The Motorcycle That Became a God: The Mystery of Bullet Baba
Devotees come from across Rajasthan and beyond to pay respects, pray for safe journeys, and leave offerings.
From the highways of Rajasthan comes one of India’s most unusual and intriguing folk legends — the story of Bullet Baba, a young man whose death led to his Royal Enfield motorcycle becoming an object of worship and a roadside shrine that draws hundreds of devotees.
Who Was Bullet Baba?
The man behind the legend was Om Singh Rathore, also known locally as Om Banna or Bullet Baba. He died in a tragic motorcycle accident near Chotila village on the Pali–Jodhpur highway in Rajasthan on December 2, 1988. He was riding his 350 cc Royal Enfield Bullet (registration RNJ 7773) when he lost control and crashed into a tree, dying on the spot.
The Mysterious Motorcycle That Returned
What makes the story extraordinary is what happened to his motorcycle after his death. Local police confiscated the bike and took it to the nearby police station — but the next morning it was found back at the accident site, as if drawn there by some unseen force.
Authorities tried again: they emptied its fuel tank, locked it up, and even chained it in place — yet each time it mysteriously returned to the same spot beside the road. Officials eventually gave up, and the bike remained where the accident occurred.
A Shrine for Faith and Protection
Word of the strange events spread quickly among villagers and travellers. Local people began to believe that the spirit of Om Banna and his Bullet now offered protection to those on the road, especially travellers along the busy highway.
In response, a shrine was built right at the scene of the accident. Today the bike sits on a raised platform, decorated with garlands, cloth, flowers, and offerings, and is revered as a protective figure — often called the Bullet Baba temple or Om Banna Dham.
Beliefs and Devotions
Devotees come from across Rajasthan and beyond to pay respects, pray for safe journeys, and leave offerings. Some bring incense and flowers, while others offer alcohol or cigarettes, a reflection of local belief and ritual practices.
Many travellers travelling the NH-62 highway still stop, bow, or honk twice as a sign of respect when passing the shrine, believing it brings good luck and protection on their journey.
Faith and Folklore
There is no scientific explanation for how the motorcycle repeatedly returned to the accident site. To believers, however, the events are nothing short of miraculous — a testament to the power of faith and the deep-rooted tradition of revering spirits and folk deities in Indian culture.
Whether one sees it as mysticism, folklore, or cultural belief, the Bullet Baba story continues to inspire awe and curiosity, drawing curious visitors from far and wide.