Ramdoot Shri Hanuman Ji was very happy with Siddhpurush Shri Mohandas Ji Maharaj’s strong devotion. In the year 1755, on a Saturday during the month of Shravan, he appeared as an idol in Asota village to fulfil his devotee’s wish in Salasar. Then, in 1759, he had a temple built and entrusted the temple’s care to his disciple, Shri Udairam Ji and his descendants. After that, he entered deep meditation for the last time, consciously leaving his mortal form.
Salasar Village:
Salasar village is in Churu district, Rajasthan, towards the east of Sujangarh tehsil. Earlier, it was part of the Bikaner province, where Pt. Sukhram Ji lived with his wife, Kanhibai. Kanhibai was the daughter of Pt. Lacchiram Ji from Rulyani village in Sikar district. She was the only sister among her six brothers. Pt. Sukhram Ji and Kanhibai had a son named Udairam, whose father passed away when he was just five years old.
Pt. Sukhram Ji earned a livelihood through farming, apart from reciting Bhagwat verses. After her husband’s demise, Kanhibai faced challenges in farming and raising her son Udairam alone. She went back to her parental village, Rulyani, to ensure her son’s proper upbringing with the support of her father, Pt. Lacchiram Ji. After some years, Kanhibai decided to return to Salasar to take care of her house and farms. Pt. Lacchiram was very supportive of his daughter during her tough times. He chose to send one of his sons to live with her in Salasar. His youngest son, Mohan, who was unmarried and had no household responsibilities, was chosen for this purpose.
Mohan found an ideal environment for his devotional hymns at his sister’s house in Salasar, as both Pt. Lacchiram Ji’s and Pt. Sukhram Ji’s family were deeply religious. Sri Hanuman was the primary deity for both families. Mohan had been a devoted follower of Lord Hanuman since childhood, and he continued to cultivate this devotion at his sister’s home. With a peaceful atmosphere and plenty of personal time, Mohan gradually lost interest in worldly affairs and devoted himself entirely to Sri Hanuman.
One day, while farming with Udairam, Udairam noticed that Mohan repeatedly dropped his axe. Udairam suggested that Mohan should take some rest in the shade if he wasn’t feeling well. Mohan, however, explained to Udairam that a divine force was taking the axe from his hands and tossing it aside. This incident made him realize that he needed to detach from all attachments and deepen his devotion to Sri Hanuman.
Udairam couldn’t understand what happened and told his mother everything. Kanhibai thought that her brother Mohan should get married so that he wouldn’t become too detached from the world. She even sold grains at low prices to prepare for the wedding. Mohan got engaged, and Kanhibai sent gifts to the girl’s house through a barber named BEEJA. But Mohan suddenly said that all these efforts were in vain because the girl was already dead. Kanhibai was upset and told Mohan not to speak negatively on such a special occasion. Mohan explained that he felt a deeper connection with God and considered older women as mothers, peers as sisters, and younger ones as daughters. So, he was unsure whom he should marry.
The barber went to the girl’s house and saw her funeral procession leaving. He returned and informed Kanhibai about it. After this incident, everyone realized that Mohan had a special vision from God. He renounced worldly life and became Mohandas. He was so absorbed in his prayers that he neglected food and his physical body. He would meditate in the jungle for days, and Udairam and villagers would search for him, clean him, and give him water to drink. They would bring him home and feed him with great effort. He cared only for God and nothing else. Udairam even allocated a part of his farm for Mohandas to meditate and built a cottage there.
One day, while Mohandas and Kanhibai were having a meal together, they heard a voice (ALAKH) from outside their house. Mohandas asked his sister to give alms to the saintly beggar. When she went out with food, she saw no one there. It was a small village, and Mohandas searched everywhere, but there were no footprints, and the beggar had disappeared. Mohandas believed it was Sri Hanuman himself, and he had missed the chance to see him. Two months later, they heard the same voice again, and Kanhibai believed it was the same saint Mohandas had talked about earlier.
Sri Hanuman Ji dressed as a saint with a beard and moustache and a wand in his hand. The Lord himself had appeared at the gates of Mohandas Ji. Hanuman Ji had so much love and affection for his devotee that when he saw him approaching, he came back at full speed. Mohandas Ji ran after his Lord into the forest. They stopped, and the Lord threatened him with a stick in his hand and asked him to leave him alone. The Lord asked, “What do you want?” Make your wish; I grant you. This was the plot of Sri Hanuman Ji, and Mohandas Ji could understand it well. Mohandas Ji ignored all conversations and wrapped his hands tightly around his Lord’s legs.
Mohandas Ji had a deep devotion to Sri Hanuman. In the year 1755, on a Saturday, Lord Hanuman appeared in the form of an idol in Asota village to fulfil Mohandas Ji’s desire. The temple was built in 1759, and Mohandas Ji left his body in 1794.
Salasar village was once part of Bikaner province. Mohandas Ji’s sister, Kanhibai, supported him after he decided to dedicate his life to devotion. Mohandas Ji’s intense devotion attracted Sri Hanuman’s attention.
One day, Mohan saw a divine sign while farming, realizing he needed to detach from worldly matters and deepen his devotion. Kanhibai thought he should get married, but Mohandas Ji disagreed.
A barber named Beeja was sent with auspicious gifts for a girl, but Mohan claimed she was dead. After Mohan’s predictions came true, people realized he had divine insights. Mohan renounced worldly life and became Mohandas.
One day, a voice (ALAKH) was heard outside Mohandas Ji’s house. Later, another incident led to Mohandas Ji’s sister, Kanhibai, hearing the same voice. This marked Lord Hanuman’s presence.
Sri Hanuman appeared in front of Mohandas Ji as a saint, setting certain conditions to accompany him home. Mohandas Ji agreed, and the Lord visited his house, had food, took a rest, and then disappeared.
Mohandas Ji’s deep devotion made Sri Hanuman promise to stay with him forever in idol form. A sculptor was commissioned to create the idol. In 1755, the temple was established, and candles were lit.
In 1794, Mohandas Ji consciously left his body. Salasar Balaji Temple celebrates two main events – the temple’s establishment and Mohandas Ji’s memory. Thousands participate in these events, and there are many guest houses.
The temple provides free food and facilities. Coconuts are tied in the temple, and it’s believed that wishes are granted through this practice. These coconuts are tied in large numbers and are used only for this purpose.