Bal Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place region of Delhi is also known as Prachin Hanuman Mandir as this temple is very old. Located at the Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi near Jantar Mandir is one of the oldest Hanuman temples of India and dating back to the era of the Pandavas.The Hanuman idol in the temple is swayambhu (self manifest) and represents the Bala Hanuman that is the Hanuman in young age and is devotionally worshiped as “Sri Hanumanji Maharaj” and faces the south direction. Here you will find that the Lord Hanuman rests his right hand over his chest for prayer and holds ‘Gada’ in the left hand.
Temple’s main hall comprises the huge and glorious Hanuman idol which is located in the north direction. Lord Krishna and Radha images with central trio of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are present on the right side of the Hanuman idol. The temple is 108 ft tall. The New Delhi Municipal Corporation has added idols of Shiva, Parvati and their children, Durga, Lakshmi, Narayana, Ganesha and Santoshi Mata in the adjoining rooms.
Facts of the Temple:
• It is believed that Pandavas built five temples including the Hanuman Temple after they won the Kurukshetra war against the Kauravs. At that time Tulsidas visited this temple but was summoned by Mughal Emperor and asked to show a miracle. He performed the miracle with blessing of Lord Hanuman and Emperor presented crescent moon symbol to the temple. It is believed that Mughals did not destroyed this Hanuman Temple because of the crescent moon (Islamic symbol) in the spire(vimana) instead of ‘Aum’ or ‘sun’ symbol in other Hindu temples.
• Temple has been recorded in Guinness Book of world record for the 24 hour chanting of “Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram”, since August 1964. Since 1724 this temple has undergone restorations from time to time.
Besides all this you will find that ‘mehndi work’ done on the ladies hands outside the temple. Get lots of stalls selling kachori and aloo ki sabzi outside the temple. Evening flower market near the temple is also famous. Bangle sellers can also be seen outside the temple. Hanuman Jayanti is also celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and Lord Hanuman followers can be seen in orange clothes on the Baba Kharak Singh marg. Dwar is embossed with the depiction of the entire Ramayana. Ceiling of the main mandap of the temple sports paintings of scenes from Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas. The paintings look very realistic and provide a quick recall of the incidents. Just below the paintings, verses from the Sunderkand from Ramcharitmanas are engraved in marble. The temple has undergone several times.
Location:
Temple is located on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi.
