from the 13th century and the reign of Hammir Dev Chauhan. So trusted is this Ganesha that families across India post wedding invitations to him by name, asking the remover of obstacles to bless their celebrations.
The three-eyed lord of the fort
Trinetra Ganesh is shown with three eyes and, unusually, with his whole family — his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi and his sons Shubh and Labh — a complete household of the lord. The shrine within Ranthambore Fort is traced to the 13th century, when, by legend, the deity appeared to King Hammir Dev during a long siege and brought relief to the fort.
The Ganesha who receives wedding cards
A custom unique to Ranthambore has spread across the country: families send the first invitation of a wedding by post to “Shri Ganesh, Ranthambore,” inviting the lord himself to bless the marriage and remove its obstacles. Sacks of such letters arrive at the temple, and the priests place them before the deity — a living tradition of faith.
A shrine in the tiger forest
The temple stands high within the ramparts of Ranthambore Fort, itself set in the famous tiger reserve of forest and lake. Pilgrims climb to the shrine through the historic gateways, and Ganesh Chaturthi brings a great fair, when thousands gather within the old fort for the three-eyed lord.
How to reach the temple
- By road: the temple is inside Ranthambore Fort, about 12 km from Sawai Madhopur town.
- By train: Sawai Madhopur is the nearest railway junction.
- By air: Jaipur airport is about 160 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Trinetra Ganesh Temple?
It is a shrine within Ranthambore Fort to a rare three-eyed (Trinetra) form of Ganesha, traced to the 13th century and the reign of Hammir Dev Chauhan.
Why do people send wedding cards to this Ganesha?
By a custom unique to Ranthambore, families post the first wedding invitation to “Shri Ganesh, Ranthambore,” inviting the lord to bless the marriage and remove its obstacles; the priests place the letters before the deity.
Why is the deity shown with a family?
Trinetra Ganesh is depicted with three eyes and his whole household — his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi and his sons Shubh and Labh — a complete family of the lord.
What is the legend of the temple?
Tradition holds that the deity appeared to King Hammir Dev during a long siege of Ranthambore and brought relief to the fort.
Where is the temple?
It is inside Ranthambore Fort, about 12 km from Sawai Madhopur, within the famous tiger reserve.
How do I reach the temple?
Sawai Madhopur is the nearest railway junction, about 12 km from the fort; Jaipur airport is about 160 km away.
॥ गणपति बाप्पा मोरया ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Ganesha as Trinetra (three-eyed) |
| Setting | Inside Ranthambore Fort |
| Special | Receives wedding invitations by post; shown with his family |
| Period | 13th c, Hammir Dev Chauhan |
| Region | Sawai Madhopur tiger reserve |
| Main Festival | Ganesh Chaturthi |