Motha Maruti Temple, Lonar - The Temple Where Lord Hanuman Holds Shanidev As A Captive!

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The Lord is worshipped in different forms at different places to bestow his blessings on his devotees with different needs. The Motha Maruti Hanuman temple in Lonar, Maharashtra is unique in its own respect for holding Shanidev (Planet Saturn) as his captive. Let's explore more about the temple and its significance.

Significance of Motha Maruti Hanuman Temple

The Motha Maruti Hanuman temple is located in Lonar, in Buldhana district of Maharashtra. It is a privately owned temple, which stands out for its distinct features amongst all other Hanuman temples. The temple is unique owing to the fact that Lord Hanuman is seen in a reclining position.

The idol of Lord Hanuman is carved out of a magnetic rock. It is said for years the Hanuman idol was covered with a lot of sindhoor that his true form was not clear. After removing a large quantity of sindhoor smeared on Lord Hanuman's idol, the real form could be seen clearly by the worshippers.

Lord Hanuman, who is Vayu Putra is said to assume any form. He is worshipped in many forms like Prasana Hanuman, Veera Hanuman, Vimshati Bhuja Hanuman, who is with 20 arms, Panchamukha Hanuman with five faces, Ashtadasa Hanuman with 18 arms, Suvarchala Sahitha Hanuman, Chaturbuja Anjaneya with four arms, Dwatrimshath Hanuman with 32 arms, and Vanarakara Hanuman, who is seen in the simplest form at the feet of Lord Rama. In the Motha Maruti temple, however, Lord Hanuman is seen lying down. It is said that there are very few temples with Lord Hanuman in a reclining posture.

This huge 8th century reclining Lord Hanuman idol in the Motha Maruti temple is 9 feet in height. The right foot of the Lord rests on the earth, while under his left foot is seen the form of Shanidev (Planet Saturn), which is captured by his tail. The left hand of the Lord is seen in the position of doing Japa, while the right hand blesses all those who flock to him.

As per the shloka

Budhir Balam Yasho Dhairyam
Nir Bhayatvam Arogataa Ajaatyam Vaak Patutvam Cha
Hanumat Smaranaat Bavet.

A worshipper of Lord Hanuman is blessed with wisdom, physical strength, success, courage, fearlessness, good health, determination, and eloquence by meditating on him. Here in Motha Maruti Hanuman temple since Shanidev (Planet Saturn) is held captive by Lord Hanuman in his tail, the worshippers are freed from the malefic planetary effects of Shanidev (Planet Saturn) and other planets as well.
Let's thus seek the blessings of Motha Maruti to be free of trouble and to be blessed abundantly.