Mehandipur Balaji

श्री मेंहदीपुर बालाजी

Sri Mehandipur Balaji Temple is situated in Dausa,Rajasthan.Basically Shri Mehandipur BalajiTemple is Lord Hanuman Ji's Temple.Long ago the image of Lord Balaji and that of Pret Raja (the King of spirits) appeared from the Arawali hills. Now people suffering from malignant spirits and black magic or spell get their relief when they make an appeal for relief to Shri Bhairav ji and Shri Pret Raj Sarkar who holds his court and awards punishment to the malignant spirits, ghosts, goblins, ghouls, evil eyed witches etc.Shrine of Balaji, Court of Pret Raja, Pooja griha, Bhairav ji temple and Ram Darbar are some of the spots worth seeing here.

Mehandipur Temple Main Gate : Photo By Rajesh Mishra

राजस्थान के सवाई माधोपुर और जयपुर की सीमा रेखा पर स्थित मेंहदीपुर कस्बे में बालाजी का एक अतिप्रसिद्ध तथा प्रख्यात मन्दिर है जिसे श्री मेंहदीपुर बालाजी मन्दिर के नाम से जाना जाता है। भूत प्रेतादि ऊपरी बाधाओं के निवारणार्थ यहां आने वालों का तांता लगा रहता है। तंत्र मंत्रादि ऊपरी शक्तियों से ग्रसित व्यक्ति भी यहां पर बिना दवा और तंत्र मंत्र के स्वस्थ होकर लौटते हैं । सम्पूर्ण भारत से आने वाले लगभग एक हजार रोगी और उनके स्वजन यहां नित्य ही डेरा डाले रहते हैं ।

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.

Balaji temple at Mehandipur in Rajasthan is very Powerful place. It is believed 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.

This may appear a bit anachronistic at the first glance, but 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 emancipate 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.

Places of Interest

Nilkanth Mahadev Temple - 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. 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. Rajput kings used to have security arrangements adjacent to the temple. Cannons are still seen on the temple complex. Another interesting aspect linked to faith held by the devotees is the tiny stone structures bearing the semblance 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.

Pratap Vatika - A few kilometres away from Dausa lay Vair. This is where the historic Pratap Vatika spreads itself. The once-lively fort-palace complex is now in ruins, and this makes an ideal location for a quiet picnic. The Pratap Mahal with its rounded roofs and small pillared balconies is very much in keeping with Rajput architecture. Within the complex is a small temple - Mohanji ka Mandir - made of red sandstone. Mohan is another name for Krishna, the dark and mischievous Hindu god with a flute. The arches and pillars of the temple, badly damaged, add to the romantic ambience greatly. The Lal Mahal topped by chhatris (cenotaphs) has a beautiful kund (tank) adjoining it. There are people inhabiting a part of the mahal, so the entire complex is not desolate. If not anything else, you might bump into their cows and goats at least.
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 tutelary diety, 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.

Getting there and Around

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.

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

Mehandipur Temple By Rajesh Mishra

• 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.

Artical By Rajesh Mishra