Sleeping Hanuman

Hanuman is one of the favorite Gods for Hindus, the world over. He is powerful, totally committed in his love or worship of Lord Rama, celibate and above all He is immortal as per scriptures. The moorthi of Hanuman is usually seen in temples in a standing posture with his palms folded together in prayer or with one hand carrying a mace and the other, a mountain. In some places, Hanuman is seen kneeling down in respect before Rama & Sita. But, a Sleeping Hanuman? Understand there are three places in India, where Hanuman is worshipped in a sleeping position and I had the fortune of visiting one of the three temples.

Located around five kilometers away from the famous Ellora Caves, is the small village of Khultabad, home to the Bhadra Maruti or Sleeping Hanuman. Legend has it that this place was called Bhadravati in the bygone days and ruled by a pious & noble king named Bhadrasena. The king used to sing hymns extolling the virtues of Rama on the banks of the Bhardrakund Talab. Hanuman, who was passing by was so mesmerized by the singing, that he stopped to hear it better. As he continued hearing, he eased Himself into a sleeping position and almost went into a trance. He offered a boon to Bhadrasena for singing the praises of Rama. The king requested Hanuman to stay there and bless his subjects. It is said, very soon, a moorthi of Hanuman is sleeping position was found nearby and installed in a temple. When was the original temple built is not known, but it is stated that it was destroyed by the Mughals, but the moorthi of the Sleeping Hanuman or Bhadra Maruti was kept safe by some devotees. The present temple has been built in the 1960s.

It was around 2 PM when we reached the temple and hence there were no big crowds. We were told that during Hanuman Jayanti & Rama Navami, crowds flock from nearby villages and even from Andhra Pradesh & Orissa and there could be serpentine queues for Bhadra Maruti’s darshan. No such problems for us. Passing the small shops and pavement stalls selling puja items, small artefacts, eatables, etc. we stepped inside the temple.

A large hall of white marble with a sanctum barricaded by railings but visible from all 4 sides through windows was in view. As I stepped closer to the open window/platform from where prayers are to offered to the deity, I could see Bhadra Maruti in a sleeping posture with a beatific smile on his persona. Ladies are not allowed near the open window/platform and have to pray from a little afar.

Having completed the darshan and armed with the blessings of Bhadra Maruti, we stepped out to buy the temple prasad viz. ladoo, before making our way to the car.

If you happen to be in Aurangabad or more specifically, the Ellora Caves, make sure you take a small detour to the Bhadra Maruti Temple to see a rare posture of Hanuman.