No Hanuman, No Maruti: The Bizarre Village In Maharashtra Where ‘Devil’ Is Worshipped
No Hanuman, No Maruti: The Bizarre Village In Maharashtra Where 'Devil' Is Worshipped
Nandur Nimba Daitya is a small village in Pathardi tehsil, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, reportedly known for its unusual local beliefs. Located about 24 km from Pathardi and 66 km from the district headquarters, the village is said to worship Nimba Daitya, a local deity, instead of Lord Hanuman. No Hanuman temples, images, or even names linked to Hanuman, including the popular Maruti car, are reportedly found here.
Locals allegedly believe that Hanuman’s presence brings misfortune. Traditions in the village reportedly ban not only temples and idols but also names referring to Hanuman or “Maruti.” The villagers reportedly avoid buying Maruti-branded cars, believing them to invite bad luck .
This unusual belief made headlines years ago when a story from the village reportedly caught public attention. It was claimed that a local doctor witnessed a sudden drop in his patient count after he purchased a Maruti 800 car. According to reports, the doctor later sold the vehicle and bought a Tata Sumo, after which things were said to have returned to normal.
Stories from the village also allege that people named Maruti often fall ill, and even hearing loud Maruti car horns is believed to bring discomfort. In one such reported case, labourers working nearby with the name Maruti allegedly faced misfortunes, which subsided only after rituals were performed at the Nimba Daitya temple.
Folk Tale Origins
The local legend goes that Hanuman and Nimba Daitya once fought. After both collapsed, Lord Rama is said to have intervened and granted Nimba Daitya permission to be worshipped as the village protector, while Hanuman was removed from that role. Villagers allegedly believe the region once formed part of the mythical Dandakaranya forest, and that Nimba Daitya serves as their divine guardian.
Apart from Hanuman, villagers continue to worship other deities such as Ganesh, Krishna, and Sai Baba, which allegedly carry no taboo . While many may label these practices as superstition, villagers allegedly stand firmly by their beliefs.
Nandur Nimba Daitya’s unique traditions continue to draw attention. This Maharashtra village serves as a rare reminder of how deeply local folklore and belief systems can shape community life, even in modern times.
