As much of a motorcycle enthusiast I might be, I never imagined that there would be a Royal Enfield Temple in India.
A small village in the Pali district of Rajasthan has a shrine where the deity is a Royal Enfield 350cc. I was on a trip to Jodhpur when I heard about the Royal Enfield Temple, just 50kms away, and I knew I had to add this to my itinerary.
The Story of the Royal Enfield Temple
Back in 1988, Om Singh Rathore was riding his Royal Enfield in the Chotila village of Pali district, when he hit a tree, fell in a ditch and died on the spot. During investigation, the local cops took his bike to the police station, but the bike appeared at the accident spot the next day under mysterious circumstances. The cops then brought back the bike to the police station, emptied the fuel tank and chained the vehicle. But next day, the bike appeared once again at the accident spot. This happened over couple of days! When the locals came to know about the incident, they were convinced that there was a divine power behind it. A shrine was then built for the Royal Enfield and its owner.
While the temple is named after ‘Om Singh’, Banna is a common term among the Rajputs of Rajasthan to address a boy or a newly-wed groom. Over time, the Om Banna temple has also come to be known as the Bullet Baba Temple, or popularly Royal Enfield Temple.
Om Banna’s Royal Enfield 350cc, now a deity
Like any other Temple
The popularity of the Om Banna Temple can be gauged from the fact that this temple had to shift its location right by the highway to a few meters away from the highway due to an increasing number of visitors.
Believe it or not, the Royal Enfield temple has a full time priest. Om Banna and the Royal Enfield are covered in plentiful garlands on any given day. People tie red threads to the bike and to the tree that caused the accident. Bangles are tucked to the shrine and donation boxes are placed for those who would like to make offerings.
Like most of the temples, one has to remove their footwear before entering. Locals sing folk songs in honour of Om Banna. Outside the temple, one can even find shops selling commercial items like photo frames, scarfs and toys.
Locals sing folk songs in honour of Om Banna at the Bullet Baba temple
Offering alcohol
There is a belief among the locals that one must pray to Om Banna for a safe trip before they embark on their journey. The location of the temple on NH 65 makes for a quick halt for driving passersby wanting to pray before they head onwards. The locals believe that those who do not do so are likely to have a dangerous journey. It is further believed that visitors must take two rounds of the encased motorbike while offering prayers.
What caught my attention however was the sight of devotees offering alcohol to the bust of Om Banna. Believers of Om Banna make a wish at the temple and return on fulfillment to offer Om Banna a bottle of alcohol.
All in all, the Bullet Baba temple is unlike anything you’ll see! As a curious traveler, you must make a stop if you’re in and around Jodhpur.
Devotee offering Om Banna Old Monk
Where is the Royal Enfield Temple exactly?
The Om Banna Temple or Bullet Baba temple is located on the National Highway 65 in the Chotila village – Rohat between Jodhpur and Pali. The nearest big town is Jodhpur, 50kms away.
===
Liked this Post? Also check out….
Goa’s Sao Joao Festival – A Tradition to jump into Wells and Lakes
===
Join me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more travel stories. Subscribe to this blog to receive instant notifications of my new posts in your inbox.
