Supari Hanuman Temple

Gulmandi, Tilak Path, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Taluka and District Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Supari Hanuman, which was originally in the form of a betel nut (supari) but later grew to a height of three and a half feet due to layers of vermilion (shendur) applied over time, is a revered deity for thousands of devotees in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad). This ancient temple of Supari Hanuman is situated in the heart of the city, in the Gulmandi area. As the guardian deity of the city, this Hanuman is believed to fulfill the vows of his devotees, who flock here for his blessings. It is said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had sought the blessings of Supari Hanuman while on his way to Agra. A unique feature of this temple is the twenty-four idols of Hanuman in various expressions adorning all four sides of the temple spire (shikhara).

Legend has it that about four hundred years ago, a large market for betel nuts used to be held in the Gulmandi area. The betel nuts from here were exported to various parts of the country. The ancestors of the priest family, who currently hold the right to perform worship at this temple, were blessed with a vision of Maruti in the form of a betel nut during that period. They tied that betel nut to the trunk of a Peepal tree in Gulmandi and began worshipping it. Over time, a small temple was built here. As layers of vermilion were applied to this betel nut, the idol grew to its current height of about three and a half feet. During that era, the Nizam government used to provide one anna for the temple’s lighting expenses. The original teak wood structure of the temple eventually became dilapidated. The temple attained its current form after a renovation in the year two thousand and one. A team of twenty-seven artisans from Andhra Pradesh constructed this new temple. Because the self-manifested (swayambhu) idol was found in the form of a betel nut, this Hanuman is called Supari Hanuman. It is also said that in the past, devotees were given a betel nut as prasad after worship, which may be another reason for the name.

The architectural style of this temple, located in the central part of the city, is South Indian. On the temple spire, there are twenty-four idols of Hanuman in various moods on all four sides. These include Hanuman in a seated posture, a meditative posture, carrying Shri Ram and Lakshman on his shoulders, flying through the sky with the Dronagiri mountain, and various forms of three-faced and five-faced Hanuman. There are five idols on the eastern entrance, seven on the south, two on the west, and ten on the north side. On the front of the spire is the Ram Panchayatana, while the Shiva Panchayatana is at the back. Pictures of Hanuman are displayed on the walls of the temple facade. The wooden entrance of the temple features attractive carvings, with elephants carved above both doors. The interior of the assembly hall (sabhamandap) is made of marble, and the ceiling also features intricate craftsmanship. In the middle of the assembly hall and the sanctum sanctorum, there are silver footprints (padukas) placed on a pedestal near the donation box. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha on the lintel of the sanctum door. Inside the sanctum, there is a large, vermilion-smeared, east-facing idol of Hanuman on a raised platform. The sandalwood paste (gandha) on the forehead, the nose, and the eyes of the idol are made of silver. Behind the idol, in the upper section, is an image of Hanuman standing with folded hands before Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Sita.

Known for fulfilling the wishes and vows of devotees, Supari Hanuman attracts large crowds of worshippers every day. Whether it is a student heading for an examination or an employee going to work in the morning, everyone passing through this area stops to seek the blessings of Hanuman. Local shopkeepers also open their shops only after offering prayers to this deity. Hundreds of devotees visit on Saturdays. The Hanuman Jayanti festival is celebrated here with great enthusiasm. During this seven-day festival, religious programs such as the grand worship (maha-puja), Laghurudra Abhishek, and Maha-Aarti are conducted. During this time, the temple is crowded with devotees from dawn until midnight. Programs like Sundarkand, Hanuman Chalisa recitation, and devotional discourses (kirtan) are held. The temple and its surroundings are beautifully illuminated during this period. It is said that Lokmanya Tilak, Swatantryaveer Savarkar, and Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray had also visited this temple to seek the blessings of Supari Hanuman.

Apart from the Supari Hanuman Temple, the Jabre Hanuman Temple in the nearby Rajabazar area is also famous. The idol in this temple is about two hundred and fifty years old. Near Paithan Gate, in the Nagosanagar area, the Nizam-era Kanphate Dakshinmukhi Hanuman Temple is well-known. It is said that Jwalanath Baba built this temple about three hundred years ago. One of his ears was torn, and the temple was named Kanphate Hanuman Temple after him. Additionally, the Bhadra Maruti temple in Khultabad taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district is also a famous pilgrimage site in the district.

Useful Information:

• Four kilometers from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Railway Station
• City transport services are available from the railway station and bus stand to reach here
• Private vehicles must be parked at a distance
• Many options for accommodation and breakfast in the area
• Bus and rail services available from many districts of the state
• Contact: Yogesh Pujari, Mobile: 9823033834