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“संकट कटे मिटे सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥”
“All troubles vanish, and every pain is removed for the one who remembers the mighty Hanuman.”
When we think of Hanuman, we often imagine strength, devotion, and protection. But for millions of devotees, Hanuman is much more than a distant god. He is alive, listening, watching, and sometimes even eating with his devotees.
Across India, there are a few temples where people believe Hanuman does not just bless the prasad but actually eats it first. The stories are filled with devotion and mystery. Priests, pilgrims, and ordinary visitors speak of food that seems touched, lighter, or blessed in ways they cannot explain. For them, this is not just a ritual, it is proof that Hanuman is present and accepts their offering.
1. Where Hanuman sits with moustache and beard: Salasar Balaji, Rajasthan
Salasar Balaji in Churu district is one of the most visited Hanuman temples in India. The idol here is unique, with Hanuman shown in a seated posture with a moustache and beard, unlike his usual form. Devotees say that when
ladoos
and other sweets are offered, Hanuman accepts them in ways beyond human eyes. Some claim the prasad seems half eaten before it is given back to the devotees. Every year, especially during
Chaitra Purnima
and
Ashwin Purnima
, lakhs of devotees walk for miles to reach the temple, believing that Hanuman himself is waiting to bless and share their food.
2. Where the essence of offerings disappears: Mehandipur Balaji, Rajasthan
Mehandipur Balaji is famous not only as a Hanuman temple but also as a powerful place for healing and protection. Located in Dausa district, this temple is known for rituals where people come to seek freedom from negativity and unseen troubles. Here, the offering called
chola
is prepared with ghee, sindoor, and sweets. Devotees believe that Hanuman takes the essence of this offering before it is returned as prasad. Pilgrims often say the prasad feels lighter, as if it has been touched by the deity. This belief has been passed down for generations, making the temple a center of unshakable faith.
3. Where sorrows are lifted before prasad is shared: Salangpur Hanuman, Gujarat
In Salangpur, Hanuman is worshipped as
Kashtabhanjan Dev
, the remover of sorrows. The idol is striking, showing Hanuman subduing a demon, a powerful symbol of victory over fear and obstacles. When food is offered here, devotees believe Hanuman first accepts it in a subtle form. Priests explain that Hanuman purifies the offering by taking its divine essence, leaving the rest for devotees to eat as prasad. On Saturdays, the temple becomes a sea of faith, with thousands arriving to witness what they feel is a living bond between god and devotee.
4. Where Hanuman guards Rama’s city: Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya
Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, is also home to Hanuman Garhi, one of the most sacred shrines dedicated to Hanuman. It is believed that Hanuman guards the city of Ayodhya and resides in this temple. The offering of
ladoos
here holds special significance. Devotees say that after being offered, the prasad carries a different fragrance and taste, as though Hanuman himself has taken it first. Receiving this prasad is seen as sharing food that has already been blessed by the god, making it deeply personal and divine for those who visit.
5. Where monkeys carry Hanuman’s blessings: Jakhu Temple, Shimla
High above the busy streets of Shimla, on Jakhu Hill, stands a temple dedicated to Hanuman with one of the tallest statues of the deity in the world. Legend says Hanuman stopped here while carrying the Sanjeevani mountain during the Ramayana war. Devotees believe that Hanuman still accepts offerings at this temple, especially jaggery and ladoos. Interestingly, the monkeys around the temple are often seen taking the food, which locals interpret as Hanuman’s own way of accepting the offering. For pilgrims, this is not seen as loss but as a blessing, a reminder that Hanuman is close and still very real.
Where faith becomes food and devotion becomes proof
To someone hearing these tales for the first time, the idea of Hanuman eating the prasad may sound like folklore. But for devotees, it is a matter of faith, love, and connection. In Hindu tradition, offering food is never about feeding the gods. It is about surrender, about saying, “This is yours before it is mine.”
When devotees believe Hanuman accepts their offering, it strengthens their bond with him. It assures them that their prayers are heard, their love is received, and their faith is not in vain. Whether the proof comes through disappearing sweets, a lighter plate, or even a monkey carrying the food away, the meaning is the same: Hanuman is not distant, he is here.
These temples remind us that devotion is not always about what we see with our eyes. It is about what we feel in our hearts. The belief that Hanuman eats the prasad before the devotees is not about the food itself but about the deep connection between a god and his worshippers.
In these places, faith takes a simple sweet or offering and turns it into a divine moment. The prasad becomes more than food. It becomes a sign that Hanuman has accepted the love of his devotees. And perhaps, that is the greatest blessing one can receive.
