SANT KAMALI KA SRI HANUMAN MANDIR, BHOPAL, MADHYA PRADESH...
ram prabhu misra, bhopal
Bhopal
Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is a fascinating amalgam of scenic
beauty, old historic city and modern urban planning. It is situated on the
site of an 11th century city Bhojpal, founded by Raja Bhoj. The present city
was planned and established by an Afghan soldier, Dost Mohammed (1707-1740).
His descendants build Bhopal into a beautiful city.
Rulers of the place
The city of Bhopal has witnessed many changes since it was found by the
Afghan soldier Dost Mohammed in the year 1708 for the Gond queen, Kamlapati.
The power then went transferred to the Afghans and descendents. The old city
still reminds you of the past glory of the rulers, among them succession of
powerful Begums who ruled Bhopal from 1819 to 1926. The city has been through
many phases, gentle as well as turbulent, prosperous as well as disastrous.
Sant Kamali
There
was a Sant by name Kamali also known as Kamaldas during the rule of Begum
Shahjahan. The Sant was an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman. He was living
under a peepal tree in the then garden maintained by Begum Shahjahan,
presently near the CSP Office, earlier known as Hanumangunj police station
and Bhopal main bus stand. Many people use to visit him to have dharshan
of the Sant and take his blessings. Every day there use to be a bhajan
in the praise of Lord Ram and Hanuman and on finishing of the bhajan
the Sant use to blow the conch for long. For many days jagrathra
use to performed ie, bhajan throughout the night and will come to an
end only in the early morning.
Begum Shahjahan's encounter with Sant Kamali
Begum Shahjahan the then ruler of Bhopal took objection to the blowing of
the couch especially during the wee hours. She ordered his soldiers to find
out as to who is responsible for this. The soldiers reported back stating
that Sant Kamali is performing bhajan and he is blowing the
couch. The Begum ordered that the playing of conch will be treated as offence
henceforth and the Sant may be informed accordingly. When the message
was carried by the soldiers to the Sant, in reply Sant told
them that he would neither stop the bhajan or playing of conch till
his death. Begum ordered killing of the Sant to the soldiers for his
disobedience of the royal order.
Mystic powers of the Sant Kamali
The soldiers when went to execute the Sant, to their astonishment found
the Sant was lying dead under the peepal tree. The matter was reported
to the Begum Shahjahan. But the next day early morning again the couch was
played. Begum was annoyed and asked the soldiers to find out whether the
Sant is really dead. She asked the commandant to behead the Sant and take
apart the hands and legs. When went to the peepal tree to execute the royal
orders, the commandant found that the Sant Maharaj cut into peaces and
laying there. The commandant went back to the Begum and reported the matter.
Again next day Begum heard the sound of the couch. Astonished Begum went
personally to see as to what is happening in her garden maintained on eight
acres of land. She could hear the couch blowing but could see the couch but
not the Sant Kamali. She realised that the Sant is genuine and
apologised for her act. Sant Kamali Maharaj appeared from nowhere and told
her that he will be performing his duty till the Lord calls him.
Begum Khurishia
During the reign of Begum Khurishia Sant Kamali was donated eight
acares of land for construction of the temple. It all begun when the Begum
lost her loved necklace, even after long search in the Mahal there was
no trace of it anywhere. On a quick thought she approached Sant Kamali
Maharaj to help her trace her necklace. When she went to him for the same,
even without uttering of a word by her Sant told her as to why she had
taken the pain of coming upto this place when she should have recovered the
necklace wrapped in a red cloth in her under bed. Begum was thrown aback as
to how the Sant could know as to what for she had approached him. She
ordered her trusted commandant to recheck and verify the bedroom. The
commandant came back with the necklace wrapped in the red cloth and told
Begum the he found it under the bed tucked between layers.
Begum Khurishia's gift
Impressed, Begum Khurishia donated eight acres of land and asked her
force to help construction of the temple as desired by the Sant Kamali
Maharaj. Because of the Sant Kamali and the temple built by him for
Lord Hanuman this entire area had come known as Hanumanganj. This kshethra
is so sacred one fells blessed to have visited the site where Sant had
performed pooja and nama sangeerthan to the Lord hanuman.
The Temple for Hanumanji
The
temple had been built where Sant Kamali Maharaj had worshiped Lord
Hanuman. The temple is south facing and now there are three- ardh sila
adoring the temple and all these murthis are facing south. The temple is a
scenic beauty, housing three ardh shila and one is around nine feet
height, the other is around three feet height, and third is around two feet
height. The temple is situated in Hanumanganj near police station and Bhopal
main bus stand.
Even today you can see the Lord Hanuman worshiped by the Sant Kamali
which is about two feet height under the peepal tree. There is a large statue
installed for the Sant Kamali near by. You can see the conch blown by
the Sant Kamil there.
Next time when around Bhopal, please visit this ancient vibrant ancient temple and carry the blessings of Lord Hanuman and Sant Kamali Maharaj.
[ed. december 2005]