Pandupol Hanuman Temple & Sariska Tiger Reserve 

Nestled in the folds of the Aravalli ranges is the Tiger reserve in the North Indian state of Rajasthan - the Sariska Tiger Reserve & National Park. Sariska is a semideciduous jungle sheltering streams and lush greenery and is home to tigers, peacocks, langurs, monkeys, majestic sambars, nilgai, wild boars and jackals. When one drives down the NH8 from Delhi for about 170 kms, one reaches the Alwar district in about less than 4 hours, from where Sariska reserve is a small detour from the national highway making it a wonderful weekend getaway. 

Sariska Tiger Reserve is home to the famous Pandupol Hanuman temple, it is in the interior of the jungle and you can get a permit for a small fee from the forest office at the entrance. Drive to the temple on the kachha road through the jungle makes one feel adventurous . If you are lucky, you can spot the elusive big cat too. This is one of the places where pilgrimage and a jungle safari go together in perfect harmony. 

Legend has it that the Pandupol Hanuman Temple is around 5000 years old and is closely linked to the Mahabharata era. The unique feature about this temple is that Lord Hanuman is found in a reclining posture unlike other places where he is seen carrying the Sanjeevini hill or in a standing position. Sariska is believed to be the place or bridge where the Pandavas spent their time during their life in exile. Above the temple is a natural waterfall which is surrounded by rocks and beautiful scenery. This spot is also believed to be the place where Bheema, the most powerful of the Pandavas, cracked that hill into two. One of the legends is that Lord Hanuman wanted to kill the ego of Bheema and so he decided to lie down and not to move from the path of the Pandavas. Bheema tried his might and finally realized that it was the almighty Lord Hanuman himself. He bowed down to the Lord in complete surrender. He then became humble, built a temple for Lord Hanuman and worshipped the Lord heartfully. This is the reason behind Lord hanuman found in a reclining posture. 

Praying to the Lord Hanuman at Pandupol temple is believed to cure many incurable health conditions and removes all kind of obstacles in life. There are many devotees who throng the temple right through the year but the best time to visit is the winter months between mid-October and early March, when the air is crisp. The light nip in the air makes the journey and pilgrimage a memorable one. There are a number of resorts in Sariska, where one can relax after the temple visit and jungle safari. The jungles offer a pristine quality of air - a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of Delhi and National Capital Region. The light pollution too at night is nil; making it a wonderful place for star gazers to enjoy the astronomical beauty nature has to offer. 

There are a number of small forts nearby which are worth a visit and is also close to ‘Bhangarh’ - India’s most haunted place where even the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is located outside the limits of the haunted village which I shall be writing in the next issue of the Verandah Club. 

A Grandson, Husband and Father of Two, S Jaganathan - is one of the Director's of The Verandah Club. He is an avid traveller, interested in trendspotting and a firm believer in the philosophy - Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah.