Sleeping Hanuman Temple Aurangabad — Complete Bhadra Maruti Guide

The Sleeping Hanuman Temple Aurangabad is better known locally as Bhadra Maruti, a quiet and much-loved shrine in Khuldabad, a short drive from Ellora Caves. What makes it special is the idol itself: instead of the usual standing or flying Hanuman, here Lord Hanuman is shown in a reclining pose, which is why visitors call it the “sleeping Hanuman”. This guide explains the legend, what to expect, the best days to visit and how to reach it comfortably by taxi from Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar).

About the Sleeping Hanuman Temple Aurangabad

Many travellers search for the sleeping Hanuman temple Aurangabad without knowing its formal name. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, and “Bhadra” is generally understood to mean auspicious, while “Maruti” is another name for Hanuman. It stands in Khuldabad, the historic town also known for its dargahs and the tomb of Aurangzeb, which makes the area a rare place where several traditions sit side by side within a few kilometres.

Unlike the busy city temples, the sleeping Hanuman temple in Aurangabad district feels calm and unhurried, especially on weekday mornings. Devotees come to offer prayers, while sightseers often stop here as part of a wider Ellora trip. If you only have a day for the region, it fits naturally into a route that also includes Ellora Caves and Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga.

Legend of Bhadra Maruti

Local tradition connects the temple with a king named Bhadrasena, who is said to have ruled this area when Khuldabad was known as Bhadravati. He was a devotee of Lord Rama and would sing hymns in his praise. According to the popular story, Hanuman came to listen, became so absorbed in the devotional songs that he unknowingly settled into a reclining, meditative posture known as Bhava-samadhi. The astonished king prayed to Hanuman and requested him to stay and bless the devotees, and the idol is said to represent that moment.

Another version is also told locally, in which a sage named Bhadra is connected to the place and Hanuman agrees to remain here as an idol. Because these accounts come from oral tradition and temple belief rather than from a single historical record, it is best to treat them as local legend. Many devotees also believe the idol is swayambhu (self-manifested), and it is traditionally associated with Swami Samarth Ramdas. The details differ between sources, and the temple priests are the best people to ask on the spot.

The Reclining Idol

The main attraction of the Sleeping Hanuman Temple Aurangabad is its reclining idol of Hanuman, shown in a relaxed, meditative pose rather than in action. The temple is commonly described as one of only three temples in India with Hanuman in this posture; the other two are generally listed as Prayagraj (Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh and Jam Sawali in Madhya Pradesh. This rarity is exactly why people actively search for the sleeping Hanuman temple Aurangabad instead of just the name Bhadra Maruti.

The temple is described as blending North Indian and South Indian styles of architecture, and the compound is simple and welcoming rather than grand. Expect a modest shrine, a few shops outside selling flowers and offerings, and a peaceful atmosphere. It is a short stop, usually enough time for darshan, a few photographs where permitted, and a quiet pause.

Where Is It & How to Reach

The Sleeping Hanuman Temple Aurangabad is in Khuldabad, roughly 4 km from Ellora Caves and about 30 km from Aurangabad city. There is no direct local train or metro, so most visitors choose a private taxi. The nearest airport is Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport, and the nearest railway station is Aurangabad Railway Station, so you can arrive and continue by road. Our airport taxi in Aurangabad service is useful if you land and want to go straight on a temple and caves day trip.

Siya Travels offers chauffeur-driven cars for local sightseeing across Maharashtra. If you want to visit the sleeping Hanuman temple Aurangabad along with other stops, you can book through our Aurangabad taxi service and the driver will plan the order of the stops so you avoid backtracking.

Staying near the CIDCO area? See our CIDCO Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar taxi service. If you also plan a pilgrimage, check the 3 Jyotirlinga tour package from Aurangabad.

Best Days & Festivals

Hanuman temples are traditionally busiest on Saturdays, and here devotees are especially said to gather on Saturdays during the Marathi month of Shravan. Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami are also celebrated on a large scale and draw bigger crowds. If you prefer a calm darshan, a weekday morning is usually more relaxed, while festival days offer a lively atmosphere but longer waits.

Weather matters too. Summers in Marathwada can be hot, so early morning is more comfortable between April and June, while the monsoon makes the surrounding hills green and pleasant. Winter is generally the easiest season for a full day of sightseeing around Khuldabad and Ellora. Temple timings and aarti schedules can change, so please confirm locally before you travel.

Combine With Ellora, Grishneshwar & Khuldabad

One strong reason to include the sleeping Hanuman temple Aurangabad in your plan is how close it sits to other major sites. Ellora Caves are about 4 km away, and Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is also in the same stretch, so a well-planned day can cover all of them. You can read more in our Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga complete guide and our Ajanta and Ellora caves from Aurangabad page.

A common plan is to start early with Grishneshwar darshan, continue to Ellora Caves, then stop at Bhadra Maruti and walk through Khuldabad before heading back. If you are travelling with family or elders, tell the driver in advance so the pace stays comfortable. For a wider temple list, see our temples in Aurangabad guide, and for the city’s other Hanuman shrine, read about the Aurangabad Hanuman Mandir.

Visitor Tips

• Dress modestly and remove footwear before entering the shrine.
• Carry small cash for flowers and offerings, and keep valuables minimal.
• Photography rules can vary inside the sanctum, so follow the priests’ instructions.
• Avoid peak Saturday and festival hours if you dislike crowds.
• Keep water and a cap handy in summer, as the walk from parking can be sunny.
• Confirm timings locally, since they can change on special days.

Whether you are a devotee or a curious traveller, the sleeping Hanuman temple Aurangabad adds a memorable spiritual stop to an Ellora day trip, and it takes little extra time when planned with a driver who knows the route.

Sleeping Hanuman Temple Aurangabad — FAQs

1. Where is the Sleeping Hanuman Temple in Aurangabad?

The sleeping Hanuman temple, known as Bhadra Maruti, is in Khuldabad near Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), about 4 km from Ellora Caves and roughly 30 km from the city.

2. Why is Hanuman shown sleeping at Bhadra Maruti?

According to local legend, Hanuman came to listen to King Bhadrasena’s hymns to Lord Rama and became so absorbed that he took a reclining posture called Bhava-samadhi. The idol is believed to represent that moment.

3. Is Bhadra Maruti the same as the sleeping Hanuman temple?

Yes. Bhadra Maruti is the formal name, while “sleeping Hanuman temple” is the popular description because the idol is reclining.

4. How many reclining Hanuman temples are there in India?

The Khuldabad temple is commonly described as one of three such temples, the others being in Prayagraj (Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh and Jam Sawali in Madhya Pradesh.

5. Which day is best to visit the Sleeping Hanuman Temple Aurangabad?

Saturdays are traditionally important, especially in the Marathi month of Shravan, and Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami are big festival days. For fewer crowds, choose a weekday morning.

6. Can I visit Bhadra Maruti along with Ellora Caves?

Yes. It is only around 4 km from Ellora Caves, so it is easy to combine with Ellora and Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga in one day by taxi.

7. How can I reach the Sleeping Hanuman Temple Aurangabad by taxi?

Book a private car from Aurangabad city, the airport or the railway station. Siya Travels can arrange a chauffeur-driven taxi that covers the temple, Ellora Caves and Khuldabad in a single trip.

8. What should I keep in mind before visiting the temple?

Dress modestly, carry small cash for offerings, follow photography rules shown at the shrine and confirm timings locally before you travel, as they can change on festival days.