Paat baba Sri Hanumanji Mandir, Jabalpur

Paat baba Lord’s posture as seen at the entrance of the complex

Jabalpur

Paat Baba Temple complex entrance. Jabalpur is named after the sage Jabali, who performed penance on the banks of the River Narmada. This city, situated on the banks of the Narmada, is known as the cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh. Jabalpur is the railway headquarters of the West Central Railway. Jabalpur Cantonment is one of the largest cantonments in India. The city is also renowned for the Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat.

Narmada River

The Narmada River is one of the two major rivers in peninsular India that flow from east to west, the other being the Tapti River. It is the longest west-flowing river in the region. In comparison, all the rivers are referred to the feminine gender in all languages, except in Sanskrit, where there are two words, नदि, नद denoting a river. While ‘nadi’ is feminine gender, and ‘nada’ is masculine gender. Although it is widely known that the River Brahmaputra is called nada, some scholars consider that west-flowing rivers are also nada.

Since the city is on the banks of the River Narmada, which brings in freshwater from the Vindyachal Ranges, it offers the city an added advantage. Thus, attracting the establishment of a large number of defense establishments.

Jabalpur Cantonment

Paat Baba Temple, Jabalpur Jabalpur Cantonment is one of the largest cantonments in India, housing the army headquarters of five states, namely Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand. A host of defense establishments, like Vehicle Factory, Grey Iron Foundry, Gun Carriage Factory, and Ordnance Factory.

Armed forces contribute a large portion to the economy in this city. The city has three regimental centers, namely the Grenadiers, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, and the Signals Regiment.

The establishment of the Gun Carriage Factory here has an interesting anecdote and is connected with Sri Hanumanji.

Gun Carriage Factory, and Ordnance Factory

Having established its rule in Bharat, the English initiated many manufacturing units here for their defense needs. One such place they selected for establishing the biggest cantonment and defense ordnance unit is Jabalpur. While efforts to form a cantonment occurred in the middle of the nineteenth century, attempts to establish an ordnance factory only began at the century's end and into the early 1900s.

Whenever the Gun Carriage factory's walls are built, they inexplicably collapse each night. Initially, it was thought to be a construction defect. It was rebuilt, only to collapse again, leaving Smith perplexed and unsure know how to proceed further.

Hindrance in building Gun Carriage Factory

British officer Smith planned to mass-produce defense weapons and wanted to build a factory for the same at Jabalpur. He named it the Gun Carriage Factory. Accordingly, the site for the same was selected at Jabalpur, and the construction commenced. Nevertheless, whenever the factory's walls are built, they inexplicably collapse each night. Initially, it was thought to be a construction defect. It was rebuilt, only to collapse again, leaving Smith perplexed and unsure know how to proceed further.

Durga,Paat Baba,Pateshwar Mahadev Temples, Jabalpur Disturbed by this, Smith went to sleep that night and experienced a dream where Lord Hanuman appeared, telling him that an idol of the deity was buried near the construction site.

Smith started the excavation work around the site the next day, looking for the idol of Sri Hanuman. Finally, when the idol was found, Smith was flabbergasted to see the idol, and with all fondness, respectfully wrapped the idol in a red silk cloth. Devotees had seen Him wrapped in a red silk cloth, hence locals named the Lord is known as Paat Baba. In Hindi, “पाट” means silk (पाट बाबा श्री हनुमानजी).

The history of the temple inscribed on the slab can be found at the entrance of the temple complex.

Temple for Paat Baba

Thus, on the historic day of 12 August 1903, the renowned Paat Baba Temple of Jabalpur was built as desired by the Lord Himself. After the construction temple for Sri Paat Baba, the work of the Gun Carriage Factory was commenced and completed safely without any hindrance.

The temple faces south-west, so also the Lord. The idol is smeared with vermillion and is draped in red silk cloth. The pandit says that the Lord’s posture is the same as the idol, seen at the entrance of the complex. The Lord is depicted in a squatting posture, bestowing blessings upon the devotees with His right hand showing ‘Abhay mudra.’ Since the Lord is facing south-west, He will be bestowing strength and prosperity.

Location of the temple: "Paat baba Sri Hanumanji Mandir, Jabalpur"

Experience

A visit to this temple and darshan of Paat Baba is bound to give strength to do righteous actions, thereby leading to prosperity.

Sri Hanuman, who emerged from His veiling, to bestow blessings on His devotees.