Weather :
25° C
Timings :
Any time of the day
Time Required :
1 hrs
Entry Fee :
No entry fee
Om Banna Temple, Overview
Om Banna Temple, popularly known as 'Bullet Baba Mandir', is a temple with an unusual backstory that can be found on NH65 between Pali and Jodhpur, near Chotila village. It is dedicated to a pilgrim Om Banna, who died in his place, and his bike, a 350 cc Royal Enfield Bullet. Situated 50 km from Jodhpur and 20 km from Pali, this pilgrimage center is religiously revered by nearby villagers and devotees praying for a safe journey and is a center of attraction for tourists and travelers due to its origins. This temple is especially popular among Royal Enfield enthusiasts.Om Banna's bullet is locked in a glass box of the Om Banna temple built at the accident site. There is also an idol of Om Banna inside the temple. The tree that Om Banna hit still remains at the site, as devotees accompanied by the statue and motorbike prayed to ensure safe travel on the highway. Hundreds of devotees from nearby villages come here every day to make sure that they are protected, and it is believed that travelers who do not stop by this temple to pay their respects are at a dangerous risk. Doomed to travel. Offerings are made on bikes in the form of flowers, prayer strings and alcohol.
History and Legends Om Banna ji
Om Banna Temple is dedicated to the spirit of Om Singh Rathore, who met with an accident on the Pali-Jodhpur highway near Jodhpur. He was on his way from Bangari to Chotila village on his Royal Enfield 350cc Bullet, RNJ 7773 when he lost control of the bike, hit a tree, fell into a ditch and lost his life. The accident happened on 2 December 1991. The next day, Goli was taken to the local police station but he was reported missing the next day. Some local people found the bike at the accident site. The police took it back to the police station, emptied the fuel tank and used chains and locks to stop the theft, but that night too, the bike went missing and was later found at the same spot.The reason behind the bike's disappearance is not known and is shocking. The villagers associated the event with spirits and gods. He considered it a miracle that the bullet kept returning to the ditch and started worshiping the bike. Some also believe that the spirit of Om Singh Rathore helps distressed travelers en route. Villagers apply vermilion powder, offer flowers, coconut, incense sticks, sweets, tie red thread on bikes as a mark of respect while some leave bottles of wine as prasad to Om Singh. Some also believe that those who do not stop at the Om Banna temple to worship Om Singh Rathor, their onward journey is unsafe.
Architecture of Om Banna ji
Om Banna Temple is a small temple made of cane and wood on a high platform. Most of the structure is an outdoor setting with only one roof. The temple has a picture and an idol of late Om Singh Rathore on a stone platform about three feet high. Several temple bells hang around the temple. Apart from the picture, the Royal Enfield 350cc Bullet has been placed on another raised stone platform. It is protected by a glass cover and has a makeshift roof made of cane and bamboo.
