Salasar Balaji Temple

Getting there

• By road

  Salasar lies on National Highway 65 near Sujangarh, and on the Jaipur-Bikaner highway.

Why devotees come here

Salasar Balaji Temple stands in the town of Salasar, near Sujangarh in Churu district, Rajasthan. It is a significant place of worship for devotees of Hanuman, who is worshipped here as Balaji. Devotees consider its idol Swayambhu, or self-created.

Devotees consider the idol Swayambhu, or self-created, and the temple a Shakti Sthal, a shrine. Devotees visit through the year, not only at the fairs. The legend says a Ginthala Jat farmer of Asota village in Nagaur was ploughing his field when the plough struck a stone. Digging revealed an idol of Balaji. His wife had made churma of bajra for his lunch, and the farmer offered it to Balaji.

Offering churma to Balaji has been a ritual since then. Legend also says Hanuman appeared in a dream to a landlord and asked for the idol to be installed in Salasar. The first temple was built by Mohandas Maharaj as a mud-stone structure, with the help of the craftsmen Noora and Dau. A news report says Mohandas, a devotee of Hanuman, performed long worship and penance. It says Hanuman appeared to him with a beard and moustache, and the idol is shown that way too.

The popular account dates the discovery to Shravana Shukla, Navami Samvat 1754 (1754 AD). The present temple took two years to complete. The entire structure is covered in white marble, and the sanctum, the sabha mandap and the circumambulatory path are decorated with gold and silver mosaic work.

Festivals

• March to April, in ChaitraChaitra Purnima fair

  One of two big fairs held each year, when the temple is especially crowded.

• September to October, in AshwinAshvin Purnima fair

  The second big fair of the year, and also very crowded.

Tips for your visit

• Devotees tie coconuts on the temple premises with red moli thread.
• Salasar is part of a pilgrim circuit that also includes the Jeen Mata, Rani Sati and Khatushyamji temples.

Questions people ask