Maruti Mandir – Shirdi

 

Maruti Mandir is one of the oldest mandirs in Shirdi situated between Dwarakamai and Chavadi.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, an ardent devotee of Lord Rama.  It is said that during the Chavadi Procession, Sai Baba used to halt at Lord Hanuman's temple waved his hands showing some strange gestures, and stood quietly there for a few minutes. The palki of Sai Baba which is taken out on special occasions also stops at the Maruti Mandir and the worshippers praise Sai Baba and Lord Hanuman. Peepal and Neem trees are situated in front of the temple. A Shivling along with Nandi is also installed on this site.

Maruti Mandir was the place where sadhus used to stay, including the ascetic Devidas, whom Baba would occasionally visit during his earlier years in Shirdi. When Baba went to Rahata with the fakir Javhar Ali in the early 1890s, his devotees were deeply unhappy with his absence from them. After about eight weeks they succeeded in persuading Javhar Ali to let Baba return to Shirdi, though he insisted on coming too. A few days later, a debate was held in this temple between Javhar Ali and Devidas. The fakir was roundly defeated, causing him to flee the area, after which Baba remained among his devotees in Shirdi until the end of his days.

 

Hanuman Jayanti and Ramnavami are celebrated on a grand scale at this temple every year.

Timings

7.00 am to 10.00 pm

How to reach the Temple

600 mts from Shirdi Bus Station

Nearby Temples

Saibaba Samadi Mandir – 300 mts

Khandoba Temple – 1 km.