Rajasthan is one of the most colorful states in India, with deserts, forts, and palaces galore, but it has many ancient temples as well. The Mehandipur Balaji Temple, one of the most mysterious, falls in the Dausa district and is dedicated to Lord Hanuman or “Balaji,” more familiarly known. Several visitors to this temple are of the opinion that they would leave the troubled forces or bad energies behind.
Let’s dig deep into what makes Mehandipur Balaji Temple unique and special.
Aarti Timing at Mehandipur Balaji Temple:
- Morning Aarti: 5:30 AM
- Evening Aarti: 7:30 PM
Note: Aarti times may vary slightly on special occasions or festivals.
Visiting Timing at Mehandipur Balaji Temple:
- Temple Open Hours: 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM
The Story of Mehandipur Balaji Temple
A long time ago, there was a legend that the Mehandipur Balaji Temple was formulated through a priest’s dream. The priest met in a dream with Lord Hanuman, or Balaji. In this dream, he was led to a site with three enormous idols which were said to possess high powers.
These were idols of Balaji (Hanuman), Pret Raj (King of Spirits), and Bhairav-the fierce form of Lord Shiva. Then he followed the same vision, and he found these idols. He believed that these idols had some magical powers for curing and protection, so he built a temple around them.
As the news spread, people from various walks of life were approaching the temple, especially those who had been troubled by evil spirits or bad luck. Mehandipur Balaji Temple nowadays is quite famous for its being a destination, where people get solutions, cures, and protection against harmful energies.
Distinctive Rituals of Mehandipur Balaji Temple
The rituals that are followed at Mehandipur Balaji Temple are unlike any other temple. Here, many tourists come not only to perform pujas but to become spiritually healed as well. Some special pujas include:
1. Exorcisms: Exorcism is one of the most popular rituals at Mehandipur Balaji Temple, which cleans a person from evil spirits. Priests will perform these exorcisms for people who believe that negative energy is haunting them.
During exorcisms, some people scream very loudly, shout, or even behave in weird manners to throw out bad spirits. Most of the people who seriously believe in the powers of Balaji take these rituals seriously.
2. Offering Laddoos to Balaji: Like other Hindu temples, the tradition of offering sweets to the god is also present at Mehandipur Balaji Temple. At Mehandipur Balaji Temple, people bring laddoos-the sweet made from flour and sugar-to offer to Lord Hanuman. Once devotees offer laddoos, they take some of the prasad, or blessed food, back home.
3. Burning Mustard Seeds and Chilies: There is another unique ritual to be followed at the temple. Burning mustard seeds and red chilies are said to ward off unhealthy energies as well as evil spirits. The way in which the burning of mustard seeds and chilies carries this purifying cleansing essence into the air also protects devotees at the same time.
4. Chains Offerings: Devotees who believe that they have been liberated from evil forces offer small iron chains in the temple. These symbolize breaking free from evil forces and also remind them of the protection power of the temple.
Beliefs About Mehandipur Balaji Temple
There are many stories from devotees about healings that took place after visiting the temple, and so many believe that Mehandipur Balaji Temple is a powerful one. Devotees believe that Balaji, or Lord Hanuman, is very powerful here and can remove fear, anxiety, and negative influences. People visit this temple hoping to get help and protection from bad luck, spirits, and diseases.
To many of the faithful, Balaji is not just a god; he is a savior who is going to save the devotees from unknown forces. This faith makes Mehandipur Balaji Temple not only a temple but also a source of hope and healing to people.
Three Major Gods Mehandipur Balaji Temple
There are three idols within Mehandipur Balaji Temple that are worshipped for different purposes:
1. Balaji (Lord Hanuman): The major deity of this temple is known as Balaji or Lord Hanuman. He is known to be extremely powerful and loyal. People pray for his protection and courage so that he can help them in not fearing anything during their life. According to people, Balaji frees men from their fears and brings them peace.
2. Pret Raj (King of Spirits): He is the other vital deity in the temple. The people pray for protection from evil spirits by worshiping Pret Raj. Those believers who are haunted or plagued by some kind of negative energies pray for relief by worshiping Pret Raj.
3. Bhairav: Bhairav is the fierce version of Lord Shiva and is prayed here in the context of protection. He is said to accompany Balaji in his fight with negative powers while maintaining peace for the tormented.
Important Rules for Visiting Mehandipur Balaji Temple
While you plan your visit to Mehandipur Balaji Temple, here are some important dos and don’ts:
1. Respect the Rituals: The rituals at the temple may be weird, but they do mean something to those who believe. Visitors should respect and take heed of the customs.
2. Don’t Turn Your Back on It: A strange rule at Mehandipur Balaji Temple is that visitors shouldn’t look back while leaving. It is believed that looking back may bring negative energy or spirits along with you.
3. Eat Prasad Locally: The prasad or the blessed food from the temple should be consumed in that village or at nearby distance. It should not be taken out of the village.
4. Dress Code and Behavior in the Temple: The rules about entering and exiting the temple vary. All visitors have to follow all these rules to show respect.
How to Reach By Mehandipur Balaji Temple
Here’s how you can reach Mehandipur Balaji Temple:
By Road
- From Jaipur: Mehandipur Balaji Temple is about 99 km from Jaipur. You can take a bus or taxi from Jaipur to reach the temple. The drive takes approximately 2 hours.
- From Delhi: The temple is around 250 km from Delhi. A drive from Delhi will take about 5–6 hours. Buses to Mehandipur Balaji are also available from major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra.
By Train
- Nearest Railway Station: Bandikui Junction, about 40 km from Mehandipur Balaji Temple.
- From Bandikui, you can take a local taxi or bus to reach the temple. Bandikui Junction is well connected to cities like Jaipur, Delhi, and Agra.
By Air
- Nearest Airport: Jaipur International Airport, located around 110 km from Mehandipur Balaji Temple.
- From Jaipur Airport, you can take a taxi or bus to reach the temple, which takes around 2–2.5 hours.
How to Book Aarti
To book an aarti at Mehandipur Balaji Temple, follow these steps:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the Shri Balaji Mehandipur website.
- Select the Online Booking Option: On the website, locate the “Online Booking” section, where you can select your preferred aarti date and time slot.
- Fill in Your Details: Enter the required personal information, such as your name, ID details, and contact information.
- Confirm Your Slot: After submitting your information, choose your time slot and confirm your booking. You will receive a confirmation, which you should keep as proof when you visit.
Conclusion
Mehandipur Balaji Temple is one of the rarest and mysterious temples in India, which may or may not be dedicated to Lord Hanuman, but it presents much more than a place for worship.
For many, Mehandipur Balaji Temple gives them the possibility of finding a way to come out from the clutches of fear, bad luck, or the negative energy. Thus, people provide life to this temple through its unique rituals, an intense atmosphere, and healing stories.
Whether one believes in its existence or not, Mehandipur Balaji Temple is a place that celebrates the power of belief each day. It does give an insight into the force of faith and how people make their way together looking for solace and protection for all visitors.