Salasar Balaji

Salasar Balaji or Salasar Dham in India is a place of religious importance for the devotees of Hanuman. It is located in the town of Salasar, on National Highway 65 near Sujangarh in Churu district, Rajasthan. The temple of Balaji, another name of Hanuman, is situated in the middle of Salasar and attracts innumerable worshippers throughout the year. On Chaitra Purnima and Ashvin Purnima large fairs are organized which millions of devotees visit as they pay homage to the deity.
Salasar Balaji is in the religious circuit that includes the pilgrim centers of Rani Sati Temple and Khatushyamji, which are both located close to it. Initially a small construction, the temple of Salasar Balaji is now considered to be a Shakti Sthal (a place of power) and Swayambhu (self creation) by faith, belief, miracles and wish fulfillments of the devotees.

Legend
There are several theories concerning the origins of Salasar Balaji.
One claims the discovery of the site by Ginthala Jat of Asota village in Nagaur district of Rajasthan. On one Saturday of Shraavana shukla Navami samvat 1811 (1754 AD), a miracle happened. A Ginthala Jat farmer of Asota village was ploughing his field when all of sudden the plough was hit by a stony thing and a resonating sound was created. He dug up the soil of that place and found an idol covered with sand. His wife reached there with his lunch. The farmer showed the idol to his wife. She cleaned up the idol with her saree. The idol was that of Balaji i.e. Hanuman. They bowed their heads with devotion and worshipped Balaji. The news of 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. Same night a devotee of Hanuman, Mohandas Maharaj of Salasar saw 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 knew even minor details without coming to Asota. Certainly it was due to the divine powers of Balaji. The idol was sent to Salasar and was consecrated at the place presently known as Salasar Dham.[1]
A slightly modified version to the same story indicates that upon seeing the dream of appearance of the Hanuman, the Thakur of that village ordered the idol to be shifted to Salasar and placed at the temple for the religious rituals to be performed. He brought two bulls, placed the idol on its cart and left them in the open courts believing to build the temple at the place where the bulls would stop. The place where the bulls stopped was given the present name of Salasar. Many of the villagers, shopkeepers and traders shifted their living to Salasar and thus a new village was formed.

Mohandas Maharaj

Sri Mohandas Maharaj was a great devotee of Hanuman. He practiced great penance and asceticism at the present Balaji temple at Salasar. It is said that Hanuman, pleased with his devotion, often appeared in his dreams. Worried with his immense devotion, Mohandas' sister Kanibai wanted to get him married against Mohandas desires to remain single. He convinced his sister by telling her that the girl with whom he decides to marry will die on the day of the marriage and thereby accomplished his desire to remain bachelor. The temple of Salasar Balaji was constructed by him and was maintained under his surveillance thereafter. Several years later, Mohandas handed over the temple and worship responsibilities to his nephew Udayram and appointed him the first pujari of the temple. He spent the rest of his life worshiping Hanuman with great devotion before taking samadhi (act of consciously and intentionally leaving one's body at the time of enlightenment). In his honour, Sri Mohan Mandir is constructed near the Balaji temple where the footprints of himself and Kanibai are still worshiped by all the devotees visiting the Balaji temple. This is also the samadhi sthal of both the devotees. The Holy Ramayana is being continuously read here since the last eight years.

Deity

The principal deity of the temple is Hanuman who receives veneration of millions of devotees here along with other deities. The idol of Balaji here is different from all other idols of Hanuman. Unlike other projections and idols of Hanuman, Balaji possess round face with moustache and beard making it the most unique idol among the other idols of Hanuman all over the world. It is believed that drinking water of the wells of the Salasar is due to the blessings of the Balaji.

Construction

The Temple was constructed on the 9th day the bright half of Shraavana in the samvat 1811 (1754 AD). Inspired by the strange dream and the unusual appearance of Balaji in the dream, the founder of the temple Mohandas Maharaj, got constructed a mud-stone temple initially with the help of Muslim 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 in 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

Architecture

The temple was constructed over a period of about 2 years while using bricks, stones, cement, lime mortar, and marble. While white marble stone has been extensively used throughout the construction of the temple, the entire circulatory path, the Sabha Mandap (prayer hall) and the Sanctum Sanctorum is covered with artistic works of Gold and Silver. The vestibule, the doors and the utensils used in worshiping 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 to give the temple a rich look. The idols placed were built of a high quality sculpture

Administration

While the worship of the deity is managed by the Brahmins priests from the Dadhich clan, 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.

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, as the number of pilgrims visiting the place reaches millions on one single day

Religious Aspects

The aim of the temple is to propagate the devotion of Hanuman and thereby the devotion of Rama. Thousands of visitors choose to come on feet, while some on prostrated movement showing their intensity of devotion for Balaji

Rituals

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 on wards

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 everyday. 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.

Activities

Some of the regular activities of the temple 

include

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 union by the singers.

Arrangement of stay for the visitors

Around the temple

Dhunia of Mohandasji: The holy fire lit by Mohandas Maharaj is still burning. The devotees consider the holy ashes called Vibhuti as sacred and eating a bit of it is believed to cure diseases. Some take it back home believing it to bring good luck and prosperity.[1]

Sri Mohan Mandir: Near the Balaji temple is the footprint of Mohandas and Kanidadi. This is the samadhi sthal of both the devotees. The Holy Ramayana is being continuously read here since the last eight years.

Akhand Hari Kirtan: Akhand Hari Kirtan (chanting of the name of Rama) is also continuing from the past twenty years in the temple premises of Balaji.

Temple of Anjani Mata: Anjani Mata is the mother of Hanuman. Her Holy temple, also believed to be the home of Balaji is situated one kilometer from the main Salasar Dham Temple on the Lakshmangarh - Salasar Road.

Gudavadi Shyam temple: This temple is one kilometer from the main Salasar Dham Temple. Two bullock carts from the times of Mohandas are placed here.

Shayanan Mata Mandir: The place is situated about 15 km from the temple on a unique hillock in the desert area and is supposed to be about 1100 years old.

Festivals and fairs

Sri Hanuman Jayanti / Chaitra shukla Chaturdashi and Purnima: The major festival is witnessed by millions of devotees from every part of the country.[1]

Ashvin Shukla Chaturdashi and Purnima: The fair is also witnessed by millions of devotees.

Bhaadra Shukla Chaturdashi and Purnima: This fair is as attractive as the rest fairs. Free food and sweet drinks are distributed to all.