Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Hanuman Jayanti will be celebrated on April 12, and the city is home to 212 Hanuman temples far more than the 25 dedicated to Lord Ram. Many of these temples have quirky names and unique backstories that draw local devotees.
Most temples, few names
Out of the 212, around 95 Hanuman temples don’t have official names. The city has 25 active (jagrut) temples, 24 south-facing ones, 14 Sankatmochan temples, and five each under the names Pavanputra and Maharudra.
From Jabare to Kanfate
Temples like Jabare Hanuman (Jadhavmandi), Langotiya Hanuman (Kasari Bazar), Kanfate Hanuman (Nagosnagar), Chapatedan Hanuman (Pisadevi), and Supari Hanuman (Gulmandi) have become iconic for their unusual names, each with its own story.As per temple trustees, 175 years ago, temple priest Thakurdas Baba dreamt that the idols were lying in a well in the Jinsi area. Upon retrieval, they were ceremonially installed in the Balaji Temple, where they remain to this day.
Gangadhan Hanuman—The Only Seated Idol
In Nawabpura, a 7-foot seated idol known as 'Gangadhan Hanuman' was installed 52 years ago by Narayansingh Holiye and named after his parents, Ganga Bai and Dhaniramsingh. The idol, covered in vermillion and adorned with 15 kg of silver ornaments, is the only seated Hanuman in the city. The ornaments will be displayed during early morning rituals, said Jay Singh Holiye.
Captions
1. The ‘Gangadhan’ Hanuman idol in Nawabpura, along with its silver ornaments. (Photo: Prashant Telwadkar)
2. The ‘Ganpati-Hanuman’ idols at Rajabazar.