The Bhadra Maruti Temple at Khuldabad is one of the very few places in India where Hanuman is worshipped in a reclining, sleeping posture. It lies about 4 km from the Ellora Caves and roughly 26 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and it draws a steady stream of devotees all year, with vast crowds on Hanuman Jayanti, Ram Navami and Saturdays in the month of Shravan.
The legend of Bhadra Maruti
Local tradition links the temple to a king named Bhadrasen of Bhadravati, an old name associated with the Khuldabad area. The king was a devoted follower of Lord Ram and would sing hymns in his praise. One day, the story goes, Hanuman was passing by and was so moved by the singing that he stopped to listen. Absorbed in the devotion, he lay down and slipped into a state of bhava samadhi, a trance of pure devotional feeling.
When the king realised who was listening, he asked Hanuman to stay and bless the place and its devotees for ever. Hanuman agreed, and the deity is said to have remained here in that resting pose. The name Bhadra Maruti comes from the king, Bhadra, and Maruti, a common Marathi name for Hanuman.
Another tradition connects the discovery of the image with the saint Samarth Ramdas. Such overlapping stories are common at old temples in Maharashtra, and devotees tend to hold them together rather than choose between them.
A rare form of Hanuman
Most images show Hanuman standing, flying or kneeling in service of Ram. Here the orange-anointed idol lies on its back, relaxed, as if resting after a long journey. Reclining images of Hanuman are unusual; the best known are at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and Jam Sawali in Madhya Pradesh, which is why pilgrims often make a point of seeing all three.
The present temple is a relatively modern structure with marble floors and a spacious hall, built around the sanctum. Adjoining shrines are dedicated to Ram, Lakshman and Sita. The temple's history has not been smooth; tradition says the image was hidden and protected during difficult periods, and the shrine was rebuilt and renovated in the twentieth century.
Darshan tips
The temple opens early in the morning and stays open until late evening. Weekday mornings are the calmest time; you can often walk straight in, spend a few quiet minutes before the idol and sit in the hall afterwards.
- Saturdays and Tuesdays, both considered special for Hanuman, are busier. Saturdays in Shravan (roughly July to August) are especially crowded.
- Dress modestly and leave footwear at the stands near the entrance.
- Small stalls outside sell flowers, sindoor, oil and sweets for offerings, as well as simple snacks.
- Keep a little patience for the queue barriers and allow elderly visitors to go first; the atmosphere is friendly and devotional rather than rushed.
- Photography inside the sanctum is generally not encouraged. Ask before you take pictures.
Hanuman Jayanti at Bhadra Maruti
Hanuman Jayanti, on the full moon of the month of Chaitra (usually March or April), transforms Khuldabad. Lakhs of devotees arrive over the festival, and many walk from the city and surrounding villages through the night to reach the temple for darshan at dawn. The road from the city towards Khuldabad fills with pilgrims, volunteer stalls offering water and snacks, and devotional music.
If you want to experience the festival, plan carefully:
- Expect heavy traffic and diversions on the Ellora road on the eve and the day itself. Leave early, or park well away and walk the last stretch.
- Carry water, a cap and very little else. Keep valuables to a minimum.
- If you are travelling with young children or elderly family, consider visiting a day or two after the festival instead, when the energy is still there but the crowds have eased.
- Ellora and other sites nearby are also busier on these days, so do not try to pack in too much.
Combining the temple with nearby sights
Bhadra Maruti sits on the same road as Aurangzeb's tomb and the dargahs of Khuldabad, and it is only minutes from Ellora and the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga. Many pilgrims combine Grishneshwar darshan in the morning with Bhadra Maruti afterwards. If you have more time, continue up the ghat to Mhaismal for cooler air and wide views, especially lovely after the rains.
For a gentle day, visit Ellora first, stop at Bhadra Maruti on the way up to Khuldabad, and end with a slow drive back as the light softens over the Deccan plateau.
Hiranya is about 20 minutes' drive from Khuldabad, on the banks of Mombatta Lake at Daulatabad. It makes a peaceful base for a temple circuit, and our team is happy to suggest timings around festival days or arrange VIP darshan at Grishneshwar on prior request.
