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Time of India
30-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Hanuman Garhi head priest breaks 300-year-old tradition, visits Ram Mandir
Ayodhya: Breaking a 300-year-old tradition, Mahant Prem Das on Wednesday became the first head priest of Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi temple to step outside the revered temple's premises, as he led a procession to the Ram Mandir on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya festival . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Mahant Das visited the Ram Mandir in a "Shahi Juloos" (royal procession), in a historic departure from centuries-old tradition that forbade the head priest from ever leaving the 52-bigha premises of Hanuman Garhi during his lifetime. Thousands of Naga Sadhus, devotees, and disciples joined the procession, which featured elephants, horses, camels, and musical performance by local troupes. The spiritual journey began on the banks of the Saryu river, where Mahant Das and others performed a ritual bath, before proceeding to offer prayers to Ram Lalla at the Ram Mandir." This tradition has been followed for 288 years, since 1737," Mahant Sanjay Das, a senior seer of Hanuman Garhi, said. "The Mahant's role is to devote himself entirely to Lord Hanuman. Once he is anointed on the seat, he lives and dies within the temple premises. His body can only leave the premises after his death," he said. The tradition, which began with the establishment of the temple in the 18th century, was so strict that the chief priest was even barred from appearing before local courts in lawsuits. There are occasions in recorded history when the court came down to the temple for the chief priest to depose and record his statement. The tradition was set aside for once, with the consent of all religious bodies, at the request of Mahant Prem Das to visit the Ram Mandir in his lifetime. The "Panch" (five members) of Nirvani Akhara (the apex body of Hanuman Garhi) unanimously granted the permission to him. Hanuman Garhi is revered as the custodian of Ayodhya due to its historical significance, its location at Ayodhya's highest point, and the belief that Hanuman, a devoted servant of Lord Ram, guards the city. The temple deity is considered the "Kotwal" or guardian of the city, and it's believed that seeking Hanuman's blessings before worshipping Lord Ram is a tradition.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Presiding seer of Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi steps out after centuries to visit Ram Temple
Ayodhya, Mahant Prem Das became the first head seer of Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi to step outside the revered temple's premises in over 300 years as he led a procession to the Ram temple on Akshaya Tritiya festival. Das visited the newly consecrated Ram Temple in a grand 'Shahi Juloos' in a historic and emotional departure from a centuries-old religious tradition that forbade the head priest from ever leaving the 52-bigha premises of Hanuman Garhi during his lifetime. Thousands of Naga Sadhus, devotees and disciples joined the procession, which featured elephants, horses, camels and musical performances by local troupes. The spiritual journey began at the banks of the Saryu River, where Mahant Prem Das and others performed a ritual bath, before proceeding to offer prayers at the Ram Temple. "This tradition has been followed for 288 years, since 1737," said Mahant Sanjay Das, a senior seer of Hanuman Garhi. "The Mahant's role is to devote himself entirely to Lord Hanuman. Once he is anointed to the seat, he lives and dies within the temple premises. His body can only leave after death." Mahant Ramkumar Das, chief of the Nirvani Akhara, told PTI that due to the presiding seer's deep desire to visit the Ram Temple, he was granted this "once-in-a-lifetime permission". According to the constitution of Hanuman Garhi, formalised in 1925, these traditions were recognised and enforced by the Naga Sadhus. "Even in civil matters, the courts have respected this tradition," said Sanjay Das. "If needed, a representative of the Akhara appears in court. In fact, in the 1980s, the court itself held sessions inside Hanuman Garhi to record statements from the Mahant," he said. However, the recent decision was not taken lightly. It came only after the 'Panch' of the Nirvani Akhara the esteemed religious body that oversees HanumanGarhi unanimously permitted the Mahant's wish to visit Ram Lalla's temple. Mahant Ramkumar Das, chief of the Nirvani Akhara, said, "The presiding seer's deep desire to visit the Ram Temple was heartfelt. After ritual discussions and overwhelming spiritual consensus, the Akhara granted this once-in-a-lifetime permission." The procession carried the Akhara's 'Nishaan' with immense reverence and symbolism. Alongside the Mahant were large groups of temple disciples, local shopkeepers and worshippers who saw the event as a powerful expression of religious unity and devotion.
News18
27-04-2025
- General
- News18
Hanumangarhi Chief Priest To Walk Out Of Temple In 7 Decades To Visit Ram Mandir
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Bestowed with the title of 'Gaddi Nasheen,' Mahant Prem Das is 70 years old and has never left the temple premises, which is spread over 52 bighas in Ayodhya. Hanumangarhi Temple chief priest will leave his home for the first time to visit the nearby Ram Mandir on Akshay Tritya on April 30. Bestowed with the title of 'Gaddi Nasheen,' Mahant Prem Das is 70 years old and has never left the temple premises, which is spread over 52 bighas in Ayodhya. According to a centuries-old custom, the Gaddi Nasheen is barred from walking out of the temple all his life. Ayodhya resident Prajjwal Singh told PTI, "The tradition that started with the establishment of the temple in the 18th century was so strict that the 'Gaddi Nasheen' was barred from appearing even before local courts." The break from tradition comes after Mahant Prem Das expressed a desire to visit the Ram Temple. He conveyed the wish to the Panch (members) of Nirvani Akhara, who unanimously granted him their permission for the visit. "On Akshay Tritiya, which is on April 30, the Gaddi Nasheen will lead a procession, which will also feature elephants, camels, and horses, from Hanumangarhi to Ram Lalla along with the Akhara's 'Nishaan' (insignia)," Mahant Ramkumar Das, the chief of Nirvani Akhara, said. He said the chief priest will be accompanied by Naga sadhus, their disciples, devotees, and local traders. The procession will reach the banks of the Saryu River at 7 am for a ritual bath and then proceed towards the Ram Temple, he said. On January 22, 2024, an idol of the Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya Temple in a landmark event. Parts of temple still remain under construction. First Published: April 27, 2025, 18:09 IST
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Hanumangarhi chief priest to walk out of temple first time in decades to visit Ram Mandir
Hanumangarhi Temple chief priest will leave his home for the first time to visit the nearby Ram Mandir on Akshay Tritya on April 30. Bestowed with the title of 'Gaddi Nasheen,' Mahant Prem Das is 70 years old and has never left the temple premises, which is spread over 52 bighas in Ayodhya. According to a centuries-old custom, the Gaddi Nasheen is barred from walking out of the temple all his life. Ayodhya resident Prajjwal Singh told PTI, "The tradition that started with the establishment of the temple in the 18th century was so strict that the 'Gaddi Nasheen' was barred from appearing even before local courts." The break from tradition comes after Mahant Prem Das expressed a desire to visit the Ram Temple. He conveyed the wish to the Panch (members) of Nirvani Akhara, who unanimously granted him their permission for the visit. "On Akshay Tritiya, which is on April 30, the Gaddi Nasheen will lead a procession, which will also feature elephants, camels, and horses, from Hanumangarhi to Ram Lalla along with the Akhara's 'Nishaan' (insignia)," Mahant Ramkumar Das, the chief of Nirvani Akhara, said. He said the chief priest will be accompanied by Naga sadhus, their disciples, devotees, and local traders. The procession will reach the banks of the Saryu River at 7 am for a ritual bath and then proceed towards the Ram Temple, he said. On January 22, 2024, an idol of the Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya Temple in a landmark event. Parts of temple still remain under construction.
