Sacred Big Maruti Temple Lonar, Lonar, Buldana

The temple of Mote Maruti, the Great Hanuman, is situated about half a kilometre from the world-renowned Lonar Lake. The large murti here, a sacred stone image, depicts the Lord in a reclining (sleeping) posture and is considered exceptionally rare. It is said that this divine image was sculpted from the very rock of a meteorite. Measuring two point eight three metres in length and one point three two metres in width, this murti possesses magnetic properties. Devotees firmly believe that darshan of this awakened Maruti dispels the afflictions caused by Shani Dev. During the festivals of Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti, which take place here in the month of Chaitra, a great multitude of devotees gathers for the celebrations.

It is said that when the celestial meteor struck Lonar, creating the crater, a fragment broke off and fell to the side. The Ambar Lake, situated outside the village, is believed to have been formed from this very fragment. It is also said that this sacred murti was sculpted from the stone of the original meteor, near this very lake. Around the year एक हजार आठशे, a devotee named Govind Bhikaji Kanitkar journeyed from Sakharpa in Ratnagiri district to Lonar. It was then that he was blessed with the darshan of this divine murti, after which he chose to settle there permanently. The ‘Central Provinces and Berar District Gazetteers – Akola District, Volume A’ records that in the year एक हजार आठशे पासष्ट, Chandulal, the Diwan of the Nizam, bestowed a jagir upon the Kanitkar family for this very temple.

This sacred temple is under the loving care of the Kanitkar family, and their eleventh generation currently resides here. A few years ago, this temple underwent a blessed renovation. For a period of two hundred to two hundred and twenty-five years, the sacred image was adorned with a coating of vermillion (shendoor). This vermillion layer on the idol had grown to a thickness of approximately two feet. About fifteen years ago, Shri Ramesh Shripad Kanitkar, from the ninth generation of the Kanitkar family, began to experience divine visions of Shri Maruti. During these profound visions, he felt that Hanumanji Himself was asking him to lighten the burden of the vermillion coating on His sacred form. Subsequently, Shri Ramesh Kanitkar shared these divine experiences with Shri Dattaguru Kulkarni of Akola. Shri Kulkarni advised him, saying, “This sacred task should not be undertaken without the counsel of an authoritative person.” Later, on the third of November, two thousand and twelve, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shri Vidyanrusimha Bharati of the Karveer Peeth graced Lonar with His presence. Under His divine guidance, it was decided to perform the Kalakarshan ritual. This ritual was meticulously performed according to scriptural injunctions from the eighth of December, two thousand and thirteen, to Thursday, the nineteenth of December, two thousand and thirteen. During this sacred period, a remarkable twenty-five quintals of vermillion were removed from the idol. Following this, the original stone idol was revealed, granting devotees its pristine darshan. Temples dedicated to Nidrist Maruti (sleeping Maruti) are rare across our sacred land, and this is one of the most renowned among them.

This temple is situated to the west of Lonar Lake. The picturesque surroundings of Lonar, visible from near the temple, enchant the devotees and tourists who visit this sacred spot. Upon entering through the temple’s main archway, one steps into the courtyard. Many trees grace this courtyard. The main entrance is located within the fortified wall encircling the temple. On the stepped pathway of this entrance, there are platforms on both sides. The pillar-branches of the entrance feature lamp niches, and a murti of Shri Ganesha is enshrined at the lintel’s centre. From this entrance, one descends five steps to enter the temple’s sabhamandapa. The sabhamandapa is surrounded by structures resembling ovarya (small cells or verandas). In the open space before it, on a raised platform, rests a Mahadeva pinda with Nandi facing it. Nearby, there is a small murti of Shri Hanuman. In the devakoshtha (niche) to the left of the garbha-griha’s entrance is a murti of Sant Tukaram Maharaj, and in the devakoshtha to the right is a murti of Shri Tulja Bhavani. Beside Her Divine Presence is a sacred murti of Bhagwan Parashurama, carved from black stone.

Within the main sanctum sanctorum resides the reclining idol of Śrī Hanumān. Carved from a single stone, this mūrti is adorned with a crown upon His head, embellished with a crest jewel. Kundalas grace His ears. Jewelled ornaments adorn His chest, and His right hand is raised in the varadahasta mudrā, bestowing blessings. His left hand rests upon His chest. Here, one can behold the combined essence of the dhyāna mudrā and the yoga mudrā. A langoṭa is tied around the waist of this mūrti, with a trailing fold of cloth. Tode adorn His feet, and a vāḷā is on one foot. Beneath the left foot of this mūrti, Śanidev is seen bound by the tail of Māruti. To the right stands the idol of Śanidev’s consort, Dhāminīdevī.

As per the Pauranic references, Ravana was exceedingly learned yet very arrogant. To make his son, Indrajit, invincible, he had imprisoned all the Navagrahas, the nine planetary deities, and kept them inverted beneath his throne. Among them was Shani Dev. When Maruti, in search of Sita Mata, arrived in Lanka, he witnessed Shani Dev’s plight. At that time, Maruti liberated Shani Dev from Ravana’s bondage. However, to protect creation from Shani Dev’s ‘vakra drishti’ or malefic gaze, and to quell his arrogance, Maruti held Shani Dev firmly beneath his foot. Shani Dev attempted to exert his influence over Maruti, but his efforts were futile before Maruti’s immense power. At that very moment, Shani Dev’s consort, Devi Dhamini, bowed at Shri Maruti’s lotus feet and prayed, ‘O Pavanputra, please free my husband. He is merely fulfilling his dharma.’ Seeing the wife’s distress and Shani Dev’s acceptance of his error, Shri Maruti was pleased and released Shani Dev. In return for this great favour, Shani Dev promised Shri Hanuman, ‘Any devotee who worships You with a pure heart will not suffer from my Sade Sati or my malefic gaze.’ This ancient mythological event is underscored in this murti at Lonar. However, some scholars believe that the figure beneath Shri Maruti’s feet might be Akshaya Kumar, the adolescent son of Ravana, whom Shri Maruti slew. Due to the significant iron content in the soil around this temple, this murti of Shri Hanuman is believed to be imbued with magnetic power. In the niche behind the murti, there are murtis of Shri Ram, Shri Lakshman, and Devi Sita. To the right of the murti is the samadhi of Shri Govind Bhikaji Kanitkar.

Many festivals and sacred ceremonies are observed throughout the year at this temple in Lonar. Among these, Hanuman Jayanti is the grandest celebration. On the day of this festival, which falls on Chaitra Purnima, the temple precincts are bustling with devotees from the early hours of dawn. As the sun rises and the sacred birth ceremony of Hanuman is concluded, the entire atmosphere becomes imbued with devotion, resonating with the resounding chants of ‘Bajrang Bali ki Jai’ and a shower of flowers. In the morning, the main deity is anointed with oil and a sacred abhishek is performed. In the evening, a palanquin procession is taken out through Lonar town. Hundreds of devotees participate in this, accompanied by the vibrant sounds of drums and traditional percussion instruments.

In addition to this, the festival of Ram Navami is also celebrated here with great enthusiasm. During the nine-day Ram Janmotsav, kirtans, bhajans, and spiritual discourses are organised daily. Furthermore, in the holy month of Shravan, devotees throng here every Saturday. Many pilgrims complete the parikrama of Lonar Lake and then seek the darshan of this Maruti. Devotees and tourists can have the darshan of the reclining Maruti in this temple daily from six o’clock in the morning to seven o’clock in the evening.

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