Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh): An idol of Lord Hanuman in a temple at Ghatigaon, about 45 kilometers from Gwalior, is believed to change its form three times a day.
This temple is called “Dhuaan ke Hanuman Mandir” (Hanuman of the Smoke).
This rare and mysterious quality makes the temple one of a kind and attracts thousands of devotees every day.
Because of this miracle, thousands of people come to visit the temple every day. On Hanuman Jayanti, the number of visitors becomes even larger.
The temple priest says that the idol looks like a child from 4 AM to 10 AM. From 10 AM to 6 PM, it looks like a young man. After 6 PM and all night, the idol appears like an old man. These three forms can be clearly seen by the devotees, and many believe it is a sign of Hanuman’s divine power.
This temple is called “Dhuaan ke Hanuman Mandir” (Hanuman of the Smoke). The idol was found many years ago in a nearby pond, which has never dried up.
Long ago, weapons were made in this area, and a lot of smoke used to rise during that work. Because of that, the temple got its name.
One more special thing is that this Hanuman idol is not covered with sindoor (orange paste), which is usually put on Hanuman idols in other temples.
About 25 years ago, welding work was happening on the roof of the temple. Some sparks from the welding fell on the idol, and it got burn marks. Since then, sindoor is not applied. If you look closely at the idol, you can even see veins, just like on a real human body.
People from faraway places come to see this amazing idol and pray to Hanuman. The temple is known for its miracles, and the changing form of the idol is a big reason why so many devotees believe in its power.
