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{{Tone|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{short description|Hindu temple in Rajasthan, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Salasar Balaji
| image = Salasar balaji 02.jpg
| alt = Idol of Balaji in Salasar Balaji temple
| caption = Idol of Balaji in Salasar Balaji temple
| map_type = India Rajasthan
| map_caption = Location of Salasar Balaji temple in [[Rajasthan]]
| coordinates = {{coord|27.72|74.71|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Rajasthan]]
| district = [[Churu District|Churu]]
| locale = [[Salasar Balaji]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Hanuman]]
| festivals=
| architecture =
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = 9th day the bright half of [[Shraavana]] in the [[Vikrama Samvat|samvat]] 1811 (1754 AD)}}

'''Salasar Balaji ''' or '''Salasar Dham ''' in India is a place of religious importance for the devotees of Lord [[Hanuman]]. It is located in the town of [[Salasar]], on [[National Highway 58]] near [[Sujangarh]] in [[Churu district]], [[Rajasthan]]. The temple of Balaji, founded by a farmer is situated in the middle of Salasar and attracts innumerable worshippers throughout the year. On [[Chaitra]] [[Full Moon|Purnima]] and [[Ashvin]] Purnima, large fairs are organized that attract devotees as they pay homage to the deity.

Salasar Balaji is in the religious circuit that includes the pilgrim centers of [[Rani Sati Temple]], [[Jeen Mata]] and [[Khatushyamji]], which are located close to it. Initially a small construction, the temple of Salasar Balaji is now considered to be a [[Shakti Peeth|Shakti Sthal]] (a [[shrine]]) and [[Swayambhu]] (self-creation) by faith, belief, miracles and wish fulfilments of the devotees.

==Legend==
History claims the site was discovered by a [[Jat]] farmer of Asota village in [[Nagaur]] district of Rajasthan in [[Vikrama Samvat|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 (not to be confused with Lord Vishnu worshipped as Balaji in southern 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.<ref name=Balaji>{{cite web|title=About Salasar Balaji|url=http://balajikidhani.com/about-salasar-balaji.html|access-date=9 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419011454/http://balajikidhani.com/about-salasar-balaji.html|archive-date=19 April 2012}}</ref>

==Temple==

===Deity===
The principal deity of the temple is Lord Hanuman who receives veneration along with other deities. 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. It is believed that drinking water of the wells of the Salasar is due to the blessings of the Balaji.<ref name=Devasthan />

===Construction===
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, Rajasthan|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. Later, inspired by Mohandas' devotion towards Balaji, his descendants Kaniram and Ishwardas developed and renovated the temple which took the present form of a large temple complex. A patta of the land was made in the name of Balaji in the presence of Shobhasar Thakur Dhiraj Singh, Salasar Thakur Salim Singh and elders of Tetarwal Jats.<ref name=Devasthan>{{cite web|title=Salasar Balaji Temple Profile|url=http://www.devasthan.rajasthan.gov.in/images/Churu/hanumanji.htm|access-date=6 March 2012}}</ref>

===Architecture===
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.<ref name=Devasthan />

===Administration===
While the worship of the deity is managed by the [[Brahmins]] priests from the [[Dadheech Brahmins|Dadhich]] clan who are descendants of Mohandas ji's sister, the temple is managed and maintained by the trust Hanuman Sewa Samiti. They also look after the management of the fairs, social works, public and private facilities such as the maintenance of road, water supply, charitable hospitals, in the village. Over the years, there have been many [[Dharamshalas]] and restaurants constructed here to stay and eat comfortably.<ref name=Devasthan />

===Timings===
The temple is open to devotees from early morning 4:00 am till 10:00 pm in the night. However, the temple is not closed at all on some special occasions such as [[Hanuman Jayanti]].<ref name=Devasthan />

==Religious aspects==
Thousands of visitors choose to come on feet, while some on prostrated movement showing their intensity of devotion for Balaji.<ref name=Devasthan />

===Rituals===

====Coconut tying====
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 practice was originated by the [[Jagirdar]] of Sikar, Rao Raja Devi Singh. Devi Singh did not have a son. He heard about Balaji and came to this place and tied a coconut on a tree to fulfill his wish of having a son. He was later blessed with a handicapped son Rao Raja Laxman Singh after ten months. Thus the custom of tying coconuts to fulfill wishes continues at the temple from that time onwards.<ref name=HanumanChalisa>{{cite web|title=Temple of Salasar Balaji|url=http://www.hanumanchalisa.co.in/page/6|access-date=9 March 2012}}</ref>

====Savamani====
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 language|Hindi]] and the word "[[Mun (unit)|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, the process is now being outsourced to several independent shopkeepers & food-caterers due to the increasing number of offerings every day. Several delicacies like [[Dal]], [[Baati]], [[Churma]], [[Boondi]], [[Peda]] & [[Laddu]] is chosen for Savamani. The food after first being offered to the deity, is later used as part of family celebrations, distributed over to family and relatives or donated to the needy.<ref name=Devasthan />

===Activities===
Some of the regular activities of the temple include:<ref name=Devasthan />
*Regular worships of the deity
*Performing [[Aarti]] on fixed time slots
*Feasting of Brahmins and other mendicants
*Recitation of [[Ramayan]]
*Recitation of [[Kirtan]] & [[Bhajan]]s
*Arrangement for Savamanis
*Recitation of [[Sundar Kand]] on every Tuesday in a union by the singers.
*Arrangement of stay for the visitors

==Festivals and fairs==
*''Sri Hanuman Jayanti'' / ''[[Chaitra]] shukla [[Chaturdashi]] and [[Purnima (day)|Purnima]]''.<ref name=Balaji />
*''[[Ashvin]] Shukla Chaturdashi and Purnima''
*''[[Bhaadra]] Shukla Chaturdashi and Purnima''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.devasthan.rajasthan.gov.in/images/Churu/hanumanji.htm Temple Profile]
*[https://salasarbalaji.in Official Website]

[[Category:Hanuman temples]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Churu district]]
[[Category:Rajasthani culture]]

Salasar Balaji - Revision history

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