Amidst the intense heat of Jaipur, the centuries-old tradition of providing coolness to Thakurji in temples is back in the news. Advance bookings for the ‘Phool Bangla’ and Jalvihar tableaux at the city’s major temples are now open until June. Adorned with jasmine flowers, kewda, and roses, these divine palaces are not just decorations but a symbol of the devotees’ deep faith. Significantly, thanks to social media and Instagram reels, young people are increasingly joining this tradition.
Jai Govind Dev ji 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/kA7O0kcFGA
— Manan Natani (@MananNatani1) May 16, 2026Advance booking for June
As soon as the sun begins to shine, the mood of the Pink City of Jaipur completely changes. But did you know that this time the city’s intense heat has not only affected humans but also the love of devotees for God to reach new heights? When the mercury soars, Jaipur’s age-old tradition of ‘cooling Thakurji’ reaches its peak.
This is why the city’s major temples are already seeing a flurry of advance bookings for the “Phool Bangla” and Jalvihar tableaux, stretching from now until June. Devotees are eagerly waiting to protect their deities from the scorching sun.
It’s a faith of devotees
Kailash Sharma, the Mahant of Motidungri Ganesh Temple, says that people should not mistake this for mere decoration. It is actually a deeply emotional and sacred act of providing coolness to the deity. To create this structure, a framework of bamboo and special wooden planks (called “taati” in the local language) is created. Then, magnificent doors, majestic windows, balconies, and windows are carved on it using flowers, giving it the appearance of a true “Phool Bangla.”
Temple will be fragrant with Mogra-Kewda
Not every flower can be selected for this special service. Primarily, jasmine, kewda, tuberose, local roses, and exotic orchids, along with colorful leaves, are used for making Phool Bangla. The speciality of these flowers is that their subtle fragrance and natural coolness last for a full 24 hours. Approximately 15 to 40 kilograms of fresh flowers are required to create a medium-sized flower bungalow.
Phool Bangla bookings full in these temples of Jaipur
Mahant Malay Goswami of the Radha Damodar Temple explains that the enthusiasm of devotees this time is palpable. All major Vaishnav and Ganesha temples, including Govind Devji, Gopinathji, ISKCON Temple, and Radha Damodarji on Chaura Rasta, have already locked in Saturday and Sunday dates for the coming weeks.
What is the history?
This tradition of Phool Bangla and Jalvihar in Jaipur dates back to the princely era. Since the time of the former royal family, the Govind Devji Temple has had a tradition of seasonal service to Thakurji (such as warm clothing in winter and cool offerings in summer). Besides Jaipur, temples in Vrindavan and Mathura also display similar tableaux during the months of Jyeshtha and Aashadh, reflecting the vibrant culture.
The growing craze of youth
There was a time when this Phool Bangla’s services were primarily attended by the elderly or family members. However, today’s youth are increasingly drawn to this beautiful culture. Captivating photos and Instagram reels of the deity adorned with white mogra flowers are drawing young people to the temples. Young people are no longer just coming for darshan, but are also actively participating in the management and booking of these tableaux.
A connection with health: the beginning of ‘Sheetal Bhog’
During the summer months, not only do the deities’ attire and bungalow change, but their menu also undergoes a major shift. Temples offer “cool offerings” like mango panna, watermelon juice, cold water from a clay pot, sattu, cucumber, and sugar candy and butter. Religiously, it is believed that offering seasonal offerings to the deity brings happiness, prosperity, and health to the family.
Edited by: Bhoomi Goyal
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