Bhidbhanjan Hanuman mandir, sakariya

The story of Bhidbhanjan Hanuman mandir, sakariya

Bhidbhanjan Hanuman mandir, sakariya is the temple in front of you, and the strongest thing to notice is that it is built around a lying Hanuman image rather than the more usual standing form. A published page on a Bhidbhanjan Hanuman Temple at Harni says there is a statue of Hanumanji lying near Sakaria village near Modasa, and that a beautiful temple was built on an idol about 10 feet long. It also says many devotees from the surrounding areas come here to see that idol.

The same publication gives the temple’s legend: after the struggle with the demon Hiranyaksha, Hanuman began residing here in human form at Lord Ram’s command. It links the story to Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman flying over this region in the Pushpak Vimana on their return to Ayodhya, and to sages by the Vishwamitri River pleading for relief from Hiranyaksha’s tyranny. Another published page says Arjuna set up an idol here during the Pandavas’ stay in Gujarat and worshipped Hanuman Dada, whose image is made of five metals.

Hanuman is revered in Hinduism as a devoted companion of Lord Rama, so this temple fits a wider living tradition of worship and pilgrimage. Look for the reclining deity first; that is the feature people come for.