Kashtabhanjan Dev, the Remover of Sorrow
In the town of Sarangpur in Gujarat's Botad district stands the temple of Kashtabhanjan Dev, a revered form of Hanuman whose very name means the one who breaks or removes hardship. Devotees from across Gujarat and beyond travel here specifically to seek relief from difficulties in life, whether personal, health related or spiritual.
The temple is associated with the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, and the murti here is believed to have been consecrated with special spiritual power, making it one of the most visited Hanuman shrines in western India.
History and the Consecration Story
Tradition traces the temple's origins to the era of Gopalanand Swami, a senior disciple of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, who is said to have installed the murti of Hanuman here with deep spiritual intent, imbuing it with power to counter negative influences and ease suffering. Over generations, the temple's reputation for providing relief to troubled devotees grew, and it became a pilgrimage destination in its own right.
The temple complex has been maintained and expanded over time by the Swaminarayan tradition, and today it stands as both a place of Hanuman worship and a site connected to the broader Swaminarayan devotional heritage of Gujarat.
Significance and What Devotees Pray For
Devotees visit Kashtabhanjan Dev with deep faith that sincere prayer here can ease burdens of the mind and body. As per tradition, the temple is especially sought out by those seeking relief from mental distress, negative energies and prolonged hardship.
- Devotees offer prayers for relief from suffering and mental unrest
- Many perform sankalp or offer chunri and oil as traditional gestures of devotion
- The temple is considered a place of hope for families facing prolonged difficulty
- Regular satsang and kirtan are held, reflecting the Swaminarayan devotional style
Darshan Guide, Timings and Festivals
The temple follows a structured daily schedule of mangala darshan in the early morning through to shayan darshan in the evening, typical of Swaminarayan temple tradition, with aarti performed at fixed intervals. Devotees are welcomed throughout the day for darshan and prayer.
Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated here on a grand scale, and Saturdays consistently see larger crowds, as do major Swaminarayan festivals observed at the temple through the year.
How to Reach Sarangpur
Sarangpur is located in Botad district of Gujarat, well connected by road to Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Rajkot. The nearest railway station is Botad, with regular trains connecting to major Gujarat cities.
The nearest airport is at Ahmedabad, which offers the widest connectivity for devotees travelling from other states.
Mantra to Chant and the Takeaway
Devotees at Sarangpur often chant Om Kashtabhanjanaya Namah along with verses from the Hanuman Chalisa, particularly the line Sankat kate mite sab peera, invoking relief from sorrow and pain through sincere devotion.
The temple's very name is a reminder that faith can be a steady companion through life's hardships. Worship here is an act of faith and love, not a transaction, and devotees are encouraged to combine prayer with patience and right effort.
Quick Answers
What is Kashtabhanjan Dev known for?+
Kashtabhanjan Dev is a form of Hanuman worshipped in Sarangpur, Gujarat, believed by devotees to help remove sorrow, hardship and negative influences from the lives of sincere devotees.
Which tradition is the Sarangpur temple connected to?+
The temple is connected to the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, with tradition tracing its establishment to Gopalanand Swami, a senior disciple of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
How can one reach Sarangpur temple?+
Sarangpur is in Botad district of Gujarat, reachable by road from Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Rajkot, with Botad as the nearest railway station and Ahmedabad as the nearest major airport.
About the author
Pandit Ravindra Sharma · Vedic Rituals & Bhakti, 22+ years
Pandit Ravindra is the Vandnaa editorial team's resident specialist on aarti, chalisa, and daily devotion. He has performed home and temple pujas across Varanasi and Delhi for over two decades and contributes the bhakti-focused articles on this site.
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