In the holy city of Ayodhya, where Shri Ram was born, there is a special temple called Hanuman Garhi. This temple is dedicated to Hanuman, the loyal devotee of Shri Ram. People believe Hanuman still protects Ayodhya. In 1998, a remarkable event happened that made everyone feel Hanuman’s divine presence. A small monkey, acting like Hanuman himself, saved the temple from a dangerous bomb. This story is full of faith, courage, and miracles.
The Sacred Hanuman Garhi Temple
Hanuman Garhi is one of the most important temples in Ayodhya. It sits on a small hill, and devotees climb 76 steps to reach it. The temple is shaped like a fort, with Hanuman’s statue inside, shining with love and strength. People visit this temple before going to Ram Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Shri Ram, to seek Hanuman’s blessings.
Why is it special?
- It is believed Shri Ram gave Hanuman the duty to guard Ayodhya.
- The temple is a symbol of Hanuman’s devotion and power.
- Devotees feel Hanuman’s presence in every corner of the temple.
As Saint Tulsidas wrote:
“Jai Hanuman gyaan gun saagar, Jai Kapis tihu lok ujaagar.”
(This means: Victory to Hanuman, the ocean of wisdom and virtue, who lights up the three worlds.)
This Doha reminds us of Hanuman’s greatness, which we see in this story.
The Dangerous Threat in 1998
In 1998, Ayodhya was not very peaceful. Some bad people wanted to harm the sacred city. The Uttar Pradesh police got secret information that a large amount of RDX, a dangerous explosive, was brought to Ayodhya. Most of it was stopped by the police, but one terrorist sneaked into Hanuman Garhi Temple. He had a cruel plan.
What did the terrorist do?
- He disguised himself as a bomb disposal team member.
- He hid a time bomb inside a cold water dispenser in the temple’s courtyard.
- He set a timer so the bomb would explode and destroy the temple.
The police caught the terrorist as he was running away. When they questioned him, he confessed that the bomb was about to explode in just one minute! Everyone was scared. The temple was full of devotees, and time was running out.
The Police Search for the Bomb
Inspector Avinash Mishra, a brave police officer, led his team into the temple. They knew they had to find the bomb quickly to save lives. The temple was evacuated, meaning all devotees were asked to leave quietly. The police searched every corner of the temple.
What happened during the search?
- They looked in every room, corridor, and even behind statues.
- They couldn’t find anything that looked like a bomb.
- Time was ticking, and everyone was worried.
The situation was tense, like a scene from the Ramayana where Hanuman faces tough challenges but never gives up. Just as Hanuman stayed calm when searching for Sita in Lanka, the police kept their focus.
The Monkey’s Miracle
Suddenly, something amazing happened. The police noticed a small monkey sitting near the cold water dispenser in the temple’s courtyard. This was the same place where the bomb was hidden! The monkey was holding two electric wires in its hands and chewing them as if they were fruits.
What did the monkey do?
- It was playing with the wires connected to the bomb.
- By chewing them, it cut the wires that would make the bomb explode.
- The monkey didn’t seem scared or confused—it looked like it knew what it was doing.
The police were shocked. They threw bananas to distract the monkey so they could check the machine. When the monkey moved away, the bomb disposal team opened the dispenser. Inside, they found the bomb—but it was no longer dangerous! The timer had stopped at three seconds because the monkey had cut the wires.
As Tulsidas said:
“Sankat mochan Hanuman ki jai, Pavan putra ki jai!”
(This means: Victory to Hanuman, the remover of troubles, the son of the wind!)
This Doha fits perfectly, as the monkey seemed to be Hanuman himself, saving everyone from a big disaster.
A Divine Moment
After the bomb was made safe, the police looked up and saw the same monkey sitting on top of the temple’s spire, gently touching the flagpole. It looked peaceful, as if saying, “Ayodhya is safe now.” Then, the monkey disappeared, leaving everyone in awe.
Why did people feel it was divine?
- The monkey appeared at the exact moment the bomb needed to be stopped.
- It didn’t get hurt while chewing live wires, which is very unusual.
- Its calm behavior made people think it was Hanuman’s spirit.
In the Ramayana, Hanuman is described as a hero who protects Shri Ram’s city. This monkey’s actions reminded people of Hanuman’s promise to always guard Ayodhya. Inspector Avinash Mishra called it a “chamatkar” (miracle), and the priests of the temple agreed. They believed Hanuman had come in the form of a monkey to save his sacred home.
The Aftermath and Faith
The police later found more clues about the terrorist plan. They arrested others involved and made sure Ayodhya was safe. The story of the monkey spread among the people of Ayodhya, but it wasn’t published in newspapers because Ayodhya was a sensitive place. Still, devotees started calling the monkey “Hanuman ka avatar” (Hanuman’s form).
- What did people learn?
- Faith in Hanuman grew stronger.
- People felt that divine powers protect holy places.
- The story showed that even a small creature can do big things with God’s blessings.
This event is mentioned in the web series Inspector Avinash, which tells the story of the brave police officer. It reminds us of Hanuman’s strength in the Ramayana, like when he carried a mountain to save Lakshmana. As Tulsidas wrote:
“Ram duare tum rakhware, Hot na agya bin paisare.”
(This means: Hanuman, you guard Rama’s door; no one enters without your permission.)
The monkey seemed to guard the temple’s door that day.
The Beauty of the Episode
This story is not just about a monkey stopping a bomb. It’s about faith, courage, and the belief that good always wins. The beauty lies in how a small creature became a hero, just like Hanuman in the Ramayana. Here’s why this episode is so special:
- Divinity: The monkey’s actions felt like a message from Hanuman, saying, “I am here to protect Ayodhya.”
- Unity: The police, priests, and devotees worked together to keep the temple safe.
- Hope: The story gives hope that miracles can happen when things seem impossible.
In the Ramayana, Hanuman’s love for Shri Ram made him do impossible tasks. This monkey’s love for the temple seemed to come from the same divine power. People still visit Hanuman Garhi and remember this miracle, feeling closer to Hanuman.
Conclusion
The 1998 Hanuman Garhi bomb incident is a story of faith and wonder. A small monkey, acting like Hanuman, saved a sacred temple from destruction. It showed the world that Ayodhya is under divine protection. Whether you see it as a miracle or a brave act, the story reminds us to trust in goodness and believe in the power of devotion.
As we end, let’s chant
“Jai Shri Ram! Jai Hanuman!”
(Victory to Shri Ram!, Victory to Hanuman)
This tale will live in the hearts of devotees forever, proving that Hanuman’s spirit is always watching over us.
At the end I would like to say one of my favorite lines:
IT HAPPENS ONLY IN INDIA!!
