The Om Banna temple is a religious shrine near Jodhpur in Rajasthan featuring a sacred, legendary motorcycle as the deity hence also called Bullet Baba. I visited here last month after traveling 50 kilometers from Jodphur towards Pali and it was a prominent place that I could not miss for there are several small and big hotels and attractive shops right on the Jodhpur-Pali highway around the temple.
Banna is a honorary word used for a Rajput or Rajasthani youth. Om Banna whose real name Om Singh Rathore owned a 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet. On December 2, 1988, he was traveling from a place called Bangdi to Chotila and on losing control of his motorcycle hit a tree and died on the spot. The motorcycle fell into a nearby ditch. After the police took the motorcycle to the police station it was reported to have mysteriously disappeared from the station the next day and was found back at the site of the incident.
The Police, took the motorcycle once again and also emptied the fuel tank, put it under lock and key. Despite this, the Royal Enfield Bullet disappeared once again and was found at the accident site. Legend says that the motorcycle kept returning to the same ditch despite repeated efforts by the police.
This was considered a miracle by people of the region and the news of the miraculous motorcycle spread to nearby villages. They began worshipping the Bullet Bike and later also built a temple to worship that is known as “Bullet Baba’s Temple.” It is widely believed that Om Banna’s spirit helps distressed travelers so I prayed here for safe travels.
When you are visiting the Om Banna temple, don’t miss the evening aarti which is an experience in itself thanks to these two dozen bells that ring for about 30 minutes at a stretch taking you to a high on the spiritual path.
The Om Banna temple is very small by itself and does not have a covered structure. The main pedestal of the temple has a photo of Om Banna Ji and also his small bust statue.
There is also the Om Banna Aarati printed on a large flex board from which I could read and chan along with other devotees. The timing for the Aarati is usually just after sunset during the twilight hours.
Near the entrance are several donation boxes made out of Dalada ghee empty boxes and most of those are towards GouShala or cow shelters that are abundant in this part of India.
Also outside the temple are musical performers who play instruments like a Harmonium and a Dholak in this case and also sing along to earn a livelihood. They are neither homeless people nor beggars but folk artists who are keeping the traditions alive. I normally donate them generously.
Lassi and Rabadi being my weak points I also tried these in the nearby restaurants and found the taste to be unique and awesome.
Apart from these, there is an assortment of traditional fancy items to purchase like this multicolored purse with a Swastik adorning it. I purchased this because the Swastik is a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.
Accessibility Features
The temple has an accessible entrance and also a ramp along with a couple of spare wheelchairs for the differently-abled to explore the temple premises. There are a dedicated and accessible 2-wheeler and 4-wheeler parking as well.
Here’s a snapshot:
Ramp Access.
A wheelchair-accessible Entrance.
A wheelchair-accessible Parking.
A wheelchair-accessible Restroom/Toilet.