Balanand Ka Math

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	Balanand Ji Ka Math in a July, 2007photograph. Behind the tree, the only standing right tower of the building is visible. (click image to open large version)
	A traditional Jaipur style painting by Shri Vishnu Soni shows what the Math may have once looked like in its day. The surviving right side of the building as well as old documents with the priest helped the team recreate the dramatic original façade. (click image to open large version)
SOURCE: Interviews with Shri Vinod Joshi and the temple priest.

The Math was built on land given by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II to his guru Shri Balanand Ji. It preceded Jaipur and was an important gathering place. The west side of the Math was the city wall. The small Balanand Ji ki Mori (tunnel) in the wall provided the only city access for late night travelers as the main gates would be closed. Shri Balanand Ji belonged to the Balanandi Ramanandi Vaishno Sect, a community famous for having ascetic warriors. The head gurus of the Math were highly revered because they led the Jaipur army into battle, astride on their elephants. Laxamanandcharya, the current mathadish, is the 22nd guru of the sect. Interestingly , given the god fearing nature of Indians, the temples of Jaipur are among the few structures that have not been ravaged by urban development, though many, including this Math, suffer from the lack of funds and neglect. The Math had a pond that supplied water via canals to tanks in the Chaupars (see later pages). A government school also operates in the Math now.

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