Shri Hanuman Mandir, Sarangpur

Shri Hanuman Mandir

Shri Hanuman Mandir, Sarangpur
Shri Hanuman Mandir
Location in Gujarat
Geography
Coordinates 22°9′23″N 71°46′19″E / 22.15639°N 71.77194°ECoordinates: 22°9′23″N 71°46′19″E / 22.15639°N 71.77194°E
Country India
State Gujarat
Location Salangpur
Culture
Primary deity Hanuman in the form of Kastbhanjan
History and governance
Creator Gopalanand Swami

Shri Hanuman Mandir, Sarangpur is a Hindu temple located in Sarangpur, Gujarat and comes under the Vadtal Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday.[1] It is dedicated to Hanuman in the form of Kastbhanjan (Crusher of sorrows).[2]

History and description

This temple is among the more prominent ones in the Swaminarayan Sampraday. The image of Hanuman was installed by Sadguru Gopalanand Swami. According to author Raymond Williams, it is reported that when Sadguru Gopalanand Swami installed the image of Hanuman, he touched it with a rod and the image came alive and moved. This story has become a charter for the healing ritual performed at this temple.[1] The image of Hanuman here is a stout figure with a handlebar moustache, crushing a female demon under his foot and baring his teeth, standing among sculpted foliage full of fruit bearing monkey attendants.[2] In 1899, Kothari Gordhandas of Vadtal appointed Shastri Yagnapurushdas to manage the affairs of the mandir; during his tenure, Shastri Yagnapurushdas renovated the site, built the adjacent bungalow, and acquired more land for the complex to bring it to its current state.[3]

Following

The image of this temple is said to be so powerful that a mere look at it by people affected by evil spirits, drives the evil spirits out of the people affected.[4] Saturday is the designated day for a special ritual (as Saturday is dedicated to Hanuman) for those affected by mental illnesses and other disorders. They are brought to the temple to be touched by the rod used by Sadguru Gopalanand Swami during the installation ceremony of the image. This rod has now been covered in silver. The temple administration has hired a brahmin householder to act as a priest at the temple and conduct this ritual. After this, the person affected is instructed to circumambulate the shrine and repeat this after doing darshan a number of times. Some people take a special vow to do this a certain number of times or to chant the Swaminarayan Mahamantra whiles doing this.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Raymond Brady Williams (2001). An introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism. Cambridge University Press. pp. 128, 96. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Philip Lutgendorf (2007). Hanuman's tale. Oxford University Press US. p. 248. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  3. ↑ Dave, Kishore (2009). Shastriji Maharaj. Ahmedabad: Swaminarayan Aksharpith. p. 44. ISBN 81-7526-129-3.
  4. ↑ Rajaram Narayan Saletore (1981). Indian witchcraft. Abhinav Publications. p. 40. Retrieved May 14, 2009.

External links