Bageshwar Dham Balaji Temple
Hanuman (worshipped as Balaji) temple · Gadha (Garha), Rajnagar tehsil, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Bageshwar Dham Balaji Temple is a Hindu shrine to Hanuman, worshipped here as Balaji. It stands at Gadha village (also spelled Garha or Gada) in Rajnagar tehsil of Chhatarpur district, in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. Wikipedia describes it as a religious complex that holds gatherings and devotional programmes throughout the year.
The dham is led by the preacher Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, its peethadhishwar (head). Over the past few years it has grown from a village shrine into a large pilgrimage centre, as reported by Outlook and The Quint. This page covers the temple itself: its shrines, worship and how to get there.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Bageshwar Dham Balaji Temple
The main object of worship is Balaji, a popular name for Hanuman in north India. Outlook reported in 2025 that every visitor is expected to go first to the old Balaji temple before entering the newly built hall where large gatherings are held. A 2026 Amar Ujala report says the complex also includes a shrine of Bageshwar Mahadev (Shiva) and a shrine of Sannyasi Baba. According to that report, Sannyasi Baba is believed to have performed sadhana (spiritual practice) at the site more than three centuries ago.
Tuesday, traditionally Hanuman's day, is the busiest day. Outlook described the dham filling with very large crowds on Tuesdays, with many pilgrims waiting and sleeping outside the hall. The same report describes the temple's maha aarti as a central part of worship at the dham.
The dham marks Hanuman's birth anniversary on Narak Chaturdashi (Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi, the day before Diwali). Amar Ujala reported that on this day in 2025 the dham's head performed puja, archana and a havan at the Balaji shrine. The report notes that Hanuman's birth is observed on this date in some regional traditions.
Heritage
History of Bageshwar Dham Balaji Temple
Reliable independent sources say little about the shrine's early history. The tradition at the dham links its origins to Sannyasi Baba, whose sadhana there is placed several centuries ago. Neither the age of the Balaji image nor the date of the old temple building is established in any archaeological or official record we could find, so both are best treated as unrecorded.
The recent growth is better recorded. Outlook reported in 2025 that, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Gadha had few roads or hotels and little work beyond farming and labour. Since then, roads, a new hall, a large open ground, a market street, water tanks and new housing have been built around the dham. The Quint (April 2025) described Gadha as a once-quiet Bundelkhand village of roughly 3,300 people that has been reshaped around the shrine. It also reported plans to settle about 1,000 families within the Bageshwar Dham premises.
On 23 February 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Bageshwar Dham Medical and Science Research Institute in the village, according to Wikipedia, which cites the Prime Minister's Office. The institute is planned with a cancer treatment centre to serve Bundelkhand and neighbouring regions.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Expect very heavy crowds on Tuesdays and on festival days, with long waits. Outlook reported that donations are optional and that there is no ticket for darshan. Arrangements for special audiences and the hall change often, so confirm current darshan timings, event dates and entry arrangements with the Bageshwar Dham administration before you travel. Keep to the queue system and follow the instructions of temple volunteers and local police.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Bageshwar Dham, headed by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri (peethadhishwar) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Bageshwar Dham Balaji Temple
Hanuman Janmotsav (Balaji Janmotsav)
Hanuman's birth anniversary is celebrated at the dham on Narak Chaturdashi with puja, archana and a havan at the Balaji shrine, as Amar Ujala reported in 2025.
Weekly Tuesday darshan
Tuesday, Hanuman's day, draws the largest weekly crowds to the dham, according to Outlook.
Location
How to Reach Bageshwar Dham Balaji Temple
Gadha is in Rajnagar tehsil of Chhatarpur district. The Quint places it about 20 km from Khajuraho and about 350 km from Bhopal. Wikipedia notes that the village is connected by road to Rajnagar, Chhatarpur, Khajuraho and Panna. Khajuraho, which has an airport, is the nearest large town.
Outlook reported a railway station about three kilometres from the dham, which was renamed in January 2025. Check the current station name and train services with Indian Railways before travelling.
Location: Gadha (Garha), Rajnagar tehsil, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Nearest airport: Khajuraho (the Quint puts Gadha about 20 km from Khajuraho)
Nearest railway station: A station about 3 km from the dham (per Outlook, 2025)
More in Hindu temples in Madhya Pradesh · Hanuman (worshipped as Balaji) temples · Temples in Rajnagar Tehsil · Temples in Chhatarpur District
Questions
Bageshwar Dham Balaji Temple: Frequently Asked Questions
Which deity is worshipped at Bageshwar Dham?
The main deity is Hanuman, worshipped as Balaji. The complex also has a shrine of Bageshwar Mahadev (Shiva) and a shrine of Sannyasi Baba.
Where is Bageshwar Dham?
It is in Gadha (Garha) village, Rajnagar tehsil, Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh. The Quint places it about 20 km from Khajuraho.
Which day is busiest at Bageshwar Dham?
Tuesday. Outlook reported very large Tuesday crowds, with pilgrims often waiting a long time and sleeping outside the hall.
Who is Sannyasi Baba?
He is a holy man venerated at the dham, which has a shrine to him. According to a 2026 Amar Ujala report, he is believed to have performed spiritual practice at the site more than three centuries ago.
When is Hanuman Jayanti celebrated at Bageshwar Dham?
The dham celebrates Hanuman's birth anniversary on Narak Chaturdashi, the day before Diwali, with puja, archana and a havan at the Balaji shrine.
Is there an entry fee for darshan?
Outlook reported in 2025 that donations are optional and there is no ticket for darshan. Confirm current arrangements with the dham before visiting.
Sources and attribution
- Wikipedia — Bageshwar Dham Balaji Temple
- Wikipedia — Gadha, Chhatarpur
- Outlook — In Bageshwar Baba's Land, A City Built On Religious Tourism (10 March 2025)
- The Quint — Bageshwar Baba's 'Hindu village' in Gadha, Madhya Pradesh (17 April 2025)
- Amar Ujala — Balaji Hanuman Janmotsav celebrated at Bageshwar Dham on Narak Chaturdashi (20 October 2025)
- Amar Ujala — Sadhguru visits Bageshwar Dham, offers prayers at Balaji (14 March 2026)
Further reading: Bageshwar Dham Balaji Temple on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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