Shree Bhurakhiya Hanumanji Mandir

One of the most famous and greatest temple in Gujarat is Shree Bhurakhiya Hanumanji Mandir located at Bhurakhiya village belongs to Lathi taluka under Amreli district in Saurashtra (region) of Gujarat state. It is located about 11 kms from taluka head quarters Lathi, approx. 26 kms from Gariyadhar and around 29 kms from Babra on Amreli-Lathi-Chavand Hwy.

In the period of the Hindu calendar Vikram Samvat of 1642 (in year 1585) Shri Damodardasji was a renowned saint. He was the disciple of Shri Raghuvirdasji who was very famous and ascended from Ramanand Lineage (now Ramanandi Sadhu). Shri Damodardasji was very famous for his preaching and Ramayan katha. He was particularly famous for his oratory in Goswami Tulsidas krit Ramayan (Shri Ramcharitmanas).

During his religious journeys, on one occasion he came to Virangaum (now Viramgam). Here he had a dream. He realized that he had a ‘Darshan’ of Lord Hanuman. The Lord gave a message to saint that he would make an appearance on the full moon night in the month of chaitra, at the midnight (on Hanuman Jayanti day). He would appear from out of a cluster of Babool (or Babul) trees on a small hillock in the jungle at a place between Sabhad (now known as Damnagar) and Lathi.

Shri Damodardasji felt very blessed and he went to the place indicated by Lord Hanumanji. Once he reached the place, he talked to the local people of his dream. The locals comprised of farmers, traders and labourers. The story of the saint’s grand dream soon spread wide and from far people started thronging in thousands near the place.

On the full moon night of chaitra in Vikram samvat of 1642 (in year 1585) at the midnight, in the presence of thousands of believers, there was a huge lightning and amidst divine halo, the hillock with babool trees disappeared, the land almost leveled up on its own and at that place, the Lord appeared. He appeared as though he was smeared with sindoor all over, and gave darshan to those who were present.

Saint Damodardasji and others offered sastang pranam, bathed the Lord with water from five rivers and put garlands of akda flowers. People prayed there for several days. Aartis and poojas were performed for days. The saint thought of name “Bhu-rakhia” to signify that the Lord will protect and prosper (rakshya) the land (Bhu) around and its people. Over the passage of time Bhurakshya popularly became Bhurakhia (Bhurakhiya). The Lord is affectionately called “Bhurakhiya Hanuman” and “Bhurakhiya Dada”.