Balaji temple at Mehandipur in Rajasthan is very Powerful place. It is believed that the deity in this temple has divine power to cure a person possessed with evil spirit.Hundreds of 'Sankatwalas', as the possessed people are refereed to in local lingo, throng to the temple everyday to offer prayers and have 'darshan'. The temple has also become a home and the last respite for the victims. The 'Mahant' of the temple, Shri Kishor Puri Ji, prescribes the treatment. It can include reading holy texts, following a strict vegetarian and simple diet, and even afflicts physical pain to one's body. One can witness people going through various physical therapies like keeping heavy stones on their body , on arms, legs and chest , to ease their pain. There are others who inhale the smoke that fumes out of the sweet Patasa's kept on smoldering cowpats. The ones with serious case of spirit possession, who tends to get violent, are even shackled in chains within the temple premises. This may appear a bit anachronistic at the first glance, but thousands of people are believed to have been cured in this way. Festival time (Holi, Hanuman Jayanti and Dusshera etc) are regarded as the most auspicious time to emancipate from the evil spirit Medical science may discard such approach to the ailment as self-deceptions based on blind faith, but for the believers, the power of Balaji is something supernatural, something beyond metaphysics.
Places of Interest
Nilkanth Mahadev Temple - A
large stone Linga, was also found whose
top only is visible above the ground. It originally
belonged to a Shiv Temple on the summit of the hill and a temple of Nilkanth
Mahadev now occupies the site. The Temple is situated on the Aravali mountain
range is at the centre of Dausa district. The
temple is situated at the top of a hill. The temple is said to be 100-200
years old. Rajput kings used to have security
arrangements adjacent to the temple. Cannons are still seen on the temple
complex. Another i nteresting aspect linked to faith held by the devotees
is the tiny stone structures bearing the semblance of
houses at the sidewalks on the way to temple. These are built
by pilgrims on their way to the shrine believing that this would
fulfill their wishes of having a house of their own.
Mataji Ka Mandir - Another group of finely carved sculptures dating back to 12th century AD that are worshipped are built in the front wall of a modern temple (built in 1965) known as Mataji ka Mandir etc. On the way to the Bawdi is the Harshd Mata Temple. It is dedicated to a goddess. It was built by King Chand or Chandra of Nikumbha Rajputs of Chahamana Dynasty who was ruling at Abaneri or ancient Abha-Nagari (City) during 8th - 9th century A.D. Facing East, this temple is raised over double terraced platform. Originally hails the super structure of the Mahameru Style. The Sanctum is Pancharatha on plan and consists of Sandhara Garbhagriha, pillared Mandapa, crowned by a domical ceiling. Each niche of the buttress of Garbagriha has beautiful Brahmanical deities. Sculptures curved in deep relief fixed in the niches around the plinth of the upper terrace are the main attraction of this temple.
Pratap Vatika - A
few kilometres away from Dausa lay Vair. This is where the historic Pratap
Vatika spreads itself. The once-lively fort-palace complex is now in
ruins, and this makes an ideal location for a quiet
picnic. The Pratap Mahal with its rounded roofs and small
pillared balconies is very much in keeping
with Rajput architecture. Within the complex is a small temple - Mohanji
ka Mandir - made of red sandstone. Mohan
is another name for Krishna, the dark and mischievous Hindu
god with a flute. The arches and pillars
of the temple, badly damaged, add to the romantic ambience greatly.
The Lal Mahal topped by chhatris (cenotaphs) has a beautiful
kund (tank) adjoining it. There are people inhabiting a part of the mahal,
so the entire complex is not desolate. If not anything else, you might
bump into their cows and goats at least.
