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Sri Mehandipur Balaji Temple is a famous temple in north India. It is situated in district Dausa, Rajsthan. This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This temple is famous for its curing power for mentaly unstablr people. It is believed that this temple is very powerful place. It is said that the deity in this temple has divine power to cure a person possessed with evil spirit.Hundreds of 'Sankatwalas', as the possessed people are refereed to in local lingo, throng to the temple everyday to offer prayers and have 'darshan'. The temple has also become a home and the last respite for the victims.The 'Mahant' of the temple, Shri Kishor Puri Ji, prescribes the treatment. It can include reading holy texts, following a strict vegetarian and simple diet, and even afflicts physical pain to one's body. One can witness people going through various physical therapies like keeping heavy stones on their body , on arms, legs and chest , to ease their pain. There are others who inhale the smoke that fumes out of the sweet Patasa's kept on smoldering cowpats. The ones with serious case of spirit possession, who tends to get violent, are even shackled in chains within the temple premises. Thousands of people are believed to have been cured in this way. Festival time (Holi, Hanuman Jayanti and Dusshera etc) are regarded as the most auspicious time to free from the evil spirit Medical science may discard such approach to the ailment as self-deceptions based on blind faith, but for the believers, the power of Balaji is something supernatural, something beyond metaphysics. History According to legend, the present-day forms of the "Divine Trinity" found in the Mehandipur Dham appeared around one thousand years ago in a valley amidst the hills of the Aravali Range. Shri Ganesh Puri ji Maharaj, who was the 11th Mahant of this pilgrimage center used to say that this area was covered by a thick and dense forest, full of wild animals, once upon a time. One of the ancestors of Shri Mahantji had dreams in which Sri Balaji Maharaj had indicated three divine deities and a magnificent temple. He had also heard a divine voice ordering him to get up and be prepared for Sri Balaji Hanuman's duty. He was unable to see any one initially but after years of "Sadhna", Lord Sri Balaji finally appeared and showed him the place in the forest where the temple and the three Divine Forms were found. That ancestor of Shri Mahantji started "puja" and "arti" regularly at the sacred spot in the forest. In the early days of the religious activities of the first "Mahant", some miscreants tried to dig out the deity but they could not reach the bottom of the statue as it is a part of the hill surrounding the temple compound. There is a small pot at the feet of the "Presiding Deity" and the water in this pot never dries up due to continuous flow of "Blessed Holy Jal" from the left side of the chest of Lord Shri Balaji Hanuman. The "Divine Trinity" in the Mehandipur Dham comprises Pawanputra Sri Balaji Hanuman, Sri Bhairava Baba and "Swayam-Bhu" Sri Pret-Raj Sarkar. Rituals performed Religious ritualistic performances, charity, feeding the poor, homeless and incapacitated people, water supply for all and fodder for cows and stray animals are the activities of this temple. How to reach there By Air - The nearest airport is Sanganer, Jaipur (113 kms) By Rail - The Nearest Railway station is Bandikui (40 kms) By Road - Mehandipur Balaji is well connected to All major cities of North India .There is very frequent service of buses on Agra Jaipur highway. The journey can be performed by car from delhi either via Alwar-Mahwa or mathura-Bharatpur-mahwa. Nearest places to see Nilkanth Mahadev Temple - The Temple is situated on the Aravali mountain range is at the centre of Dausa district. The temple is situated at the top of a hill. The temple is said to be 100-200 years old.A large stone Linga, was also found whose top only is visible above the ground. It originally belonged to a Shiv Temple on the summit of the hill and a temple of Nilkanth Mahadev now occupies the site. Another interesting aspect linked to faith held by the devotees is the tiny stone structures bearing the appearance of houses at the sidewalks on the way to temple. These are built by pilgrims on their way to the shrine believing that this would fulfill their wishes of having a house of their own. Mataji Ka Mandir - Another group of finely carved sculptures dating back to12th century AD that are worshipped are built in the front wall of a modern temple (built in 1965) known as Mataji ka Mandir etc. On the way to the Bawdi is the Harshd Mata Temple. It is dedicated to a goddess. It was built by King Chand or Chandra of Nikumbha Rajputs of Chahamana Dynasty who was ruling at Abaneri or ancient Abha-Nagari (City) during 8th - 9th century A.D. Facing East, this temple is raised over double terraced platform. Originally hails the super structure of the Mahameru Style. The Sanctum is Pancharatha on plan and consists of Sandhara Garbhagriha, pillared Mandapa, crowned by a domical ceiling. Each niche of the buttress of Garbagriha has beautiful Brahmanical deities. Sculptures curved in deep relief fixed in the niches around the plinth of the upper terrace are the main attraction of this temple. Kaila Devi Temple - Kaila Devi(Goddess) Temple is situated on the banks of the Kalisil river in Karauli district. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Kaila, of the erstwhile princely rulers of the Karauli state.It is a marble structure with a large courtyard of a checkered floor.In one place are a number of red flags planted by devotees.The place is also famous for its fair held during the dark half of 'chaitra'(March-April) and lasts for a fortnight. Accomodation Dausa has few good hotels of quality services like the Hotel Madhuban.There are many budget hotels too. There is a Dharamshala around the temple too that provides accommodation at very nominal charges. Things to Remember The disciples and Sankawalasare advised to contact Enquiry office for information required. During the festive season & Mela please maintain discipline,wait patiently and coordinate with trust authorities. Please Treat Sankatwalas humbly. Bath, bear fresh clothes, be in queue & chant Jai shri Balaji-2 while for Darshan. Leave the children at home/dharmshala/hotel as they may urinate etc in temple area and make place untidy. Lying/playing is not allowed in temple premises. The people are not allowed to enter in girbh grigh area of temple. Offerings/prasadam should be handed over to pujariji. For offerings 'sawamani', 'Bhandara', 'Bhramin Bhojan', 'Hawan', 'chola to Deity' , etc please contact Trust office in temple premises. Disciples are intimated that entry in inhabited state or after smoking is totally banned. Ladies, insane and evil spirited person must be accompanied by a attendant. Spiritual water after arti of Lord shri Balaji shall be obtained with discipline and calm. Taking photograph of deities and Sankatwalas is prohibited. Insane and evil spirited person are cured by blessings of lord shri balaji.The attendant must take the help of representative of trust for cure/relief of sankat. The disciples are advised not to contact Sadhus,Sanyasies and fakirs etc for this purpose. No trusty/self worker is supposed to take any favour from the devotees. If any person faces harassment from any employee or self worker of trust.Please lodge a complain in office of sri balaji trust. Beware of Pickpockets around the temple.As far as possible carry minimum cash and jewellery .Keep your precious belongings like Mobile phones, Gold jewellery at hotel room itself while going for Darshanas. |
