Tying coconuts can help fulfil your wishes in Salasar Balaji Temple situated in Churu.

Are you aware of the story behind the Salasar Balaji temple which is dedicated to the Lord Hanuman in Rajasthan?

There is a legend that those tying coconuts in colourful red cloth get their wishes fulfilled in this temple and there is an interesting story behind this ritual.

Once upon a time, a Jagirdar of Sikar, Rao Raja Devi Singh wished to have a son. He heard about Balaji and came to this place and tied a coconut on a tree to fulfil his wish and was later blessed with a son Rao Raja Laxman Singh after ten months. Thus the custom of tying coconuts to fulfil wishes continues at the temple from that time onwards.

Situated in the Churu district of Rajasthan, the temple complex is an art of architecture being built with brick, mortar and marbles. The use of mosaic, white marble and gold and silver wares in the sanctum, walls and gate of the temple are  just jaw dropping.

There are many rituals of worship in this temple which is now known as a religious circuit in the region because of many temples located nearby includes the pilgrim centres of Rani Sati temple, Jeen Mata and Khatushymaji, which are located close to it.

The idol of Balaji in fact was founded by a farmer while ploughing the land.

Initially a small construction, the temple of Salasar Balaji is now a Shakti Sthal.

Of many rituals and traditions performed at the temple, the most widely followed is the tying of coconuts with sacred thread (moli) in the temple premises by a large number of devotees. It is widely believed that such practice helps them to fulfil their wishes if done with sincere faith.

The other widely followed practice is the offering of food by the devotees to their deity, referred to as savamani. Though the food is mostly prepared by the cook of the temple kitchens, the process is now being outsourced to several independent shopkeepers and food-caterers due to the increasing number of offerings every day. Several delicacies like Dal, Bati, Churma, Boondi, Peda and Laddu is chosen for Savamani. The food after first being offered to the deity, is later used as part of family celebrations, distributed over to family and relatives or donated to the needy.

.