- Special Features
Foundation Year1754 ADSthala TreeTheerthamRathamArchitectureOther Speciality
- Sthala Puran
Salasar Balaji is a religious place for the devotees of Lord Hanuman. The temple of Balaji, founded by a farmer is situated in the middle of Salasar and attracts innumerable worshippers throughout the year. Initially, a small construction, the temple of Salasar Balaji is now considered to be a Shakti Sthal (a shrine) and Swayambhu (self-creation) by faith, belief, miracles, and wish fulfilments of the devotees.
History claims the site was discovered by a Jat farmer of Asota village in Nagaur district of Rajasthan in samvat 1811 (1754 AD). The farmer hit an item in the ground while plowing his field and discovered it to be an idol covered with sand. His wife arrived and cleaned it the idol with her saree before determining it to be of Lord Hanuman, also known as Balaji in northern parts of India. The news of the appearance of Balaji soon spread in the Asota village and reached the Thakur of Asota. That night Balaji appeared in Thakur's dream and ordered him to send the idol to Salasar in the Churu district. The same night a devotee of Lord Hanuman, Mohandas ji Maharaj of Salasar saw Lord Hanuman or Balaji in his dream too. Balaji told him about the idol of Asota. He immediately sent a message to the Thakur of Asota. The thakur was surprised to discover that Mohandas ji knew even minor details without coming to Asota. The idol was sent to Salasar and was consecrated at the place presently known as Salasar Dham.
- Architecture
The temple was constructed in 1754 AD. Inspired by a strange dream in which Balaji featured, the founder of the temple, Mohandas ji Maharaj, constructed a mud and stone temple initially with the help of craftsmen Noora and Dau of Fatehpur Shekhawati. The place was later developed into a concrete temple with the help of the successor of Sikar Jagirdar Rao Devi Singh who contributed to the construction of the temple as he was once saved from the loot by Dungji-Jawaharji by the blessings of Balaji.
The temple was constructed over a period of about two years using bricks, stones, cement, lime mortar, and white marble. While white marble is used extensively throughout, the entire circulatory path, the Sabha Mandap (prayer hall) and the Sanctum Sanctorum are covered with artistic works of gold and silver. The vestibule, the doors and the utensils used in worshipping are made of silver. The main gate is made up of carving works of white marble. The temple shrine and the sanctum sanctorum are decorated with floral patterns and other kinds of mosaic works done in gold and silver.
- Alankar of Deity
Of the idols of Lord Hanuman found in India, that at Salasar Balaji is unique because it has a round face with mustache and beard.
- Prayers and BenefitsSpecial Vratas and PrayersOfferings to Deity
Of many rituals and traditions performed at the temple, the most widely followed is the tying of coconuts with moli (sacred red threads) in the temple premises by a large number of devotees. It is widely believed that such practice helps them to fulfill their wishes if done with sincere faith.
The other widely followed practice is the offering of food (weighing up to 50 kg) by the devotees to their deity, referred to as Savamani. The term "Savamani" is derived from the word "Sava" meaning one and a quarter in Hindi and the word "Mun" or "Maund", a mass unit weighing about 40 kg; thus adding the total up to 50 kg. Though the food is mostly prepared by the cooks of the temple kitchens.
Stotras and Mantras
- FestivalsSri Hanuman JayantiHuge number of devotees come at Salasar Balaji Dham on Sri Hanuman Jayanti from every part of the country.Ashwin Shukla Chaturdashi & PurnimaLacs of devotees used to come in the balaji fair also
- Sodasha Upcharas
It is believed that drinking water of the wells of the Salasar is due to the blessings of the Balaji.
- Prasadhas
- Social ActivitiesAnnadhanMarriageEar BoringHead ShaveDanaasEducation FacilitiesSocial DrivesOther Activities
- Arjita Seva