Salasar Balaji Temple
Salasar, Sujangarh tehsil, Churu district · Balaji (Hanuman), shown uniquely with a beard and moustache
A Hanuman found in a ploughed field in 1755 – the only bearded Balaji, where devotees tie coconuts to make a wish.
Salasar Balaji is one of Rajasthan's most important Hanuman temples. The idol was found in 1755 by a farmer ploughing his field in Asota village and brought to Salasar after Hanuman appeared in a dream to the saint Mohandas Maharaj. The round face of the deity, with a beard and moustache, is unlike any other Hanuman image. Pilgrims come from all over India, especially Marwari families, to tie a coconut with a wish (mannat) and to offer churma on Tuesdays and Saturdays and at the two great fairs in Chaitra and Ashwin.
Timings
- Darshan: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM (official timing page; a site notice gives 6:00 AM – 8:45 PM)
- Mangla Aarti: 5:30 AM (winter) / 5:00 AM (summer)
- Sandhya Aarti: 6:00 PM (winter) / 7:30 PM (summer)
- Shayan Aarti: 9:00 PM (winter) / 10:00 PM (summer)
- Busiest days: Tuesdays, Saturdays, Purnima and the Chaitra and Ashwin Purnima fairs
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
- Schedule Darshan (online form) – Free
- Live darshan – Free
Sevas and costs
- Coconut tying (mannat) – Cost of coconut and red cloth/thread (approx. ₹50 – ₹150 from shops) (Any day)
- Churma bhog – Varies (Any day, especially Tuesday and Saturday)
- Savamani – Varies – Check with the temple office (Any day, usually after a wish is fulfilled)
- Sindoor and chola offering – Varies (Tuesdays and Saturdays especially)
- Dhwaja (flag) offering – Varies (cost of the flag) (Any day, often after a wish is fulfilled)
- Aarti darshan (Mangla, Rajbhog, Sandhya, Shayan) – Free (Daily, see the official schedule)
How to book darshan
Darshan is free. You can fill the free 'Schedule Darshan' form on the official website or use the official app. For savamani, accommodation and donations, contact the temple office: +91 96022 52749, 01568-252749, 01568-252049, info@shreesalasarbalajimandir.com.
Schedule darshan (official, free)
Dress code
Modest clothes; remove footwear.
Best time to visit
October to March. Chaitra Purnima (Hanuman Jayanti) and Ashwin Purnima fairs are the biggest occasions.
How to reach
- air: Jaipur International Airport, about 175 km (approx. 3.5 hours).
- rail: Sujangarh (about 24 km), Sikar (about 57 km), Ratangarh, Didwana and Laxmangarh stations.
- road: Salasar is on the Jaipur–Bikaner highway, about 57 km from Sikar, 24 km from Sujangarh and 30 km from Laxmangarh. Buses run from Jaipur, Delhi (approx. 300–400 km depending on route) and Bikaner.
Festivals
- Hanuman Janmotsav / Chaitra Purnima mela – Chaitra Shukla Chaturdashi – Purnima (Mar–Apr)
- Sharad (Ashwin) Purnima mela – Sep–Oct
- Bhadrapada Purnima mela – Aug–Sep
- Balaji's Prakatya Diwas – Shravan Shukla Navami (Jul–Aug)
- Mohandas Ji's Shraddh Diwas – Trayodashi (the temple's history names Vaishakh Shukla Trayodashi; Hindi Wikipedia places the observance in Shraddh Paksh)
- Every Tuesday and Saturday – Weekly