Prasanna Shree Hanuman Temple Muchepar (BoteJhari), Bhiwapur, Nagpur

The ancient Hanuman Mandir located in the reserved forest area of Muchepar in Bhiwapur taluka of Nagpur district is renowned as a ‘Jagrut Devasthan’ (a temple where the deity is believed to be spiritually awakened). The fair held here every Saturday and Monday throughout the month of Margashirsha has a 150-year-old tradition, and lakhs of devotees visit for darshan during this period. Devotees hold a deep faith that this Hanuman fulfills all prayers and vows.

To reach the temple, one must travel 3 km through a forest path from the main road. Situated near the Tadoba National Park, the entire area is surrounded by dense forest. The Botezari Lake lies adjacent to this path, from where the route continues towards the Hanuman Mandir. This temple is 500 years old, and senior citizens of the area attest that it is one of the eleven Maruti shrines established by Samarth Ramdas Swami in Maharashtra. Although the construction of the Hanuman Mandir is simple, the assembly hall (sabhamandap) is spacious. For the convenience of devotees, a queue system has been arranged in the assembly hall. In the center of the hall is the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha), which houses the Swayambhu (self-manifested) idol of Hanuman. This idol, carved from a single stone and standing about 5 feet tall, is adorned with a crown, silver eyes, and a silver tilak. There is a spire (kalash) atop the square-shaped sanctum. The temple premises also house the Runa Mukteshwar Mahadev Mandir, Jindamata Mandir, and a shrine for Lord Ganesha. Near the temple, the Forest Department has erected a 50-foot-high watchtower. To ensure the safety of devotees from wild animals, forest guards maintain a constant vigil. Additionally, seating arrangements and facilities for cooking meals have been provided for devotees in the temple area. 

A grand festival is held here every year during the month of Margashirsha, which lasts for approximately one and a quarter months. During this period, a large fair takes place every Saturday and Monday. From morning until evening, there is a long queue of devotees waiting for a glimpse of Lord Hanuman. Thousands of devotees come here to fulfill their vows, with significant participation from across Vidarbha and neighboring states. There is a specific tradition for fulfilling vows here: the person for whom the vow was made is weighed against jaggery, sugar, or pedhas (sweets), which are then offered as a donation (tula). Since long ago, local families have traveled to this fair in bullock carts, carrying their own cooking supplies. It is a tradition to spend the day here, cook meals on-site, offer them to Lord Hanuman, and then partake in the prasad. This tradition continues today, with many families arriving in hundreds of bullock carts during the fair. Along with bullock carts, private vehicles now also arrive in large numbers. According to forest department regulations, visitors are permitted to stay only between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

During the fair, daily rituals include Kakad Aarti, Bhajans, Ramdhun, and recitations of the Gita and Bhagavata Purana. The fair concludes with Gopalakala and Mahaprasad. While ST bus services are available from Umred to Botezari, one must rely on bullock carts or private vehicles to travel from Botezari to the temple. Due to the deep faith of devotees in this forest-shrouded shrine and the increasing number of pilgrims and tourists, the state government has granted this site ‘B’ grade pilgrimage status.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery