A stray dog’s repeated circling around idols at a Hanuman temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district has drawn massive crowds, with many devotees interpreting the act as a divine sign or miracle.
BY PC Bureau
January 18, 2026: A stray dog has captured widespread attention and ignited intense debate in rural Uttar Pradesh after it was seen continuously performing parikrama (circumambulation) around deities at an ancient temple.
The unusual incident occurred at a historic Hanuman temple in Nandpur village, Nagina tehsil of Bijnor district. According to local residents and videos that began circulating widely on social media in early January 2026, the dog appeared at the temple on a Monday morning and began repeatedly circling the idol of Lord Hanuman.
Witnesses claim the animal continued the behavior for more than 36 hours—and in some accounts, several days—without stopping to eat or drink, pausing only briefly to rest before resuming its circular movement. By the third day, the dog reportedly shifted to the idol of Maa Durga within the same temple complex, repeating the same motion around the goddess.
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Devotees described the sight as mesmerizing, noting that the dog showed no fear of the swelling crowds and appeared intensely focused, almost trance-like. The phenomenon soon drew hundreds of visitors from nearby villages and distant areas. Many locals interpreted the act as a divine sign or chamatkar, with some hailing the animal as a manifestation of Bhairava—a fierce form of Lord Shiva traditionally associated with dogs—or reverently calling it “Kutta Maharaj.”
Videos from the temple show devotees offering prasad, applying tilak, touching the dog’s feet for blessings, and chanting slogans, while a priest was seen seated nearby. The temple complex took on a fair-like atmosphere as crowds gathered to witness what many believed to be a miracle.
However, the viral episode has also triggered serious concern among veterinarians and animal welfare activists. Experts who examined the dog pointed to possible medical explanations, noting that repetitive circling is a common symptom of vestibular disorders, neurological conditions, inner ear infections, disorientation, high ammonia levels, or even early signs of rabies. They warned that the animal appeared exhausted and dehydrated after days without proper food or water, stressing that it required urgent medical care rather than ritual veneration.
Dog was circling a temple in Bijnor, UP
People thought he is a reincarnation of Bhairo Baba
People from neighbouring districts started coming for darshan of dog
Reportedly, ₹21 lakh in chadawa has been received so far for that dog
Welcome to India 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ngvBfDIwdG
— Dr Nimo Yadav 2.0 (@DrNimoYadav) January 18, 2026
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A veterinary team later visited the site, conducted preliminary checks, and provided supportive treatment. Animal rights groups appealed to the public to stop disturbing the dog and emphasized that medical intervention must take precedence over superstition.
The incident underscores the deep intersection of faith, folklore, and animal reverence in parts of India. Uttar Pradesh itself is home to temples where dogs are traditionally worshipped, including the well-known dog deity shrine in Sikandrabad, Bulandshahr, associated with legends of devotion and loyalty. At the same time, the episode has fueled wider discussions on social media about balancing religious belief with scientific reasoning and animal welfare in contemporary India.
The dog—now resting on a mattress provided by devotees—remains under observation at the temple. Whether seen as a divine act of devotion or a silent cry for help from a distressed animal, the “miracle dog of Nandpur” continues to evoke awe, controversy, and calls for compassion.
