Arawali
hills. Now people suffering from malignant
spirits and black magic or spell get their relief
when they make an appeal for relief to Shri
Bhairav ji and Shri Pret Raj Sarkar who holds his
court and awards punishment to the malignant
spirits, ghosts, goblins, ghouls, evil eyed witches
etc.Shrine of Balaji, Court of Pret Raja, Pooja
griha, Bhairav ji temple and Ram Darbar are
some of the spots worth seeing here.
Religious ritualistic performances, charity,
feeding the poor, homeless and incapacitated
people, water supply for all and fodder for cows
and stray animals are the activities of this
temple.
Balaji temple at Mehandipur in Rajasthan is very
Powerful place. It is believed that the deity in
this temple has divine power to cure a person
possessed with evil spirit.Hundreds of
'Sankatwalas', as the possessed people are
refereed to in local lingo, throng to the temple
everyday to offer prayers and have 'darshan'.
The temple has also become a home and the
last respite for the victims.The 'Mahant' of the
temple, Shri Kishor Puri Ji, prescribes the
treatment. It can include reading holy texts,
following a strict vegetarian and simple diet, and
even afflicts physical pain to one's body.
One can witness people going through various
physical therapies like keeping heavy stones on
their body , on arms, legs and chest , to ease
their pain. There are others who inhale the
smoke that fumes out of the sweet Patasa's
kept on smoldering cowpats. The ones with
serious case of spirit possession, who tends to
get violent, are even shackled in chains within
the temple premises.
This may appear a bit anachronistic at the first
glance, but thousands of people are believed to
have been cured in this way. Festival time (Holi,
Hanuman Jayanti and Dusshera etc) are
regarded as the most auspicious time to
emancipate from the evil spirit
Medical science may discard such approach to
the ailment as self-deceptions based on blind
faith, but for the believers, the power of Balaji
is something supernatural, something beyond
metaphysics.
Places of Interest
Nilkanth Mahadev Temple - A large stone Linga,
was also found whose top only is visible above
the ground. It originally belonged to a Shiv
Temple on the summit of the hill and a temple
of Nilkanth Mahadev now occupies the site. The
Temple is situated on the Aravali mountain
range is at the centre of Dausa district. The
temple is situated at the top of a hill. The
temple is said to be 100-200 years old. Rajput
kings used to have security arrangements
adjacent to the temple. Cannons are still seen
on the temple complex. Another interesting
aspect linked to faith held by the devotees is the
tiny stone structures bearing the semblance of
houses at the sidewalks on the way to temple.
These are built by pilgrims on their way to the
shrine believing that this would fulfill their
wishes of having a house of their own.
Mataji Ka Mandir - Another group of finely
carved sculptures dating back to12th century AD
that are worshipped are built in the front wall of
a modern temple (built in 1965) known as Mataji
ka Mandir etc. On the way to the Bawdi is the
Harshd Mata Temple. It is dedicated to a
goddess. It was built by King Chand or Chandra
of Nikumbha Rajputs of Chahamana Dynasty
who was ruling at Abaneri or ancient Abha-
Nagari (City) during 8th - 9th century A.D. Facing
East, this temple is raised over double terraced
platform. Originally hails the super structure of
the Mahameru Style. The Sanctum is
Pancharatha on plan and consists of Sandhara
Garbhagriha, pillared Mandapa, crowned by a
domical ceiling. Each niche of the buttress of
Garbagriha has beautiful Brahmanical deities.
Sculptures curved in deep relief fixed in the
niches around the plinth of the upper terrace
are the main attraction of this temple.
Pratap Vatika - A few kilometres away from
Dausa lay Vair. This is where the historic Pratap
Vatika spreads itself. The once-lively fort-palace
complex is now in ruins, and this makes an ideal
location for a quiet picnic. The Pratap Mahal
with its rounded roofs and small pillared
balconies is very much in keeping with Rajput
architecture. Within the complex is a small
temple - Mohanji ka Mandir - made of red
sandstone. Mohan is another name for Krishna,
the dark and mischievous Hindu god with a
flute. The arches and pillars of the temple,
badly damaged, add to the romantic ambience
greatly. The Lal Mahal topped by chhatris
(cenotaphs) has a beautiful kund (tank) adjoining
it. There are people inhabiting a part of the
mahal, so the entire complex is not desolate. If
not anything else, you might bump into their
cows and goats at least.
Kaila Devi Temple - Kaila Devi(Goddess) Temple
is situated on the banks of the Kalisil river in
Karauli district. The temple is dedicated to the
tutelary diety, goddess Kaila, of the erstwhile
princely rulers of the Karauli state.It is a marble
structure with a large courtyard of a checkered
floor.In one place are a number of red flags
planted by devotees.The place is also famous for
its fair held during the dark half of
'chaitra'(March-April) and lasts for a fortnight.
Getting there and Around
By Air - The nearest airport is Sanganer, Jaipur
(113 kms)
By Rail - The Nearest Railway station is Bandikui
(40 kms)
By Road - Mehandipur Balaji is well connected
to All major cities of North India .There is very
frequent service of buses on Agra Jaipur
highway. The journey can be performed by car
from delhi either via Alwar-Mahwa or mathura-
Bharatpur-mahwa.
Accomodation
Dausa has few good hotels of quality services
like the Hotel Madhuban.There are many budget
hotels too. There is a Dharamshala around the
temple too that provides accommodation at very
nominal charges.
Things to Remember
The disciples and Sankawalasare advised to
contact Enquiry office for information required.
During the festive season & Mela please
maintain discipline,wait patiently and coordinate
with trust authorities.
Please Treat Sankatwalas humbly.
Bath, bear fresh clothes, be in queue & chant
Jai shri Balaji-2 while for Darshan.
Leave the children at home/dharmshala/hotel
as they may urinate etc in temple area and
make place untidy. Lying/playing is not allowed
in temple premises.
The people are not allowed to enter in girbh
grigh area of temple. Offerings/prasadam
should be handed over to pujariji.
For offerings 'sawamani', 'Bhandara', 'Bhramin
Bhojan', 'Hawan', 'chola to Deity' , etc please
contact Trust office in temple premises.
Disciples are intimated that entry in inhabited
state or after smoking is totally banned.
Ladies, insane and evil spirited person must be
accompanied by a attendant.
Spiritual water after arti of Lord shri Balaji shall
be obtained with discipline and calm.
Taking photograph of deities and Sankatwalas is
prohibited.
Insane and evil spirited person are cured by
blessings of lord shri balaji.The attendant must
take the help of representative of trust for cure/
relief of sankat. The disciples are advised not to
contact Sadhus,Sanyasies and fakirs etc for this
purpose.
No trusty/self worker is supposed to take any
favour from the devotees.
If any person faces harassment from any
employee or self worker of trust.Please lodge a
complain in office of sri balaji trust.
Beware of Pickpockets around the temple.As far
as possible carry minimum cash and
jewellery .Keep your precious belongings like
Mobile phones, Gold jewellery at hotel room
itself while going for Darshanas.
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