Hi everyone, This is Sagar, and I am here with an interesting fact, or should I say an interesting story about a temple. Have you ever wondered, what if there is a temple for bullet bikes? Is that a surprised look on your face? Yes, that’s the type of expression I would show if I were you. Yes, you heard right; there is really a temple like that , a temple where a Royal Enfield Bullet is worshipped like a god!
This is the Bullet Baba Temple, or Om Banna Dham, a place where faith and horsepower cross together. Let me tell you, it’s got everything—mystery, miracles, and a whole lot of heart. So, hop on, and let’s ride through the legend of Bullet Baba!
The Mysterious Tale of Om Banna
Travelling back to old times, that is 1988. There’s this guy, Om Singh Rathore, a local from Chotila village, who’s got this unbreakable bond with his Royal Enfield Bullet, like boys like us are. You know how it is with us—our bikes aren’t just machines; they’re family.
Om was no different. He’d ride his Bullet down these desert roads, the “dug dug” echoing like a heartbeat, enjoying every day. But sometimes life goes unplanned. One fateful night, tragedy struck. He lost control, crashed into a tree, and didn’t make it, and that day, we lost the man. It’s a sad and tragic story, the kind that makes you pause and think about the risks we take on the road.
The police did what they do—they towed the bike to the station. But here’s where things get a little strange. The next morning, the bike was gone. Vanished from a locked-up police station! They found it back at the crash site, sitting there like nothing happened.
The cops dragged it back, chained it up, and even emptied the fuel tank. But night after night, that bullet kept returning to the spot where Om lost his life. “Baba’s spirit wouldn’t let that bike stay away,” he told me. I’ll be honest, I got goosebumps right there under the desert sun.
This wasn’t just a prank. To the locals, it was a miracle, a sign that Om’s spirit was still tied to his beloved Bullet, watching over the highway. That’s when they decided this wasn’t just any bike—it was something sacred, connected to the man.
A Bike Becomes a Deity( Bullet Baba)
The villagers didn’t waste time. They built a temple right at the crash site, placing Om’s Royal Enfield in a glass case, where it still sits today, 37 years later. They called it Om Banna Dham, but to everyone else, it’s the Bullet Baba Temple. That bike isn’t just a relic; it’s a protector, a guardian for every traveller on NH-62. Bikers, truckers, and even families in rickety cars stop here to pray for a safe journey. So, remember to pray for a safe journey there if you visit someday or maybe meet with his spirit. It’s like Om Banna’s spirit took the handlebars, vowing to keep the roads safe.
The Living Soul of the Temple(Bullet Baba)
Stepping into the Bullet Baba Temple is like walking into a story you can feel.
The temple tells the story itself; you just have to feel it with your soul. The air smells of incense, the glass case around the Bullet gleams under the desert sun, and the tree from the accident—still standing tall—is covered in red threads, bangles, and scarves, like it’s part of the magic
Bikers come with flowers, coconuts, and—here’s the kicker—tiny bottles of desi liquor as prasad. It’s a nod to Om’s love for life, and locals say it’s what Bullet Baba likes.
They say if you honour Bullet Baba, your journey will be smooth. But if you skip the temple, you might hit a flat tire or worse, you know. The temple’s open from 6 AM to 9 PM, no entry fee; just bring an open heart. There’s an eternal flame burning for Om Banna, and the tree, draped in offerings, feels like it’s watching over the place. It’s not just a shrine; it’s a community, a place where faith and the love of the road meet.
A Haven for Bikers and Believers( Bullet Baba)
This temple is a pilgrimage for anyone who feels the call of the highway. Bikers, especially here, some riding hundreds of miles from Jaipur, Delhi, or even Gujarat, say thanks for safe travels. Locals swear that Om Banna’s spirit is still out there, helping stranded travellers or calming dangerous roads. That’s the power of this place—it’s where belief and the biker’s soul come together, creating a vibe you can’t find anywhere else.
A Legend That Rides Beyond Rajasthan
The story of Bullet Baba isn’t just a local tale—it’s gone global. It inspired a Bollywood movie called Dug Dug, named after that unmistakable Royal Enfield sound that every biker knows by heart. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2021, is based on faith, folklore, and the cult of the Bullet. It’s not a clear reflection, but it captures the spirit of this place, putting Chotila on the world stage.
It’s not just about a bike or a tragedy—it’s about how a community turned loss into something sacred, something that speaks to every rider who’s ever felt the road’s pull.
But it’s more than a movie. The temple draws travellers from across India and beyond, all chasing the legend.
It’s a place where a motorcycle became a miracle, where faith and the love of the ride weave together. Have you visited the Bullet Baba Temple?
If you have ever visited this place or any other places like this, comment below. I would also like to know about other places like this; these are interesting things.
With this, I stop my words; it’s already too long, and long tales are boring, you feel right. Ok then, let’s meet again in the next post with a new topic. With this, I bid farewell.
Also read this – Arunachalam Temple 2025: Latest News, Festivals & Pilgrimage Guide