Pavitra Maharudra Hanuman Sansthan Hutatma Circle, Mapusa, North Goa

Mapusa is a bustling town and commercial hub located on the border of Goa. It is famous for the Milagres Church, a place of faith for both Hindu and Christian brethren, built in the year 1674. Apart from this, temples like the Bodgeshwar Temple and the Dattatreya Temple on the hill, as well as the market held early on Friday mornings near the city bus stand, are well-known. Famous beaches like Ashwem and Arambol are nearby, and the city is renowned for some ancient shops and hotels serving traditional delicacies. It is in this city of Mapusa that the famous Maharudra Hanuman Temple is situated. Devotees believe that the awakened Hanuman here grants their wishes.

Samarth Ramdas Swami established the tradition of physical and spiritual strength (Balopasana). For this purpose, he founded Maruti temples and established Maths (monasteries) in various places across the country. The eleven Maruti temples established by Samarth in Maharashtra are famous. Additionally, he facilitated the installation of Maruti idols and temples in many other places through his disciples. He taught the youth of the country that strength is necessary to revitalize Dharma. He traveled across India for this cause. It is said that the Maharudra Hanuman at Mapusa was also established by Samarth Ramdas Swami. This temple is about four hundred years old, and the temple was renovated about 180 years ago.

The temple is located in the central and busy part of the city, along the main road. The structure of the temple consists of a Sabhamandap (assembly hall), Antarala (vestibule), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). There is exquisite carving on the front wall of the Sabhamandap. On both sides of the entrance, there are two pillar branches each, topped with a torana (arch). The torana features a Kirtimukha in the center and floral designs on both sides. The enclosed Sabhamandap is spacious and has ventilators for light and air. There are four rows of square pillars in the Sabhamandap. The outer pillars are embedded in the walls. All pillars stand on a base and have capitals at the top. There are semi-circular arches on the pillars in each row. The arches are adorned with various types of carvings. In the Sabhamandap, there are idols of Rama and Sita in a small shrine. A queue management system has been set up in the Sabhamandap using iron railings. The walls here are decorated with various paintings and carvings. The ceiling of the Sabhamandap features circular patterns. Further ahead, an Antarala has been constructed using stainless steel railings. In the Antarala, there is an Utsava Murti (processional idol) of Hanuman made of black stone on a table. The deity holds a mace in one hand and a mountain in the other. Devotees visiting for Darshan offer oil to this idol.

Further ahead is the entrance to the Garbhagriha. On both sides of the entrance, there are lamp niches in the front wall of the Garbhagriha. The entrance has pillar branches and an ornate arch. The arch features a Kirtimukha in the center and floral designs on both sides. Inside the Garbhagriha, there is an upright idol of Maruti on a silver pedestal. The deity is adorned with a silver mask and crown. Behind the idol is an ornate silver Prabhavali (halo). Brass lamps are placed on both sides of the pedestal. The walls of the Garbhagriha have circular carvings.

The roof of the temple is surrounded by a parapet wall with floral designs on the crests. There are small spires on all four corners of the roof. At the top of these spires are Amalakas, and above the Amalakas are Kalashas. There is a dome-shaped spire over the Garbhagriha. There are auspicious Kalashas on the pillars surrounding the spire. At the top of the spire, there is an Amalaka, a Kalasha, and a flag.

The festival of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with great enthusiasm on Chaitra Purnima at the temple. Thousands of devotees from the surrounding areas come for Darshan and to fulfill their vows. Oil and garlands of Calotropis (Rui) leaves are offered to the deity. A wooden cradle is decorated in the temple. A brass idol of Maruti is placed in the cradle in a reclining position, and the cradle is rocked while singing traditional cradle songs. On this occasion, five plays and the ‘Gavlan Kala’ are performed in the local theater. Apart from this, other festivals throughout the year are celebrated, such as the New Idol Anniversary on Chaitra Shuddha Ashtami, Ram Navami on Chaitra Shuddha Navami, the Palkhi procession on Dussehra, Kojagiri Purnima, and Diwali. During these festivals, programs like Bhajans, Kirtans, discourses, and Ramkatha are organized in the temple. Furthermore, the number of devotees visiting the temple is higher on Saturdays, Tuesdays, Purnima, and Amavasya. Devotees can have Darshan of Maharudra Hanuman in this temple daily from 6 AM to 12 PM and from 3 PM to 10 PM.

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