You might have seen a lot of temples, but have you ever thought about a temple where Bike (Enfield) is worshiped?
This place is 50 km away from Jodphur on the highway to Pali, near Chotila village.
This place is an accident prone site, hence a sign board has been put up to tell the traveler and commuters to slow down.
It is know for 'Bullet Baba' (Om Banna). Hundreds of devotees turn up every day to pray for a safe journey, often bearing liquor.
It may sound bit surprising to most of people but its a really divine place for nearby people as well for most of vehicles passing highway. Every day nearby villagers and travelers stop and pray to the bike and its late owner Om Singh Rathore. The temple beside the Enfield motorbike has a big picture of Om Banna.
It is said that a person who does not stop to pray at the shrine is in for a dangerous journey. The story goes that back in 1991, on a fateful summer night, Om Bana was returning from Pali to his native Chotila on his Bullet 350 when it skidded and hit a tree, killing him on the spot. The tree stands over the battered vehicle till date. Villagers say after Om Bana’s death, the motorbike was taken to a local police station. But next day morning, it was found at the accident spot.
Police initially thought it was a prank and after emptying the fuel tank they brought the bike back to the
station. However, the motorcycle was again at the accident spot the next day. As soon as the story spread, people in the nearby village built a platform on the spot where the death occurred and started offering prayers. Many shops offering incense sticks, flowers, coconut and red thread meant for offering prayers have sprung up near the shrine. Local people sing folk songs in the name of Om Bana who owned the Royal Enfield. The cause of his death, the tree itself remains ornamented with offerings of bangles, scarves and rope. The temple even has its own priest, who has been incharge of the upkeep of the shrine for two decades.
Travellers, especially drivers of vehicles that pass by, offer prayers at the site, which is almost in the middle of the road. Some drivers also offer a small bottle of country liquor at the site.
A mini-economy has sprouted around the shrine. Over the last few years, at least a dozen shops have come up around its premises, selling everything from religious offerings like flowers, incense sticks, kumkum, turmeric and camphor to memorabilia including VCDs, audio tapes, key chains, necklaces, charms, rings and of course, photographs of Om Bana in all sizes.
You may hardly find any tourist vehicle not having memento of 'Om Banna' for his divine blessings in it :)
This place is 50 km away from Jodphur on the highway to Pali, near Chotila village.
This place is an accident prone site, hence a sign board has been put up to tell the traveler and commuters to slow down.
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| Om Banna Bike |
It may sound bit surprising to most of people but its a really divine place for nearby people as well for most of vehicles passing highway. Every day nearby villagers and travelers stop and pray to the bike and its late owner Om Singh Rathore. The temple beside the Enfield motorbike has a big picture of Om Banna.
It is said that a person who does not stop to pray at the shrine is in for a dangerous journey. The story goes that back in 1991, on a fateful summer night, Om Bana was returning from Pali to his native Chotila on his Bullet 350 when it skidded and hit a tree, killing him on the spot. The tree stands over the battered vehicle till date. Villagers say after Om Bana’s death, the motorbike was taken to a local police station. But next day morning, it was found at the accident spot.
Police initially thought it was a prank and after emptying the fuel tank they brought the bike back to the
 |
| Om Banna |
Travellers, especially drivers of vehicles that pass by, offer prayers at the site, which is almost in the middle of the road. Some drivers also offer a small bottle of country liquor at the site.
A mini-economy has sprouted around the shrine. Over the last few years, at least a dozen shops have come up around its premises, selling everything from religious offerings like flowers, incense sticks, kumkum, turmeric and camphor to memorabilia including VCDs, audio tapes, key chains, necklaces, charms, rings and of course, photographs of Om Bana in all sizes.
You may hardly find any tourist vehicle not having memento of 'Om Banna' for his divine blessings in it :)
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