Mehandipur Balaji Temple – Rajasthan

Have you ever had a chance to encounter the power of the unknown or experience something which doesn’t fall under the category of ‘normal’? Have you ever felt intrigued and try to know more about the third kind? Would you be interested if I told you about a place where live exorcism is practiced?

If your answer is yes, let me introduce you to one of the most famous temples of our country, the Mehandipur Balaji temple.

Mehandipur Balaji, situated in the Dausa district of Rajasthan, is a Hindu temple which is dedicated to the deity of Lord Hanuman who is believed to be the protector capable of warding off evil spirits. What makes this temple unique is that this is the only place in our country where live exorcism and ritualistic healing takes place. Anyone visiting the place will witness a sea of people all possessed by evil spirits. The temple has different chambers where these people are chained and beaten by the pandits in order to tame the evil spirits.

Due to this unique practice of the temple, it attracts many pilgrims from Rajasthan and around the country. A person suffering from the evil spirits supposedly gets relief from distress by various methods such as arji, sawamani, darkhast, bhog of bundi ke laddoo offered to Lord Balaji and rice and urad dal to Bhairav baba. Tuesdays and Saturdays are the busiest days of the week in the temple because both of the days are dedicated to Hanumanji.

There are a certain set of rules which one has to oblige while visiting the temple in order to stay safe. The visitors are asked to throw offerings in form of the black-coloured balls in a ceremonial fire in front of the idol in one of the chambers and aren’t supposed to be eaten. The visitors cannot take back any prasad offered in the temple or look back while leaving the premises of the temple. Touching the possessed people is also strictly prohibited in order to stay safe and away from the evil.

Weak-hearted fellows are suggested to not visit the temple because the eerie atmosphere of the temple is enough to scare even the bravest of people, butt it is the perfect place to visit for those of you who find such experiences exciting and adventurous.