Mehandipur Balaji Temple History: The Story Behind the Famous Dham

Mehandipur Balaji is one of the most famous Hanuman temples in India. It sits in a narrow valley between two hills of the Aravalli range, in the Dausa district of Rajasthan. That is why the village is called Ghata Mehandipur: a "ghata" is a pass between hills.

How the temple began

According to temple tradition, no sculptor made the idol of Balaji. Devotees believe it appeared on its own from the rock of the hill, many centuries ago. Popular accounts say this happened around 1,000 years ago.

The story goes that this whole area was once thick forest. The ancestors of the temple's Mahant (head priest) worshipped Balaji here. One night the Mahant had a dream. Balaji appeared with two other deities, Shri Pretraj Sarkar and Shri Bhairav Baba, and asked him to begin their seva. The worship that began then has carried on ever since.

A dham known for healing

Over time, Mehandipur Balaji became known as a place where people find relief from troubles of the mind and spirit. Families come from across India to pray for loved ones going through hard times. In 2013, a team of scientists and psychiatrists from Germany, the Netherlands, AIIMS and Delhi University even began studying the temple's healing rituals.

The temple today

Today a trust runs the temple. It also works in education and health, and helps poor families. Tuesdays and Saturdays, Balaji's special days, bring the biggest crowds.

Planning your yatra? Anjani Mahal is just 2 minutes from the temple, with clean rooms, pure veg food and free parking for devotees.