Shri Hanuman Mandir, Salangpur
| Shri Hanuman Mandir, Salangpur | |
|---|---|
 Shri Hanuman Mandir, Sarangpur | |
| Name | |
| Location | |
| Location: | Salangpur, Gujarat |
| Architecture and culture | |
| Primary deity: | Hanuman in the form of Kastbhanjan |
| History | |
| Creator: | Gopalanand Swami |
Shri Hanuman Mandir, Salangpur is a Hindu temple located in Salangpur, Gujarat and comes under the Vadtal Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday.[1] It is dedicated to Hanuman in the form of Kastbhanjan (Crusher of sorrows).[2] It is the only Swaminarayan temple to have Hanuman as a central deity. In other temples, the central deity is a human form with the shrine of Hanuman along with that of Ganpati at the entrance of the temple.[1]
History and description
This temple is among the more prominent ones in the Swaminarayan Sampraday. The image of Hanuman was installed by Mul Akshar Sadguru Gopalanand Swami. According to author Raymond Williams, it is reported that when Mul Akshar Sadguru 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.[1] 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.[2]
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.[3] Saturday is the designated day for a special ritual (as Saturday is dedicated to Hanuman) for those affected by mental illnesses and other disorders. They are brought to the temple to be touched by the rod used by Mul Akshar Sadguru Gopalanand Swami during the installation ceremony of the image. This rod has now been covered in silver. The temple administration has hired a brahmin householder to act as a priest at the temple and conduct this ritual. After this, the person affected is instructed to circumambulate the shrine and repeat this after doing darshan a number of times. Some people take a special vow to do this a certain number of times or to chant the Swaminarayan Mahamantra whiles doing this.[1]
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