Mahant Prem Das, the 70-year-old Gaddi Nasheen (head Pujari) of Ayodhya’s historic Hanuman Garhi mandir, is set to break a rigid 300-year-old tradition by stepping out of the mandir premises to visit the newly constructed Ram Mandir. The momentous event, scheduled for April 30 on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, symbolises a profound shift in Ayodhya’s religious history and spiritual consciousness.
For centuries, the tradition was unyielding — once anointed, the Gaddi Nasheen of Hanuman Garhi was forbidden from leaving the sprawling 52-bigha mandir complex. This custom was more than a ritual; it was the living embodiment of the belief that Bhagwan Hanuman, the eternal guardian of Ayodhya, oversaw the birthplace of Bhagwan Ram through his seat at Hanuman Garhi. The head Pujari was seen as Bhagwan Hanuman’s representative on earth, bound by sacred duty to remain on the mandir’s grounds for life.
Yet, as Ayodhya breathes in a new era marked by the completion of the Ram Mandir, it is divine intervention — not human decision — that has prompted this historic break from tradition.
For months now, Mahant Prem Das, a revered figure among Ayodhya’s spiritual circles, has been speaking of powerful dreams where Bhagwan Hanuman himself appeared, commanding him to visit Ram Lalla at the newly constructed mandir.
Understanding the gravity of such visions, Mahant Prem Das approached the Panchayat (council) of the Nirvani Akhara, the apex religious body that oversees Hanuman Garhi. After a deeply deliberative meeting on April 21, attended by over 400 senior monks and disciples, the Panchayat unanimously consented to his request. They interpreted the recurring dreams as a divine command one that supersedes even centuries-old human customs.
According to mandir insiders, the decision was not made lightly. It followed days of prayer, consultation of ancient scriptures, and intense reflection. However, it was ultimately agreed: when the Bhagwan himself calls, no earthly tradition can stand in the way.
Rigid Rules of Hanuman Garhi
The sacred Hanuman Garhi — a set of religious rules formulated over 200 years ago by Baba Abhay Das Ji Maharaj enshrines the role of the Gaddi Nasheen as both servant and sentry of Hanuman Ji.
According to Dr Mahesh Das, principal of the Hanumant Sanskrit Vidyalaya and a close disciple of Mahant Prem Das, the rule explicitly states that the head Pujari must reside within the 52 bighas of mandir land, which includes not just the mandir itself but also shops, houses, a hospital, and a Sanskrit college.
Such was the rigidity of the tradition that, even when legal matters arose, the head Pujari could not appear before a court. Instead, courts came to Hanuman Garhi to record his statements. There was only one recorded exception in modern times — when a Gaddi Nasheen left the premises briefly for urgent hospitalisation — and even then, the move was heavily scrutinised by the Akhara.
Traditionally, when Bhagwan Hanuman’s blessings were required at external events, it was not the Mahant who traveled, but the “Hanuman Chinnah” — a ceremonial flag bearing Bhagwan Hanuman’s image, intricately embroidered with silver and gold threads — that was sent, accompanied by elaborate rituals.
On April 30, Mahant Prem Das’s journey to the Ram Mandir will not be a simple walk — it will be a royal spiritual spectacle, echoing ancient Bharatiya traditions of divine processions.
At 7 AM sharp, Mahant Prem Das, flanked by thousands of disciples, will first bathe at the sacred Saryu River, purifying himself as per Sanatan Dharma customs. Then, atop a richly adorned chariot, he will lead a grand procession towards the Ram Mandir, covering the 1.6-kilometer distance that will mark the breaking of a 300-year-long spiritual seclusion.
The procession will feature:
- Elephants, camels, and horses decorated in traditional regalia,
- Silver sticks carried by attendants,
- The Nishaan (insignia) of the Nirvani Akhara,
- A multitude of Naga Sadhus, devotees, and local traders, all marching in reverence.
Due to strict security protocols at the Ram mandir, the Mahant will transition from his chariot to a specially designated vehicle at a secure distance and enter the mandir through Gate No. 3.
As part of the ceremonial visit, Mahant Prem Das will carry 56 types of Bhog (sacred food offerings) for Bhagwan Ram, symbolising devotion, abundance, and fulfillment.
Hanuman Garhi has always been regarded as the guardian fort of Ayodhya. Perched at the city’s highest point, it is believed that Hanuman Ji continues to protect Ayodhya from harm. The relationship between Hanuman Garhi and Ram Janmabhoomi is deeply intertwined; devotees traditionally seek blessings from Bhagwan Hanuman before proceeding to Bhagwan Ram.
Thus, Mahant Prem Das’s journey holds enormous symbolic significance: it represents the guardian visiting the very heart he has protected for centuries. In spiritual terms, it is a reunion between protector and the protected, the servitor and the Lord.
This visit is also deeply resonant in the context of the resurgence of Ayodhya’s spiritual and cultural identity with the establishment of the Ram Mandir — a moment many see as the culmination of centuries of devotion, struggle, and faith.
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