Mehandipur Balaji Temple is a very popular religious destination in India. Located in the Karauli district of Rajasthan State, the chief deity of this temple is Lord Hanuman. In several parts of India, Hanuman is also fondly called as Balaji (meaning venerable boy) as the childhood form is highly desired by the devotees. The central feature of the temple is the ritualistic healing and exorcism of evil spirits that is done here.As a highly sought after destination for casting magic spells, black magic activities, ritualistic healing of ailments and exorcism of evil spirits, Mehendipur Balaji temple is renowned through the world. In the year 2013, a team of scientists, intellectuals and psychiatrists from Germany and Netherlands and AIIMS and University of Delhi began a research study to evaluate the activities of the temple in detail.Mehandipur is no more a village. It is a small town with a heavy inflow of visitors, devotees and the affected. Upon entering Mehandipur, a visitor would find small shops lining up and the people busy with their regular daily chores. Once the visitors near the temple complex, they see a long line of devotees waiting to have a darshan of the Lord in the sanctum sanctorum. The shopkeepers sell materials for worship to those lined up in the queues. The most popular items they sell are black coloured balls (some eatable) that are not to be consumed, but only thrown into fire in atoning for sins.The temple atmosphere of the temple is very well reflected in its architecture too. The temple complex is divided into four chambers. Loud and scary squeaking, yelling and shouting of the so called possessed victims fill the entire atmosphere inside the temple. The affected groups consist of children, men and women of all ages. In the first two chambers, the deities of Lord Hanuman and Bhairon are found. In the ceremonial fire, the devotees are expected to throw the black balls they purchased from outside. It is said the chief deity Hanuman is so powerful that it can ward off any kind of evil forces.Several ritualistic healings and exorcism of evil spirits go on in the temple round the year. The possessed are found screaming and banging their heads on the pillars inside. The temple priests are found chaining people to the rocks and whipping them as a mark of driving the evil spirits. It is said every day several evil spirits are driven from the bodies of the possessed here.If people are ever curious to visit the temple sometime in their lives, they are given the following instructions for their own good. It is not advisable to eat or drink anything immediately after entering the village. Inside the temple, one must be cautious not to touch anyone or talk to them. While leaving the temple for their homes, carrying Prasad or eatables is not advised.The water bottles and food packets are to be fully emptied in the village before leaving. Since it is most likely that several evil spirits might be watching you, you must not turn back to glance at the source of any weird sound.