Today is the first ‘Bada Mangal’ of Jyeshtha month. In Sanatan tradition, Bada Mangal of Jyeshtha month has great significance. On this day, huge crowds of devotees throng Hanuman temples across the country. The atmosphere of Shri Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple located in the capital Lucknow is particularly supernatural. This temple is also known as ‘Hanuman Setu Temple’. Devotees have deep faith in this temple; Here, considering Lord Bajrangbali as a ‘Jagrut Devta’ (a deity who is always awake), people convey their wishes to him through written letters. There is a widespread belief that every wish made with a true heart here is definitely fulfilled.
In the Hanuman Setu temple, Lord Bajrangbali is said to be seated as the giver of ‘Ashta Siddhis’ (eight supernatural powers) and as an incarnation (Rudravatar) of Lord Shiva. A white (white) idol of Lord Hanuman is installed in the temple. The ritual ‘Pran Pratishtha’ (installation ceremony) of this idol was performed to ensure that the divine energy of Lord Bajrangbali remains always active in the temple premises. Devotees strongly believe that by worshiping in this temple of Lord Hanuman, all their sorrows and sufferings go away. A unique tradition is also followed in the temple: devotees write their wishes on paper and offer them to Lord Bajrangbali. It is believed that Lord Hanuman fulfills the wishes of the devotees through these letters. Apart from this, there is also a very interesting story related to the construction of Hanuman Setu temple.
How was Hanuman Setu temple built?
There is a very fascinating legend related to the construction of Hanuman Setu temple. It is said that in the year 1960, the water level of the Gomti River had risen so much that it posed a serious threat to the city. As a result, it became extremely necessary to build a bridge over the river. However, repeated attempts to build the bridge failed, as the pillars built to support the bridge structure were unable to withstand the tremendous velocity of the water.
At the same time, Neem Karoli Baba—an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman—advised the engineers associated with the bridge construction project to first build a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Legend has it that the construction of this bridge was successfully completed only when the Hanuman temple was built. Today, this temple of Lord Hanuman is known as ‘Hanuman Setu Temple’. On Tuesdays, a huge crowd of devotees throng this temple. Special festivals and programs are organized here on the occasion of ‘Bada Mangal’ falling in the month of Jyeshtha. There is no space left even to set foot inside the temple premises, and a devotional atmosphere prevails all around.