Bullet Baba

There is a temple about 70km from Jodhpur. A Royal Enfield Bullet is the god worshipped there. Yes. And I am not making this up. The place is called Bullet Baba temple.

The story goes that a person named Om Banna met with an accident on the highway and his bike fell into a ditch. Police recovered the bike and took it to the police station. The next day the bike was missing from the station and it was found in the accident spot. Doubting someone might have done a prank they brought it back, took out all the petrol and chained the bike in the station. Next day again the bike teleported itself magically to the accident spot. Clearly the bike had super natural powers and hence a temple for the bike was made in the spot where the accident took place. Interesting story right? That’s Rajasthan for you. It’s filled with such stories.

There is proper puja done in the temple. It’s right on the highway as the accident took place over there. A lot of people visit the temple everyday. There has also been other stories of a mysterious man who helped people on the highway. A lady met with an accident and a man helped her and got her to the hospital. At the hospital she was unable to find him and she described him to have an Om tattoo on his hand. Her description matched Om Banna.

There is a proper Arti also that is specific for this temple. It’s called Om Banna Arti. Vehicles pray to this temple whenever they pass this highway for a safe journey. Most buses and trucks that pass the highway take a quick pause and then continue their journey.

For a weird temple like this, the offering that is done is also weird. I thought it would be petrol but no. It’s alcohol. You can see people bringing bottles of alcohol a feeding it to the mouth of Om Banna statue. Look at the lips of the statue. You will understand. We say don’t drink and drive. But alcohol is the offering made here.

This is the first time I have heard and seen a temple for a Bullet. The Royal Enfield is such a popular vehicle and it has been a dependable, sturdy and stylish vehicle for years. Generation over generation are still attracted to the vehicle and want to own one. A temple for it is definitely worth it.