SRI CHOLA HANUMAN MANDIR, BHOPAL,
MADYA PRADESH...
Sri Ram Prabhu Misra
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
From Raja Bhoj onwards there were many dynasties had ruled the place. The
antediluvian remains in the place are the evidence to these facts. There are
forts and temples built by the Rajputs in their era. The successive rulers
had added to the glory of the place many gardens, forts, temples etc. There
are few temples which was visited and prayed by the rulers of different faith
even. Many kings have ruled here and enriched the character of the city.
Chola Hanuman mandir
Raja Vikram Shah, during his reign had built few temples. He was devoted
to Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman. One such built by him for the Lord Hanuman is
presently known as Chola mandir. The temple is situated nearly two and half
kilo meters from Bhopal main bus station, on the road leading to Vidisha and
Sanchi. Perhaps the Chola mandir is one of the oldest Hanuman temples in the
city. It is believed that the Lord Hanumans murthi was in existence in the
place where the present temple is. It is believed that Raja Vikram Shah in
the year 1405 had built this temple for the Lord. He had also performed punar
jeeranotharan after completion of the temple.
Patronage of other rulers
The Lord Hanuman of Chola temple had attracted the attention of many
rulers, many kings and Begums who had subsequently ruled the place had lot of
faith in the Lord Hanuman of Chola temple and had improved upon the needs of
the devotees who were visiting the temple. To mention few, Begum Shahjahan
and Begum Khurishia are most popular visitors of this temple during their
time. They use to arrange for bhog for poor and devotees in general during
the festivals and other aspious occasions.
Khans of Bhopal
During last centaury, reign of Bhopal was a dispute between two brothers
Sri Habibulla Khan and Sri Wally Hydir Khan, both of them claiming the throne
and right to rule the State. Long legal battle was fought and it was heard in
the Privy Council in London where legal luminaries of outstanding caliber
were employed by the brothers. After final hearing was over the judgment was
reserved. Both the brothers were waiting with there fingers crossed to know
the final verdict, as to whom the throne will be.
Minister of Sri Habibulla Khan
Sri Habibulla Khan had a minister by name Sri Awadh Narayan who uses to
advice him on many matters. He is an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman of Chola
temple, and both Sri Habibulla Khan and Sri Awadh Narayan use to visit the
temple as devotee and offer offerings. The minister saw the impatience of the
king and requested him to have faith on the Lord Hanuman of Chola temple. On
counseling with his minister Sri Habibulla Khan vowed to lay new road to the
temple and also arrange for the Ramlela every year in the ground near the
temple.
Sri Habibulla Khan’s successes
Impatient he was, Sri Habibulla Khan set out for London to know the
outcome of the legal suite. Those days the travel to London from Bhopal will
be Bhopal to Bombay (presently Mumbai) by train and then from Bombay to
London by ship. Sri Habibulla Khan left for Bombay and was to board the ship
after a day or so.
Alas! Even before he could board the ship he got the news that he had won the
case against his brother Sri Wally Hydir Khan in the Privy Council and he was
declared the ruler of the State. Joy found no boundary to Sri Habibulla Khan,
and he rushed back to Bhopal to fulfill his vow towards Chola mandir. The
first thing he did was to lay road to the temple, and conduct Sri Ramlela.
It is warming to note that even today the Sri Ramlela is being conducted and
witnessed by the decedents of the then ruler Sri Habibulla Khan. This is only
to site an example of things that Chola Mandir Hanumanji had granted to His
devotee and faithful.
Today it attracts large crowed everyday, and especially on Tuesday and Saturday temple attracts huge crowed from all corners of Bhopal. If you happen to visit this city of Bhopal go earn some blessings from Lord Hanuman of Chola mandir.
[ed. March 06]