Sant Kamali Hanuman Mandir, Bhopal

Good morning.

Sant Kamali Hanuman mandir is an ancient Hanuman Temple at Hanuman Ganj area in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The temple was built by Sant Kamali, who was an ardent devotee of Hanuman. Sant Kamali is said to have performed numerous miracles during his lifetime. The temple was built during the 19th century.

Legend has it that Sant Kamali used to blow conch during the early morning hours as part of his prayers to Lord Hanuman below a peepal tree in the present location of the shrine. Begum Khurishia, the then ruler of Bhopal, took offence to this. She ordered the Sant to stop blowing the conch during early morning hours. But Sant did not stop blowing the conch.

Begum Khurishia ordered the Sant to be executed. But when soldiers reached the peepal tree they found the Sant dead.

Next day morning the conch sound was heard again. This time Begum Khurishia asked his soldiers to behead the Sant and cut his hands and legs. When the soldiers reached the peepal tree, they found Sant to be beheaded with legs and hands cut off.

Next day morning the conch sound was heard again. Begum Khurishia personally went to investigate the mystery. There she heard the conch sound but Sant Kamali was not seen.

She realized the greatness of the Sant. Soon the Sant appeared and told her that he will keep performing his pujas and rituals. Impressed by his piety, the queen gave him the land to build a Hanuman mandir.

During the reign of Begum Khurishia ,Sant Kamali was donated eight acres of land for construction of the temple. It all begun when the Begum lost her loved necklace, even after long search in the Mahal there was no trace of it anywhere. On a quick thought she approached Sant Kamali Maharaj to help her trace her necklace. When she went to him for the same, even without uttering of a word by her Sant told her as to why she had taken the pain of coming upto this place when she should have recovered the necklace wrapped in a red cloth in her under bed. Begum was thrown aback as to how the Sant could know as to what for she had approached him. She ordered her trusted commandant to recheck and verify the bedroom. The commandant came back with the necklace wrapped in the red cloth and told Begum the he found it under the bed tucked between layers.

Impressed, Begum Khurishia donated eight acres of land and asked her force to help construction of the temple as desired by the Sant Kamali Maharaj. Because of the Sant Kamali and the temple built by him for Lord Hanuman this entire area had come known as Hanumanganj. This kshethra is so sacred one fells blessed to have visited the site where Sant had performed pooja and nama sankeerthan to the Lord Hanuman.

The temple had been built where Sant Kamali Maharaj had worshiped Lord Hanuman. The temple is south facing and now there are three- ardh shila adoring the temple and all these murthis are facing south. The temple is a scenic beauty, housing three ardh shila and one is around nine feet height, the other is around three feet height, and third is around two feet height.

There is a statue of Sant Kamali in the temple complex. The conch blown by him can be seen in the shrine.

The Devi Jagadambi Temple in Khajuraho

Good morning.

The Devi Jagadambi Temple is located in Khajuraho and is dedicated to Devi Jagadambi. The third temple on the common platform is slightly older than the Kandariya Mahadev and of a simpler, three-part design. It was probably originally dedicated to Vishnu, but later dedicated to Parvati and then Kali. Some disciples believe it may still be a Parvati temple and that Kali image (or Jagadamba) is actually an image of Parvati, painted black.

About the temple

The sculptures around the temple are again in three bands. Many of the two lower band images are of Vishnu with sardulas in the inner recesses. But on the third and the uppermost band the mithuna again come out to play.

This temple essentially resembles the Chitragupta Temple in respect of design, dimensions and decorative scheme and the two temples, therefore, are quite close to each other in time as they are in space. It consists of a sanctum without ambulatory, a vestibule, a 'maha-mandapa' with lateral transepts and an entrance porch.

The garbha griha now houses a huge image of the Goddess (Devi) of the Universe (Jagdambi), though it most probably started out as a Vishnu temple. It has the usual three bands of sculptures around it, but the third and most uppermost of these showcase some of the most erotic sculptures in Khajuraho. This is much smaller than the magnificent Kandariya Mahadev Temple. lt has a cross plan with only on set of balconies, only one mandap and no inner pradakshina patha. However, the Devi Jagdambi Temple has some of the loveliest sculptures ill Khajuraho, and because of its medium height most of them are easily visible. There are wonderful representation of the dlihpolas in tlheir rightful places, the awesome Yama and Nirriti on the south and southwest sides are especially noteworthy. The little niches on the south, west and north sides have endearing images of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma embracing their consorts. The south side lower niche has an image of Varaha, depicted with a human body and a boar head, emerging from the primeval waters carrying the earth goddess Bhudevi on his arm. She has placed her hand affectionately on his snout as if to pat the boar and thank him for rescuing her. Apart from the normal repertoire of female figures applying make-up and preening themselves, there are a number of depictions of lovers embracing and these are tucked away in the recesses and shadows of the temple. lt is as if the Devi Jagadambi and the Chitragupta Temples were especially assigned to honor love and conjugal harmony, with figures of the divine couples and others depicting every mood of love. A recess on the south side depicts a woman who , limned upon her standing over, as a creeper climbs a tree , to kiss him fervently. On the Pest sidle top row, is a mischievous woman tugging at the lover's beard. There are several such depictions and each visitor soon identifies his or her favorite masterpiece. On the west side are most facinating sculptures, one depictling a woman with her beautiful back turned to the onlooker. She is preoccupied in gazing at her beauty in the mirror, her scarf falling over her shoulder most provocatively. Near her is another seductive woman with a beautiful figure is depicted.