Makrampur Hanuman Temple

The Makrampur Hanuman Temple, located 30km east of Darbhanga near Benipur, is a unique spiritual landmark revered for its distinct 200-year-old flag-hoisting (dwajarohan) tradition. Unlike most Hanuman temples that celebrate on Ram Navami, this shrine's grandest festival occurs on the morning of Bhadra Krishna Paksha Navami, the day following Janmashtami. What began with a single flag now sees 8,000 to 10,000 saffron and red 'dhwajas' hoisted annually, creating a mesmerizing 'sea of flags' atop towering bamboo poles. The origins of this tradition are steeped in local legend. One prominent narrative credits a divine intervention during a devastating cholera epidemic, where the temple priest was instructed in a dream to hoist a flag for the village's protection. Another historical account suggests the tradition began after villagers won a significant land dispute against the Darbhanga Raj, marking their victory with a flag offering. The ritual follows a strict Vedic process: devotees prepare a specific 'Chabh' bamboo, purify it with vermilion and 'pithar' (rice paste), and tie a sacred thread (Janeu) before hoisting. The offering is incomplete without 'Chuda-Dahi' (beaten rice and yogurt) and the mandatory feeding of Brahmins and unmarried girls (kanya-bhojan).