Hanuman Mandir

Hanuman (Anjaneya) Mandir is one of the oldest temples in Shirdi.Down the lane that runs between Dwarkamai and the chavadi is the Hanuman Temple. The temple faces south and there are two Hanuman images here, side by side. You may also notice a few weights and dumbbells in the corner. Because Hanuman is considered strong and vigorous and is the patron deity of wrestles, young men find this a promising place in which to exercise.

Sometimes Baba would stand in front of it and remain there for a while, occasionally slowly moving his hand up and down. Once during the procession to the Chavadi, when he came to the lane facing the mandir, he was suddenly seized as if by a spirit (avesam) and some devotees had to hold him until he reached chavadi, where the avesam left him. Sharma asked him about the incident: "Baba said him, this Maruti is our Swami. Why do you worship and adore our swami?". "Arre Sharma, in my childhood my parents dedicated me to Maruti, and so I make signs, to remind him I am his brother."

In this mandir so many sadhus used to stay, including the ascetic Devidas, whom Baba would occasionally visit during his earlier years in Shirdi. When baba went to Rahata (a village about five kilometers from Shirdi) with the fakir Javhar Ali in the earlier 1890s, his devotees were deeply unhappy at 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. After a few days , a debate was held in this mandir between Javhar Ali and Devidas. The fakir was defeated, causing him to flee the area, after which Baba remained among his devotees in shirdi until the end of his days.

On Thursday night, the temple is sometimes filled with music when locals gather to sing bhajan.