Home / Temples / Durga Kund Mandir (Monkey Temple)
Devi Temple · 18th-century architectureBuilt in the 18th century in the North Indian Nagara style and washed in the deep red ochre it's known for, Durga Kund Mandir overlooks a rectangular water tank that was once fed entirely by rainfall and temple drainage — and it's long been nicknamed the "Monkey Temple" for its resident population of macaques.
The temple's architecture is some of the most distinctive in the city — tiered, red-painted, and reflected in the tank it overlooks, which makes it a favourite stop for photography even among people who aren't visiting specifically to worship.
The monkeys that give it its nickname are a genuine part of the daily scene here, and while they're generally harmless, it's worth keeping food and loose items (especially sunglasses and phones) out of easy reach while you're there.
It sits close to the Tulsi Manas Mandir, so the two are almost always visited together — a natural half-day loop if you're exploring the southern part of the old city away from the main riverfront.
Late afternoon, when the red architecture catches good light
Tulsi Manas Mandir, a short walk away
Keep food, phones and loose items away from the resident monkeys
A resident population of macaques lives around the temple and tank, and the nickname has stuck among visitors for decades, even though the temple's formal name is Durga Kund Mandir.
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