Baroda and Vadodara

Baroda is situated on the banks of the river Vishwamitri (whose name is derived from the great saint Rishi Vishwamitra). The city was once called Chandanavati after its ruler, Raja Chandan. The city also had another name, "Virakshetra" or "Virawati," the abode of the brave. Then it was known as Vadpatraka since the place had plenty of banyan trees on the banks of the river Viswamitri. Then it was Wadodará, which according to tradition is a corrupt form of the Sanskrit word Vatodar, meaning 'in the heart of the banyan tree.' But early English travelers and merchants mention the town as Brodera, and it is from this that the name Baroda is derived. In 1974, the official name of the city was changed to Vadodara.

It is located southeast of Ahmedabad, 139 km from the state capital, Gandhinagar. It is the administrative headquarters of Vadodara District. Both the railway line and national highway connecting Delhi and Mumbai pass through Vadodara.

Sanskari Nagari – Cultural town

Vadodara has a rich historical background. The place was almost under the Hindu rulers, except for a short period during which Delhi Sultans were controlling the administration. Since the cultural traditions were almost undisturbed, the district is referred to as Sanskari Nagari. Since the region was under the influence of the Chalukyas and Marathas for a long time, the region has many devotees of Sri Hanuman.

Bhidbhanjan Hanuman temple of Harni

There are many temples for Sri Hanuman in this city, and many of them are ancient and more than a hundred years old. The Harni Hanuman temple is one of the oldest Hanuman temples in Vadodara and has a very interesting legend. The temple is located northeast of Vadodara on the Harni road and is nearer to the Vadodara airport, Harni tank, and Motnath Mahadev temple. It is equally interesting to know why the Hanuman of this temple got the name ‘Bhidbhanjan.’

LEGEND

Hirankashpu of Harni

This place once was a forest full of banyan trees and was most suitable for meditation and tapas. Many ascetic people and Rishis have spent quiet time at this place to gain peace and have darshan of the Brahman. But unfortunately, the place was under the control of a wicked king by the name of Hirankashpu (not Sri Krishna’s uncle). As a practice, the king used to harass the rishis and saints who had taken to penance and meditation in this region. But the rishis were hopeful of a solution to this and continued their practice of penance. Once Sri Rama, Sita, and Lakshman, along with Sri Hanuman, were on a visit to this place, and the rishis took the opportunity to brief Sri Rama about the harassment meted out to them by Hirankashpu. They also requested a solution to this problem so that they could continue to meditate in this peaceful place.

Hirankashpu pinned by Sri Hanuman

Sri Rama ordered Lakshmana and Hanuman to destroy Hirankashpu. Both these warriors fought with vigor against the demon king, but there was no sight of the end. When the battle was not coming to an end, Sri Rama asked Hanuman to continue the fight with more vigor and take the virat roop at the appropriate time. The battle continued; on the fourteenth day, Hanuman assumed vishvaroop and flung the demon king to the ground, pinning him down to the ground with His right foot. With Lord Hanuman’s right foot on him, the wicked powers of Hirankashpu started melting down.

Wishes of Sri Rama

Lord Rama had ordained Hanuman to remain in that position, for it was the only way to subdue the demon & break his power. As a symbol of acceptance of the command, Hanuman is seen placing His right hand over His head. It is believed that Hanuman has been here ever since.

Bhid Bhanjan Maruti

Lord Rama then prophesied that Hanuman would forego his ‘vanara’ features and would assume the ‘nara’ [human] form as the people would offer prayers to Him for saving the saints, sadhus of this place. He will have the power to vanquish the trouble of the people who offer their prayers to Him at this place. Sri Maruti, who had destroyed the troubles of saints and sadhus of this place, will be worshipped as Bhid [trouble] Bhanjan [destroyer] Maruti. Sri Hanuman's image in this temple has a mustache, beard, and other human facial features as per Sri Rama’s blessings.

Temple for Bhid Bhanjan Maruti at Harni

Over time, the place was covered by jungles with scores of Arni trees, giving the name Harni to this place. [There is another version saying that this place got the name Harni because of the demon king Hirankashpu.] In later years, under one of the trees, a strange image of a very unconventional Hanuman was found, and people began worshipping it. In the north, the Vishvamitri and Surya Rivers flow. As Sri Maruti freed the saints and sadhus from the troubling Hirankashpu, Harni Hanuman is renowned as Bhid Bhanjan Maruti.

Ancient temple

Over a period, a beautiful temple was built for Sri Maruti. The structure of Harni Hanuman Temple is quite different from other modern Indian temples. The roof of the temple is dome-shaped in a Mughal-style tomb. It is believed that this could have been done to give a deceptive look of a tomb, in order to distract the invaders who were against idol worship. Such sculptural symbols are found in this temple, which is itself proof that this temple is an ancient temple in this region.

Mela at this ancient Mandir

The temple no doubt attracts a huge number of devotees from all over Bharat. During Tuesdays and Saturdays, it draws more devotees, and especially during Saturdays of the "Sravan" month, the devotees throng the temple. During this time, a festive mood will prevail, and a huge mela is held here. The Chadurdasi [14th day after the waning or waxing moon] day before Diwali is considered the most auspicious day for sadhana and siddhi. Devotees visit this temple on that day to achieve their goals. If this Chadurdasi happens to be a Saturday, then it is even more auspicious for the offer of prayers to Sri Maruti, who is a destroyer of all evils, a Bhid Bhanjan Maruti He is.

Location of the Mandir

This ancient Sri Hanuman Mandir of Vadodara is located in Harni. Sri Bhidbhanjan Hanuman temple is located northeast of Vadodara on the Harni road and is nearer to the Vadodara airport, Harni tank, and Motnath Mahadev temple.

 

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SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE

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Ed [April 2013]
Revised [April 2019, Jan 2025]

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