Shri Hanuman Temple in Sarangpur

                                                  Shri Hanuman Temple


Shri Hanuman Temple in Sarangpur is a famous Hindu Temple in India. It is located in Sarangpur village of Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. The closest town to this village is Bhavnagar in Gujarat. The name Sarangpur means “where peacocks live”.
Shri Hanuman Temple in Sarangpur is a Swaminarayan Temple built by Gopalanand Swami who was a saint of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and who was one of the Swaminarayan’s Paramhansas. As mentioned it is the only Swaminarayan Temple to have Shri Hanuman as its primary deity. It is a famous temple of Shri Hanuman especially among the Swaminarayan Sampraday. This temple comes under the Vadtal Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday.

There are thousands of devotees that visit the temple every year as it is a very famous temple among Hindus. The idol of Shri Hanuman is in the form of Kastbhanjan which means crusher of sorrows. The idol is a stout figure with handlebar moustache, crushing a female demon under his foot and the idol is standing between sculpted foliage full of fruit bearing monkey attendants.
Lord Hanuman is believed to crush sorrows and hence the name Kashtbhajan. About 150 kilometres from Ahmedabad and dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the temple witnesses queues of devotees waiting for their turns to worship his image and get cured of their illnesses. This is the only Swaminarayan temple where Lord Hanuman is worshipped as the central deity.
 According to the author Raymond Williams, it is believed that the image of Hanuman came alive and moved when Sadguru Gopalanand Swami installed the image and touched it with a rod. It is because of this story that the healing ritual is performed at the temple. It is also believed that just by looking at the image of Hanuman, people affected by evil spirits get rid of them. The best day to visit the temple is Saturday when a special ritual is performed.

This Hanumanji temple is considered most holy and sacred. It is among the more prominent ones in the Swaminarayan Sampraday. The image of Hanuman was installed by Sadguru Gopalanand Swami on Ashwini vadi pancham - savant 1905 (as per Hindu calandar). 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. Sarangpur is easily reached by bus or car, as it is only 82 km from Bhavnagar Gujarat. There can be a long wait at the temple gate sometimes, mainly on Saturdays. The temple is really big and spacious, and the statue of Lord Hanuman is really impressive

History Of Shri Hanuman Temple in Sarangpur:-

This temple is among the more prominent ones in the Swaminarayan Sampraday. The image of Hanuman was installed by Gopalanand Swami. According to author Raymond Williams, it is reported that when 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.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.

Hanuman was born to 'Anjana', a female vanara. Anjana was actually an apsara or a celestial being, named 'Punjikasthala', who, due to a curse, was born on the earth as a female vanara. The curse was to be removed upon her giving birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva.Along with Kesari, Anjana performed intense prayers to Shiva to beget Him as her Child. Pleased with their devotion, Shiva granted them the boon they sought.

Salangpur Hanumanji Temple:-

 This Hanumanji temple is considered most holy and sacred. It is among the more prominent ones in the Swaminarayan  Sampraday.

The image of Hanuman was installed by Sadguru Gopalanand Swami on Ashwini vadi pancham - savant 1905 (as per Hindu calandar). 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. Sarangpur is easily reached by bus or car, as it is only 82 km from Bhavnagar.There can be a long wait at the temple gate sometimes, mainly on Saturdays. The temple is really big and spacious, and the statue of Lord Hanuman is really impressive. Make sure to collect the holy water from the well. There are counters where you can pay  your donations against a receipt for the same. You will also be given a plasticbag containing prasad in the form of sukhdis, a Gujarati sweet. The temple was renovated recently. Food is  served free to all visitors at the temple’s dining room. This dining room is run by the temple’s trust as well as the Swaminarayana temple located in the same complex. Around 5,000 people take prasad in the form of lunch daily.This figure will be at least double on Saturdays. Booklets of Hanuman Chalisa are available in all forms and sizes at very nominal rates. There is a dharmshala located near the gate of the temple, where the people can stay overnight if they wish.  Buses are available from all the main cities of Gujarat.
 You can also get the daily darshan and other information from its website (www.salangpurhanumanji.com) and you can mail on salangpurhanumanji@yahoo.co.in for any inquiry or any donation.

◾Figurine of the lord Hanuman: The sculpted image or figurine of lord Hanuman looks quite lively and stout on whose face is carved a handlebar mustache. A female demon is carved trampled under the lord’s pious feet while the backdrop embossed carving of foliage in grove has various monkeys rejoicing the taste of fruits.                
◾Miraculous rod: The rod by which Sadguru Gopalanand Swami installed the main figurine is said to have the sorcerous power. Thus, it is leafed with silver coat.
◾Brahmin householder: The entire responsibility of this temple is assigned to a Brahmin householder for discharging the daily rituals.
◾Ritual: The affected or inflicted person in the grip of evil spirit is ordained to circumambulate the shrine a number of times for getting rid of the impact of witchery permanently while taking special oath and reciting the Swaminarayan Mahamantra.

The deity:-

Hanuman is in the form of Kastbhajan

Rituals of Shri Hanuman Temple:-

 Lord Hanuman, the presiding deity of the temple is said to have a powerful influence over the devotees visiting the temple. The idol of the Lord is a stout figure having a handlebar moustache. He, standing in the midst of sculpted foliage bearing fruit is seen killing a female demon under his foot. Few monkeys are seen attending him. As per the local belief the powerful sway of the Lord helps in eliminating evil spirits. Devotees suffering from mental illnesses or some other disorder throng the temple premises to offer worship at they feet of the Lord and receive his blessings. The sick people are touched by the rod that was used by Sadguru Gopalanand Swami at the installation ceremony. The rod is now coated with silver. Following this, the affected person is asked to circumambulate the shrine and repeat the activity several times. Devotees are also instructed to chant the Swaminarayan Mahamantra while going around the temple.
 A Brahmin householder has been appointed by the temple administration to accomplish the daily religious rituals of the temple. Besides the ailing patients several other devotees also visit the temple premises especially on Saturdays.

Significance of the Sarangpur Hanuman Temple:-

•During darshan, one will come out via the famous well whose water is considered very holy. It is a belief that the statue of Lord Hanuman was found in this well before about 350 years and the temple was constructed at the same place.
•Sarangpur Hanuman Temple is famous around the world for expelling spirits and Ghosts from people plagued with such problems.Hundreds come to Sarangpur at the feet of Hanumanji Maharaj to be rid of such problems. The priests perform this puja vidhi near the well of the temple. It takes around a couple of hours to do this procedure. It is required to reach in the early morning if you are interested in such vidhi. A large number of people in India make it a point to begin their work only after visiting Shri Hanumanji and offering the documents at his feet. They visit every Saturdays to offer Puja and Prasad without fail.
•Psychological disorders or the adverse affect of witchery can be eliminated from the body of the sufferer on Saturday since it is the day when appeased deity breaks the bondage of witch-craft and brings heal to the sufferer. The affected or inflicted person in the grip of the evil spirit is ordained to circumambulate the shrine a number of times for getting rid of the impact of witchery permanently while taking the special oath and reciting the Swaminarayan Mahamantra.

About Gopalanand Swami:-

 The rising sun of the 8th day of the bright half of Magh month of Vikram Samvat 1837 in Todla village 15 kms from Idar (Shamlaji) in the State of Gujarat saw the birth of Gopalanand Swami who illumines this religion with his sun-bright radiance. Born of father Motiram Sharma and mother Kushaladevi, his childhood name was Khushal Bhatt. In spite of being married his attitude remained desireless and renouncing. He pursued deep study of grammar, Indian philosophy of Nyaya and Vedanta and logic and he was widely popular as a profound scholar. He had started a (pathshala) residential school to benefit the needy students with his knowledge. Being a Mukta miracles were at his finger tips, as he was capable of teaching lessons of non-violence to the fierce animals like tigers and lions and made them humble by catching their ears and would make aggressive snakes gentle. He removed pain and misery from the lives of many souls. He exposed the pretending imposters in religion. He came to know from the Brahmins Kashiram and Murlidhar of Balasinor (District Kheda, Gujarat, India) that Purushottamnarayan has manifested upon the earth. Khushal Bhatt got the opportunity of having Darshan of Shri Hari at Dabhan along with Swami Ramdasji at the will of Shri Hari.
 Again arose in him a strong desire for the vision of Lord Swaminarayan. Taking the form of a Brahmin the Lord Himself went to Todla village to tell Khushal Bhatt that he would accompany him if he wanted to set out in search of God. Thus Khushal Bhatt leaving home accompanied by the Brahmin (Lord Swaminarayan) came to Jetalpur village to search Shri Hari there they had Darshan (vision) of Shri Hari Who told him “I (Shri Hari) have brought you here” spoke the Lord in the form of guide Brahmin. After having the vision he contemplated on Lord Swaminarayan and experienced the emergence of indescribable super consciousness state within him. Then on 8th day of dark half of Kartik month of Vikram Samvat 1864 Shri Hari offered Diksha to Khushal Bhatt in Gadhada, thus initiating him He blessed him with the name Gopalanandji.
 Incorporated like Rama and Laxman, Lord Swaminarayan and Gopalanand Swami did many deeds full of surprise and miracles in the Holy Fellowship. After studying scriptures in Vadodara as disciple of Shri Hari he impressed the audiences by his meritorious effective preachings. 19 volumes in Sanskrit and 7 in Prakrit i.e. vernacular were created by Gopalanand Swami, which include a critical treatise of Bhagwad Geeta and on Ishavashyopanishada.
 There were more than 60 saints in the group of Gopalanand Swami. Lord Swaminarayan having established the tradition of selecting cardinal chief from his own family line assigned the responsibility of acting as mediator between the Ahmedabad and Vadtal Diocese to Gopalanand Swami who looked after to the careful welfare-based management of both the Dioceses. He had ordered all the saints and devotees to obey his orders and carry out all his instructions. For 22 years after the departure of Lord Swaminarayan great saint Gopalanand Swami looked after the strengthening and spreading of the Swaminarayan way of life.
 By the grace of Shri Hari and by the strength of his Ashtangyoga-penance he consecrated the idol of Kashtabhanjan Dev - the distress-destroyer God Hanumanji (Monkey-God) at Sarangpur village of Ahmedabad district, which to day stands as the proof of the spiritual strength and wealth of Gopalanand Swami. After Lord Swaminarayan had left for His imperishable abode, Gopalanand Swami took care of Holy Fellowship including the enhancement of rituals, festivals, traditions, Aarti-puja and the expansion of the highest modes of worship and devotion and fulfilled the mission for which he was born to work along with Lord Swaminarayan.
 After laying a deep foundation and strict boundaries for the worship of Shri Hari-consecrated Laxminarayan Dev, Nara-Narayan Dev, the two Cardinal Acharyas, ascetics and satsangis and entire Holy Fellowship may follow the line of action prepared by the holy scriptures and Lord Swaminarayan, he gave up his material body and left for imperishable abode on the 4th day of dark half of Vaishakh month of Vikram Samvat 1908 at Vadtal. In order to commemorate this great saint a marble monument has been set up at the spot of his cremation at the holy land of Jnan Baug - Vadtal.
 It has been realized by a number of holy saints that through the Lord's desire this great yogi Gopalanand Swami makes his presence indirectly felt in the Holy Fellowship at every moment even today !
miracle statue of Lord Hanuman gives blessings to devotees who put coconut in his mouth:-

devotees at Lord Hanuman temple in Gujarat after offering their prayers got blessings in unique way from the statue itself. The miracle that surprised devotees was that the entire coconut which was offered directly into the mouth of Lord Hanuman’s statue was cut into two equal halves and in return the other half was himself offered by the statue's hand for devotees to collect. The famous Hanuman temple saw thousands of devotees made a beeline to see the Lord and be blessed.

Seeing this devotees were surprised, the Temple management team unveiled the truth behind the whole matter.

It has been observed that the act of breaking a coconut before any Hindu ritual or before starting any auspicious deed is almost followed by all states across India as an offering to God.

However, the coconut breaking adversely affects cleanliness in temples and lot of labour is deployed to clean the temple at the end of the day.

To put an end to the day-to- day hassle, the Temple management team came up with a very innovative idea. They installed a coconut breaking machine and fixed it into a Hanuman statue erected outside the temple. So, whenever devotees insert the coconut in the mouth of Hanuman, the machine inside broke it into two halves.

That surprising phenomenon was enough to attract hundreds and thousand of devotees from the town and the neighboring villages. Devotees were heard talking about it as a miracle of temple team who took an initiative to keep temple clean and sets an excellent example for other temples to follow.

Sarangpur Hanuman Temple Darshan:-

The summer months are too hot, so the favourable time to visit the temple is during the winter months as the winter is not very cold. The darshan hours are from 7.00 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 8 pm. Strong faith on Sri Hanuman solves many problems of the devotees and thousands of pilgrims visit Sarangpur Temple to overcome their problems and traumas.
Hanumanji is the active god of the Kaliyug. He can be pleased easily and fulfills the desires of his devotees instantly. www.sarangpurhanuman.com is the official website of the temple. Live darshan can be availed online through this site. Some devotional websites also offer live darshan of the temple and the idol. Tuesdays are special, auspicious days in one and all the temples of Sri Hanuman. Special aarti and rituals are performed on this day. The Indians firmly believe the propitious Tuesdays of the Hanuman Darshan. Thousands wait in a line in the overcrowded temple for live darshan.
Live darshan of the favourable deity brings peace in the minds of devotees. They feel rejuvenated to face the traumas of everyday life. Such is the power of live darshan of Sarangpur Hanumanji that the devotees can go through many hurdles and discomfort for the miraculous darshan.
Devotees who like to visit the temple leisurely for a better darshan should avoid Tuesdays to visit the temple.

Rituals performed:-

Mangla Aarti ( Morning )5:30
Bal Bhog ( Darshan Closed ) ( Morning )6:30 TO 7:30
Shangar Aarti ( Only on Saturdays and Tuesdays ( Morning )7:00
Rajbhog – Thal ( Darshan Closed ) ( Morning )10:30 to 11:00
Darshan Closed ( Noon )12:00 to 3:15
Sandhya ( Evening ) Aarti ( Evening )On Sunset Evening Timings
Thal ( Darshan Closed )Till 30 minutes to post evening Aarti
Shayan ( Darshan Closed ) ( Night )9:00 TO ( Morning ) 5:30

The deity:-

Hanuman is in the form of Kastbhajan

Temple Timings:-

Shri Hanuman Mandir timings 5.30 to 9.00.

Festivals celebrated at the Sarangpur Hanuman Temple:-

Hanuman Jayanti Mahotsav:-

 Hanumath Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman, the Vanara god, widely venerated throughout India. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and spirit among the devotees of Lord Hanuman. Devotees from all over the country visit the temple to offer the prayers and to perform the rituals. The devotees visit temples and apply tilaka of sindoor to their foreheads from Hanuman’s idol as Hanuman. The event is celebrated on the 15th day of the Shukla Paksha, during the month of Chaitra

Sundar Kand:-

 Sundar Kand is celebrated in the month of October or November. It is a book that depicts the adventures of Hanuman. Sundara Kanda is the only chapter of the Ramayana in which the hero is not Rama, but rather Hanuman. This lesson is recited by religious Hindus, preferably on Tuesdays or Saturdays, these days having been earmarked for special prayers to Hanuman.
Holi:-

 Holi is a two-day festival which starts on the Purnima. The first day is known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi while the second day is known as Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi or Dhulivandan. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter. it is also identified as a festival that celebrated agriculture, commemorated good spring harvests, and the fertile land.Devotees arrive at the temple to celebrate this festival of colors.

Nearby Temples:-

Shiv Shakti Temple:-

 This temple is situated at Abhapur where the principal deity of worship is Lord Shiva. There are images of Surya Dev and his consort Suryani in the temple and hence, this temple is also known as the Sun Temple. The temple situated on a low height hillock is an excellent example of Nagar shaily. This Sun Temple is unique with it a statue of Lord Shiva, which showing different moods on the face as per your elevation of viewing, this is “Chaturangi” type temple.

Shree Jagannath Temple:-

 The Jagannath Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu God Jagannath. The annual chariot festival, the Rath Yatra, which is the second most important after the Ratha Yatra at Puri. The rath yatra entourage passes through different parts of the city of Ahmedabad covering a distance of about 14-km.

Bhadrakali Maa Temple:-

 Bhadrakali Maa Temple is known as one of the oldest and ancient temple in Located inside Bhadra Fort, Near Lal Darwaja, in the Ahmedabad city, Gujarat. Bhadrakali Temple was built during the ruler of Mega city Ahmedabad namely Aazam Khan. The Bhadra fort once encompassed Approximately 12 gates, 189 bastions, and 6000 battlements.

Ayodhyapuram Jain Temple:-

 The temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Rishabh Dev, the first Jain Tirthankara. Shri Ayodhyapuram Teerth located at Gujarat is a Jain pilgrimage centre.  The teerth kshetra was built under the inspiration of Panyas Pravar Spiritual Head Sri Abhaysagarji Maharaj Saheb.  A large stone weighing about 300 tonnes was brought from a mine about 70 kms away from Jaipur to this place. The idol of the Lord was carved here. The Swetambara temple has been magnificently decorated with intricate artistic designs. The creative temple work boasts about the skills of the craftsmen. The walls and pillars of the temple are adorned with specimens of ancient art. The idol has been beautifully carved from a single stone.

ISKCON Temple:-

 The ISKCON Temple in Ahmedabad is located close to the Gujarat Samachar Press. This temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort Radha. The ISKCON Temple in Ahmedabad offers the perfect spot for mediation. The temple with its calm and peaceful atmosphere offers the perfect spot to spend some quiet time with oneself. The temple hosts festivals such as Janmastami which is the birthday of Lord Krishna and is attended by a large number of people from across the state.

Shri Bhimnath Temple:-

 The Bhimnath Mahadev temple is located in Akot. According to the well-known archaeologist V H Sonawane, the period of the city’s founding can be traced from the pavement stones used at this temple which bear the mason marks dating back to the 2nd century BC. It was the spot where the first human settlement came up along the Vishwamitri River, which is almost 2,200 years ago.

Nearest Visiting places:-

Children's Park:-

 This is a good picnic spot for families, children and the youth. There is a lake and you may avail the boating facility provided. There is a mini train also which children may find very amusing.

SaritaUdyan:-

 Akin to the Children`s park the Sarita Udyan as the name suggests is a park and is a prominent picnic spot. The recreational facilities available here are one of a kind and is a must visit.

Deer Park:-

 Adjacent to the Sarita Udyan is the deer park. It serves as a perfect refuge for those seeking some calm and peace away from the din of the city. It’s not merely for the young but you can see older people visiting the place as well.

Craftsmen's Village:-

 The highly advanced capital city, Gandhinagar also has a distinct place which is dedicated to the art of Bandhani prints .The village is situated about 7 km form the capital city. It is popular not merely for the prints but also wooden blocks carved with exquisite designs on hand printed cloth. Those of you who wish to purchase some ethnic bandhani printed fabric must visit the   place as you get them at very reasonable prices.

Adlaj:-

 This spot is known to be famous for its step-well Called AdlajVav and during the ancient times this location was known as Dandi Desh, the spot pulls in tourist from far and near.

Koba Teerth:-

 During the year 1980 this holy shrine of Koba Teerth was built in memory of His Holiness Acharyashri Kailas Sagarsuriji Maharaj Saheb. The greatest wonder of this shrine is that, every year during the month May dated 22nd, the ray of the rising sun will pass through to the pinnacle and shine on the forehead of the idol of Bhagwan Mahavir Swami, this idol is beautifully placed in the shrine in the position of Padmasana and white in colour which enhances divinity to the pilgrims and visitors. This wonder temple of Jain pilgrim center is situated on the way between Gandhinagar and Ahemdabad and on the banks of the River Sabarmati.

Akshardham:-

 Akshardham is a unique cultural complex built in Gandhinagar in memory of Lord Swaminarayan. Inspired by H. D. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Akshardham is a miracle worked by the service and devotion of thousands of volunteers. It is an intricately carved, majestic monument of 6000 tons of pink sand stone. The entire monument was built without the use of steel. Besides a 7 feet gold leafed idol of Lord Swaminarayan and his holy relics, there are three exhibitions on Indian Culture with light and sound shows, a multimedia show and an animatronic show. Games, rides and food refreshments are other attractions of Akshardham.

Hussain-Doshi's Gufa:-

 Hussain-Doshi's Gufa It is a gallery housing the collaborative efforts of artist M. F. Hussain and the architect B. V. Doshi. Here, art and architecture fuse to become a unique experience, both complementing each other magnificently.Located in the campus of the Centre for Environment Planning and Technology, the Gufa is a configuration of cave-like structures buried under the ground. This marvel of contemporary architecture was constructed using computer aided design and tribal initiative.

Sayaji Bagh:-

 Sayaji Baug (the famous park) is situated on river Vishwamitri and was built by Sayajirao III in 1879. Sprawling over 113 acres, it also includes an excellent zoo, the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, the Museum of Health and Hygiene and the Sardar Patel Planetarium.A major attraction for children is the 3.5 kms joy ride through the park on the toy train.

Fateh Singh Museum:-

 Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum houses a remarkably huge number of art works of the royal family. Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III during his several visits abroad collected pieces of art and stored them here. The most fascinating collection of this museum however comprises of host of paintings by European and Indian artists. In this collection, paintings of Raja Ravi Varma who was specially deployed by the then Maharaja of Baroda catches the limelight. His collections essentially comprises of the portraits of the Royal family and paintings based on Hindu mythology. Hindu mythology was the forte of Raja Ravi Varma.
 This apart, at Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum in Vadodara you will also get to see the striking collection of sculptures in marble and bronze. This collection comprises of the representation of great masters in bronze specially made to order by the Maharaja and also originals by famous artists. Besides, you will also come across works of an Italian artist called Fellicci who not only decorated the museum with his fine works but also the Lakshmi Vilas Palace.

How to reach:-

By Air:the Ahmedabad city distance is 156 km.
By Rail:The Bhavnagar city Railway station is 75 km.
By Road:The Dhandhuka taluka (50 km) is well linked with all foremost towns and cities by road. Well-known bus stops are situated at Sarangpur