Salasar Balaji Temple

Salasar Balaji Temple in Churu district, Rajasthan, is one of the most popular Hanuman temples in North India, enshrining a unique bearded and moustached form of Hanumanji — the only such deity image in India. The sacred idol is said to have emerged miraculously from a field in 1754 CE and been installed by saint Mohandas Ji.

The temple has grown into a vast marble complex over the centuries, with an enormous sabha mandap, multiple shrines, and dharamshalas that can house thousands of pilgrims. Over 25 lakh devotees visit annually during Chaitra and Ashwin Navratri. The temple is on the important Rajasthan pilgrimage circuit connecting Khatu Shyam, Salasar, and Pushkar. The main idol is dressed in elaborate silver and gold ornaments and is considered a jagrut (living, responsive) deity by devotees.