Salasar Balaji

Salasar Balaji is a religious place for the devotees of Lord Hanuman. It is located in Churu district of Rajasthan. Salasar Dham is visited by innumerable Indian devotees throughout the year. Every year big fairs are organized on Chaitra Purnima and Ashwin Purnima. During this time, millions of devotees gather here to have a vision of this revered deity. There are many dharamshalas to stay here and many restaurants to eat and drink. The Sri Hanuman Temple is located right in the middle of Salasar town. #Jai Shri Balaji

Salasar Balaji
Idol of Balaji in Salasar Balaji temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictChuru
DeityHanuman
Location
LocationSalasar Balaji
StateRajasthan
CountryIndia
Location of Salasar Balaji temple in Rajasthan
Geographic coordinates27.72°N 74.71°E / 27.72; 74.71
Architecture
Completed9th day the bright half of Shraavana in the samvat 1811 (1754 AD)


Salasar Balaji or Salasar Dham in India is a place of religious importance for the devotees of Lord Hanuman. It is located in the town of Salasar, on National Highway 65 near Sujangarh in Churu district, Rajasthan. The temple of Balaji, founded by a farmer is situated in the middle of Salasar and attracts innumerable worshippers throughout the year. On Chaitra Purnima and Ashvin Purnima, large fairs are organized that attract devotees as they pay homage to the deity.

Salasar Balaji is in the religious circuit that includes the pilgrim centers of Rani Sati Temple, Jeen Mata and Khatushyamji, which are located close to it. Initially a small construction, the temple of Salasar Balaji is now considered to be a Shakti Sthal (a shrine) and Swayambhu (self-creation) by faith, belief, miracles and wish fulfilments of the devotees.

Legend

History claims the site was discovered by a Jat farmer of Asota village in Nagaur district of Rajasthan in samvat 1811 (1754 AD). The farmer hit an item in the ground while plowing his field and discovered it to be an idol covered with sand. His wife arrived and cleaned it the idol with her saree before determining it to be of Lord Hanuman, also known as Balaji in northern parts of India (not to be confused with Lord Vishnu worshipped as Balaji in southern parts of India). The news of the appearance of Balaji soon spread in the Asota village and reached the Thakur of Asota. That night Balaji appeared in Thakur's dream and ordered him to send the idol to Salasar in the Churu district. The same night a devotee of Lord Hanuman, Mohandas ji Maharaj of Salasar saw Lord Hanuman or Balaji in his dream too. Balaji told him about the idol of Asota. He immediately sent a message to the Thakur of Asota. The thakur was surprised to discover that Mohandas ji knew even minor details without coming to Asota. The idol was sent to Salasar and was consecrated at the place presently known as Salasar Dham.[1]

Temple

Deity

The principal deity of the temple is Lord Hanuman who receives veneration along with other deities. Of the idols of Lord Hanuman found in India, that at Salasar Balaji is unique because it has a round face with mustache and beard. It is believed that drinking water of the wells of the Salasar is due to the blessings of the Balaji.[2]

Construction

The temple was constructed in 1754 AD. Inspired by a strange dream in which Balaji featured, the founder of the temple, Mohandas ji Maharaj, constructed a mud and stone temple initially with the help of craftsmen Noora and Dau of Fatehpur Shekhawati. The place was later developed into a concrete temple with the help of the successor of Sikar Jagirdar Rao Devi Singh who contributed to the construction of the temple as he was once saved from the loot by Dungji-Jawaharji by the blessings of Balaji. Later, inspired by Mohandas' devotion towards Balaji, his descendants Kaniram and Ishwardas developed and renovated the temple which took the present form of a large temple complex. A patta of the land was made in the name of Balaji in the presence of Shobhasar Thakur Dhiraj Singh, Salasar Thakur Salim Singh and elders of Tetarwal Jats.[2]

Architecture

The temple was constructed over a period of about two years using bricks, stones, cement, lime mortar, and white marble. While white marble is used extensively throughout, the entire circulatory path, the Sabha Mandap (prayer hall) and the Sanctum Sanctorum are covered with artistic works of gold and silver. The vestibule, the doors and the utensils used in worshipping are made of silver. The main gate is made up of carving works of white marble. The temple shrine and the sanctum sanctorum are decorated with floral patterns and other kinds of mosaic works done in gold and silver.[2]

Administration

While the worship of the deity is managed by the Brahmins priests from the Dadhich clan who are descendants of Mohandas ji's sister, the temple is managed and maintained by the trust Hanuman Sewa Samiti. They also look after the management of the fairs, social works, public and private facilities such as the maintenance of road, water supply, charitable hospitals, in the village. Over the years, there have been many Dharamshalas and restaurants constructed here to stay and eat comfortably.[2]

Timings

The temple is open to devotees from early morning 4:00 am till 10:00 pm in the night. However, the temple is not closed at all on some special occasions such as Hanuman Jayanti.[2]

Religious aspects

Thousands of visitors choose to come on feet, while some on prostrated movement showing their intensity of devotion for Balaji.[2]

Coconut tying

Of many rituals and traditions performed at the temple, the most widely followed is the tying of coconuts with moli (sacred red threads) in the temple premises by a large number of devotees. It is widely believed that such practice helps them to fulfill their wishes if done with sincere faith. The practice was originated by the Jagirdar of Sikar, Rao Raja Devi Singh. Devi Singh did not have a son. He heard about Balaji and came to this place and tied a coconut on a tree to fulfill his wish of having a son. He was later blessed with a handicapped son Rao Raja Laxman Singh after ten months. Thus the custom of tying coconuts to fulfill wishes continues at the temple from that time onwards.[3]

Savamani

The other widely followed practice is the offering of food (weighing up to 50 kg) by the devotees to their deity, referred to as Savamani. The term "Savamani" is derived from the word "Sava" meaning one and a quarter in Hindi and the word "Mun" or "Maund", a mass unit weighing about 40 kg; thus adding the total up to 50 kg. Though the food is mostly prepared by the cooks of the temple kitchens, the process is now being outsourced to several independent shopkeepers & food-caterers due to the increasing number of offerings every day. Several delicacies like Dal, Baati, Churma, Boondi, Peda & Laddu is chosen for Savamani. The food after first being offered to the deity, is later used as part of family celebrations, distributed over to family and relatives or donated to the needy.[2]

Activities

Some of the regular activities of the temple include:[2]

  • Regular worships of the deity
  • Performing Aarti on fixed time slots
  • Feasting of Brahmins and other mendicants
  • Recitation of Ramayan
  • Recitation of Kirtan & Bhajans
  • Arrangement for Savamanis
  • Recitation of Sundar Kand on every Tuesday in a union by the singers.
  • Arrangement of stay for the visitors

Festivals and fairs

References
  1. "About Salasar Balaji". Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  2. "Salasar Balaji Temple Profile". Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  3. "Temple of Salasar Balaji". Retrieved 9 March 2012.
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