Shri Sankatmochan Panchamukhi Hanuman Mandir is situated on a scenic hill in the Bellori–Babulkheda area of Saoner taluka in Nagpur district, Maharashtra. The temple is around 3 km from Patansaongi and about 7 km from the famous Koradi temple.
The temple is regarded locally as an ancient and जागृत (spiritually powerful) shrine. Local tradition says that it is several centuries old and some accounts even claim that the shrine existed before the period of the Nagpur Bhosales. However, no dated inscription or authoritative historical record has so far been found to establish its exact age.
The presiding deity is Lord Hanuman in his powerful Panchamukhi, or five-faced, form. The five faces are traditionally identified as Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha and Hayagriva. Together, these forms represent divine strength, courage, protection, removal of obstacles, victory over evil and spiritual wisdom.
The deity is worshipped here as Sankatmochan Hanuman – the remover of difficulties and protector of devotees. The temple attracts large numbers of devotees, particularly on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The temple stands on a naturally elevated hill, giving it a peaceful and distinctive setting. Rather than being known for elaborate architectural ornamentation, its principal attraction is the combination of the sacred hill shrine, greenery, and panoramic surroundings.
Although the exact foundation date of the temple is unknown, the shrine has long been regarded by the local community as an important ancient Hanuman temple. Its location on the hill and its association with Panchamukhi Hanuman have made it an important centre of worship for devotees from Bellori, Babulkheda, Patansaongi, Saoner and Nagpur.
The Panchamukhi form of Lord Hanuman is traditionally associated with the episode of Ahiravana in the Ramayana tradition. According to this well-known devotional tradition, Ahiravana, the ruler of the netherworld, took Shri Rama and Lakshmana to his realm. Hanuman entered the underworld to rescue them and discovered that the life of Ahiravana was connected to five lamps placed in different directions.
To extinguish all five lamps simultaneously, Hanuman assumed the Panchamukhi form, with the five faces of Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha and Hayagriva. He extinguished the five lamps and defeated Ahiravana, thereby rescuing Shri Rama and Lakshmana.
This sacred story explains the religious significance of Panchamukhi Hanuman and the form worshipped at Bellori.
Tuesdays and Saturdays are considered especially important for worship at the temple, when large numbers of devotees visit. Maha Aarti is performed in the morning and evening on these days. Hanuman Jayanti and other important Hanuman-related occasions are marked with special pujas, aartis and prasad distribution.
