Hanuman Dandi Temple

Lord Hanuman though celibate since birth (Brahmachari or bachelor), with his son Makardhwaj (who was half Vanara & half Makara) rare temple known as “Dandi Hanuman Temple” is located at BET DWARKA in the Indian state of GUJARAT. Bet (or Beyt) Dwarka is an inhabited ISLAND at mouth of ‘Gulf of Kutch’ situated 3 kms off the coast of OKHA. The island is measured northwest to southeast in 13 kms with an average 4 kms in east-west direction. It is a strip of sand and stone situated north of very famous Lord Krishna’s legendary DWARKA Nagari (Devbhoomi Dwarka is one of the foremost Chardhams, four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites, and is one of the Sapta Puri, the seven most ancient religious cities in India).

[Story of Makardhwaj in Ramayan:- When Hanuman took a dip in the waters of sea, after burning whole of Lanka with the fire burning on his tail, a drop of his perspiration (sweat-पसीना) fell in to mouth of a mighty fish-cum-reptile like creature-crocodile, thus making it pregnant. The mighty fish was caught by people of Ahiravan, the step brother of Lankesh Ravan, who ruled Patal (the netherworld). When stomach of creature fish was cut open, Markardhwaj was discovered. Ahiravan seeing Makardhwaj’s strength & virility gave him job of guarding the gates of his Kingdom Patal-Puri. Makardhwaj name is derived from creature Makara and depicted as part Makara & part Vanara (monkey). Makardhwaj is sometimes also spelled as Magar-dhwaj - depicted as part Magara (crocodile) & part Vanara. According to Ramayan story, when Ahiravan took sleeping Lord Shri Ram & Lakshman to Patal-Lok, Hanuman followed them to their rescue. At the gate of Patal-Puri, Lord Hanuman was challenged by a creature, who was part Vanara (monkey) & part reptile (makara) i.e. Makardhwaj.]

Bet Dwarka or Beyt Dwarka is 32 kms from main Dwarka and called island because ‘Beyt’ in Gujarati language means island hence the island in Dwarka is called ‘Beyt Dwarka’. One has to take a ferry boat from Okha port jetty to reach this island. The island is part of original Dwarka built by Bhagwan Shri Krishna and he had met his childhood friend Shri Sudama here. Therefore devotees call this place as ‘Bet Dwarka’ where ‘bet’ in Hindi language meaning ‘meeting’.

Dandi Hanuman Temple is a magnificent and unique temple of Lord Hanuman with his son Makardhwaj, around 5 kms east of the Beyt Dwarka's main Shri Krishna temple, since it is built in the very same spot where Lord Shri Hanuman had met his son Makardhwaj for the first time in the sands of ‘Gulf of Kutch’ at the entrance of Patal-Lok (the underworld).

As the temple is approached the chanting of the “Thryodhashari” Mantra "Shri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram" renders the air. The serene surrounding and the calm atmosphere in which the temple is set and with the 'Thryodhashari’ mantra rendering the air one enters the temple with all piousness. In the centre of a big open space a small temple under the Peepal tree had been built for Shri Hanuman and Shri Makardhwaj. The temple is east facing. Wherever you turn the “Thryodhashari” mantra is written. Today the temple complex in huge, all around the compound the chant of “Shri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram” is heard.

As you enter the temple you can have Dharshan of father and son. Shri Hanumanji is seen on your right side and Shri Makardhwaj is seen on the left hand side. Shri Makardhwaj is seen slightly taller than Shri Hanumanji. On close look one could see Shri Makaradwaj in full. His right hand is seen raised above his right shoulder showing the sign of ‘Abhaya’. His left hand is seen resting closing his chest signifying ‘when I have my father in my heart, why you worry?’ His left leg is raised and resting on the head of a demon which is pinned and lying down. His tail is seen resting on the ground, impaling that the demon had been pinned down without much effort.

By the side of Shri Makardhwaj, Shri Hanumanji is seen. God Hanuman is seen above his thigh only. Lord’s right hand is seen raised above the right shoulder and turns to back of the head. Lord’s left hand is seen resting on the chest. His tail rising above the right shoulder runs parallel to the hand bending backward near his head. Shri Hanumanji is thus seen in a relaxed mood and enjoying Shri Makardhwaj destroying the demon.

One can see a club (Dand) placed between them. It seems there is no need for the club here. Lord Shri Hanuman in relaxed and joyous mood, Shri Makardhwaj is also seen enjoying what he is doing and relaxed. There is no Gada (Mace) or any other weapon in the hands of these two. Even the club (Dand) is put to rest. In Gujarat, the joyous mood, merry is expressed with ‘Dandi’. It is no wonder that this temple where Shri Hanumanji and Shri Makaradwaj are virajman (enshrine) is called ‘Dandi Hanuman’ meaning ‘Joyous Hanuman’.

There are also idols of Shri Ganesha and Shri Kalabhairava in the temple compound facing north.

Some Interesting & Uniqueness of Dandi Hanuman temple are :-

(1) This is rare temple in Bharat where Shri Makardhwaj and Shri Hanuman seen together.

(2)  Both of them are seen without any weapon.

(3) Shri Makardhwaj is seen crushing a demon.

(4) Shri Hanuman is visible only from above the thigh.

(5) Every year during Vijayadashami Dasara/Dussehra, Shri Dwarakadhish of Byet Dwarka adorned like Bhagwan Shri Ram, visits this temple in a Palkhi (Palanquin). Shri Krishna adorned as Shri Ram is not seen anywhere in Bharat.

(6) There is 24 x 7 chanting of ‘Thryodhashari’ Mantra in this Hanuman Mandir.

There are always many groups of devotees who come from different part of Bharat to chant this mantra at this temple. The temple has facilities for accommodating the devotees who visit for this purpose. This facility is extended to other devotees also. Devotees need to come here and stay for a day at least to realize the real spirit of ‘Thryodhashari’ mantra and power of Shri Hanuman when with Shri Makardhwaj.

Devotees suffering of chronic health problem or other problem visit this temple and take a Supari from the priest with an understanding that they will chant the ‘Thryodhashari’ mantra with the Supari in hand and return the same to the temple once their wishes are fulfilled.

There is a local belief that Lord Shri Hanuman is going down the earth by a measure of grain every year and Kali-Yug will come to the end once Shri Hanumanji leaves this place.

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated here for seven days and attracts very large devotees of Gujarat, Maharashtra and also from other states.