Sarangpur

 

Sarangpur is a village in the Botad District in the state of Gujarat, India, and its name is also often pronounced, “Salangpur”. Sarangpur is very famous for the historic Shri Kashtabhanjan Hanumanji Temple and BAPS Swaminarayan Temple.

Shri Hanuman Mandir comes under the Vadtal Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It is the only Swaminarayan Temple which does not have the Murtis of either Swaminarayan or Krishna as the Primary deity of worship.  It is dedicated to Hanuman in the form of Kastbhanjan (Crusher of sorrows). This temple is among the more prominent ones in the Swaminarayan Sampraday. The idol of Hanuman was installed by Sadguru Gopalanand Swami. According to author Raymond Williams, it is reported that when Sadguru Gopalanand Swami installed the idol of Hanuman, he touched it with a rod and the idol came alive and moved. This story has become a charter for the healing ritual performed at this temple.

The idol 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.

The image of this temple is said to be so powerful that a mere look at it will drive the evil spirits out of the people affected by them. 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 Sadguru Gopalanand Swami during the installation ceremony of the image. This rod has now been covered in silver.

Sarangpur is also renowned for its BAPS Shri Swaminarayan shikharbaddha mandir, built in 1916 by Shastri Yagnapurushdas which is the second highest temple in Gujarat at exactly 108 feet (108 being an auspicious number within the Swaminarayan Sampraday). It is the headquarters and training hub for newly enrolled sadhus (monks).

Every year thousands of devotees gather at the temple to celebrate Holi – the festival of colours.

Source

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman_temple,_Salangpur

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salangpur,_Gujarat

http://girwildlife.com/sarangpur.php

http://www.baps.org/Vicharan/2015/19-December-2015-9095.aspx

 

 

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