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The Mangal Graha Mandir located in Amalner, Maharashtra is a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Mangal Graha, the deity representing the planet Mars. This beautifully architectured temple attracts devotees from across the region who visit to seek blessings and make offerings to the revered deity.
History of Mangal Graha Mandir
The Mangal Graha Mandir was constructed in the early 1980s by the Kamdar family of Amalner. They felt blessed when a son was born after years of prayers in their family. As an expression of gratitude, they installed an idol of Mangal Graha and built a small temple structure to house it.
Over the years, stories of wishes getting fulfilled after praying at this temple led to its growing popularity. The temple started attracting larger crowds, especially on Tuesdays which are considered auspicious for worshipping Mangal Graha. The temple committee decided to expand the structure to accommodate more devotees.
The current grand temple structure was built in the 2000s. An impressive life-size idol of Mangal Graha riding a ram was installed. The deity is adorned with bright red clothing and glowing ornaments. The architecture and amenities around the temple were also significantly improved to provide a smooth darshan experience for devotees.
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Temple Architecture and Structure
The Mangal Graha Mandir is built over a sprawling 8000 sq ft area right in the heart of Amalner city. The main temple is constructed using a strong brick and concrete structure with intricate carvings depicting stories from Hindu scriptures.
The central idol placed on the altar is the prime attraction. The surrounding walls showcase artistically painted images of other Hindu deities. The temple roof is supported by intricately carved pillars and hangs chandeliers.
The temple campus also houses several smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva for devotees to offer quick prayers.
There are well-maintained gardens with benches as well as shoe racks, drinking water kiosks and washrooms for visitors' convenience. The accessibility ramp allows easy entry for senior citizens and differently-abled devotees.
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Mangal Graha - The Deity
Mangal Graha is the deity representing the red, fiery planet Mars in Hindu mythology. He is depicted as a muscular, red-complexioned god carrying weapons while riding a ram. He has four hands holding a trident, mace, spear and shield.
The common belief is that sincerely worshipping Mangal Graha helps one overcome troubles related to Mars such as delays, accidents, injuries, surgeries or obstructions affecting health, career, relationships, marriage proposals etc.
Regular prayer rituals like hoisting Mangal Graha's flag, offering vermillion and making food offerings of red-colored sweets are believed to invoke his blessings. Devotees observing fast, charity, and chanting mantras on Tuesdays are other popular ways to pay obeisance.
Major Attractions and Festivals
The major attraction bringing devotees to this temple is to have the darshan of the powerful idol representing Mangal Graha perform poojas seeking his divine intervention in life problems.
Special abhishekam poojas are conducted by temple priests during dusk hours when the deity is given a spiritual bath using panchamrit and devotees can witness this divine spectacle.
Long queues of devotees waiting patiently for hours to make quick offerings of vermillion, flowers or sweets are a common sight on Tuesdays. Large crowds also gather on Hindu festival days like Diwali, Navaratri etc. and during key calendar dates of the traditional Hindu calendar.
The most celebrated occasion is Mangala Chathurthi which occurs on Tuesdays as per the Hindu month of Shravan. Grand Mahapooja and havan rituals are conducted to venerate Mangal Graha amidst devotional music and bhajans which creates a spiritually surcharged atmosphere.
This beautiful, divine temple dedicated to Mangal Graha has become an integral part of Amalner's spiritual and cultural fabric attracting devotees from near and far.