The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Poets to emperors, this ancient temple in CP abounds in myth & history
CONSIDERED ONE of the prime indicators of British influence in Delhi, Connaught Place came to prominence only in the early 20th Century. However, there are a few structures in the area that prove the address held significance since earlier and is as much a centre for devotion as it is for commerce. Among the most prominent of them is the Prachin Hanuman Mandir at Baba Kharak Singh Marg.
Situated across the Irwin Road mosque, and a small distance from the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara as well as multiple churches, it is a fine example of peaceful religious coexistence. Legend goes that the Pandavas visited this spot during their exile and performed a puja here.
Shrikant Sharma, a mahant at the temple, said: “This place is among five pr a chin( ancient) temple sin Delhi, the others being Bhairon Mandir near Purana Qila, Kalkaji temple, Yogmaya temple in Mehrauli, and Marghat Hanuman temple in Kashmere Gate.”
On what makes the CP temple stand apart, he said, “The main idol of Lord Hanuman here is Swayambhu, which means it emerged on its own. Secondly, the idol is south-facing (dakshinmukhi), which sets it apart from man-made idols which all face east. You will find Hanuman ji in baalroop (child form) here.”
Accord in gt oz a far ha san’ s List Of Muhammadan And Hindu Monuments (Vol.2), the temple’s structure dates back to the Mughal period: “The temple is said to have been originally built by Raja Man Singh of Jaipur. The main building... is roofed by a steep le, the ceiling of which is ornamentedwith gold painting and glass work. the floor is paved with white and black marbles labs. the Singasan is enclosed by a pierced marble balustrade...”
Philip Lutgendorf wrote in his 2006 book, Hanuman's Tale, “Whatever its history, the shrine acquired its present form through a grandiose renovation in the 1980s. Now one approaches via a broad flight of white marble steps that lead up from the street level to heavy silver-sheathed doors bearing panels of Ramayana scenes ...”
Inside, one can gaze at fascinating frescoes depicting key events in the life of Lord Han um an—lifting amount a into brings anjee va ni booti to setting Lanka on fire.
On the Mughal influence, historian and author Swapna Liddle told The Indian Express, “As we know, the Mughals, Akbar, in particular, had good relations with rulers of Amer (now part of Jaipur). He hadmarrieda
Rajput princesshimself. So, this land was likely given to the Amer state by Akbar.”
It is believed that Tulsidas, who wrote Ramacharitamanas, also paid a visit to this temple. Going by a legend, he performed a miracle in front of Akbar “with the blessings of Lord Hanuman”.
Lutg en do rf, in his book, wrote: “According to Mahant Jagannath Das, Tulsidas came to Delhi to have darshan of the Connaught
Place temple’s murti... It was from here that he was summoned by the ‘king of Delhi’ and ordered to perform a miracle as reported in the B ha kt ir as bod hi ni of Priyadas. The mahant claims that, following Ha nu man’ s miraculousintervention on behalf of the poet, the Mughal ruler embellished the shrine’s spire, in place of the usual ornamentalwater pot(k alas a),wi than Islamic crescent-moon finial that he describes as unique among Hindu temples.”
Although old pictures of the temple show the crescent perched on the spire, during a recent visit, The Indian Express could not spot it.
The temple is frequented by all and sundry, from a blue-collar worker to top political figures as corroborated by Lutgendorf in his book: “Parliament, too, is nearby and politicians are said to flock here...” Among the latest political figures to be spotted at the temple was Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of jailed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who paid obeisance to the deity on Hanuman Jayanti.
Although the temple is open till 11 pm, the best time to visit is right before daybreak. As temple priests perform the aarti ,the usual din that CP is associated with takes a back seat and it is only the sounds of the giant bells mixed with devotional hymns that echo for a long time.