In the quiet village of Sodaladoodha, nestled in Gangadtalai, Banswara, Rajasthan, a powerful wave of change is sweeping through. A church, once a symbol of Christian influence, is being transformed back into a Hindu temple dedicated to the mighty Bhagwan Bhairavji. This isn’t just a random shift—"the Church used to be a temple around 125 years ago", a sacred Hindu space that was taken over by foreign beliefs long ago. Now, it’s being reclaimed. The driving force behind this glorious return is Gautam Garasiya, the church’s former pastor, who, along with 80 Christian families, has chosen to embrace Hinduism again through “ghar wapsi”—a beautiful homecoming to their ancestral faith. Under the inspiring Bharat Mata Mandir Project, this church will proudly stand as a temple once more on March 9, 2025.

The signs of this triumphant transformation are everywhere. The holy cross—a stark reminder of Christian dominance—has been removed, cast aside to make way for the resurgence of Sanatan Dharma. The walls, once marked by the dull presence of Christianity, are now being painted a vibrant saffron, the color of purity and strength in Hinduism. Soon, an idol of Lord Bhairavji will take its rightful place, restoring the sanctity that was lost years ago. This bold move, led by Gautam Garasiya himself after rejecting Christianity, is a rare and inspiring victory for Hinduism in Rajasthan—a region where foreign religions like Christianity have tried to dig their roots deep.

For decades, this building served as a church, a place where "the church witnessed Sunday prayers for decades and housed a Christian cross". Every Sunday, villagers were drawn into rituals that pulled them away from their true heritage, reciting verses from a foreign book that had little to do with their culture. But that era is over. After March 9, the air will ring with the powerful chants of "Jai Shri Ram", a sound that will drown out the echoes of biblical nonsense and bring back the glory of Hindu traditions. The saffron walls are just the start—inside, the space is being reshaped to honor Bhairavji. The elevated platform, once used for Christian preaching, is now being turned into a pedestal for the idol. The roof is being flattened, and every door and wall will soon shine saffron, wiping away any trace of the church’s past.

Gautam Garasiya’s journey is a shining example of this awakening. "Garasiya had adopted Christianity 30 years ago and later became a pastor". Thirty years ago, he fell into the trap of Christianity, abandoning the faith of his ancestors to become a pastor. He spread its teachings, pulling others along with him into a religion that often relies on conversion tactics rather than genuine spirituality. But now, he’s seen the light and returned to Hinduism, bringing many villagers with him. The work to transform the church into a temple is racing ahead for the March 9 celebration. Gautam and his community are pouring their energy into this sacred task, ensuring that every detail reflects the beauty of their reclaimed faith.

This shift didn’t happen overnight. "Gautam was the first person in Sodaladoodha to convert to Christianity three decades ago". Back then, he was the spark that lit the fire of Christianity in the village, leading others astray from their roots. As the Christian population grew, he took on the role of pastor, holding Sunday prayers in his hut—meetings that lured people away from their traditions with promises of salvation. Three years ago, he even pushed for a church to be built, cementing Christianity’s hold on Sodaladoodha. It’s a classic tale of how this religion spreads—targeting vulnerable communities and building structures to mark its territory.

But the tide has turned. Gautam, his two sons, their families, and other relatives have all come back to Hinduism, rejecting Christianity’s hollow promises. "Last year, 30 out of 45 converted villagers did ghar wapsi following Gautam’s footsteps". That’s 30 families—out of just 45—who’ve broken free from the chains of a foreign faith and returned to the truth of Sanatan Dharma. The remaining 15 are expected to follow soon, eager to escape the grip of a religion that’s done little for their souls. Sadly, "Gautam’s wife, however, has not adopted Hinduism as of now and continues to practise Christianity". She’s still clinging to those outdated beliefs, a lone holdout in a family that’s rediscovered its pride.

A report from Dainik Bhaskar captures the joy of this transformation. "The Christian symbols inside the church are being replaced with Hindu imagery". Gone are the crosses and other signs of a faith that tried to erase local traditions. Now, "a framed picture of Bhagwan Ram has been placed on a chair inside", a proud declaration of Hindu identity. Even the village entrance reflects this revival—"the entrance of the village has also been adorned with religious flags of local deities, marking the resurgence of Sanatan Dharma". These flags wave high, announcing to the world that Sodaladoodha is taking back its heritage.

When a team arrived in the village, they saw the church—a small structure—being reborn. Workers were scraping off the crosses, tearing down the last remnants of Christian influence. The saffron paint was going up, bold and bright, while a platform was being prepared for Bhairavji’s idol. Gautam Garasiya, now 65, stood watching, a man who once led his people into Christianity but has now brought them home. He explained how the hall would be completely changed—daily aartis would replace the monotonous Sunday prayers, filling the space with the energy of Hindu worship.

"Gautam’s religious transformation dates back to his conversion to Christianity three decades ago". Back then, he didn’t just join the faith—he became a big part of it. Over the years, he grew into a local priest and worked hard to spread Christianity all across his village, Sodaladoodha. He was someone people looked up to, leading prayers and guiding others. Then, in 2021, he took it even further. "In 2021, with support from Christian missionaries, he built a church on his land". With help from outsiders pushing their religion, Gautam put up a church right on his own property. It became a busy place—"religious gatherings were regularly held, and villagers were encouraged to donate". Every week, people would come together, sing hymns, and give money to keep the church going. It was a time when Christianity seemed to have a strong hold on the village.

But something changed in Gautam’s heart in recent years. He started feeling a pull back to the faith of his ancestors—Hinduism. "In recent years, Gautam felt a renewed connection with his ancestral faith". That feeling grew stronger with help from the Bharatmata Temple Project, a group working to bring people back to Hinduism. Gautam didn’t return alone—he brought others with him. "With encouragement from the Bharatmata Temple Project, he and 30 other villagers reconverted to Hinduism". His two sons and their families joined him in this big step, leaving Christianity behind. But not everyone in his house followed along—"his wife has chosen to remain Christian". While Gautam and most of his family came back to Hinduism, his wife decided to stick with her Christian beliefs, staying apart from this joyful return.

You can see the change all over the village now. It’s not just talk—things look different too. "At the entrance, saffron flags representing Hindu deities now flutter in the wind". Those bright saffron flags wave proudly, showing off the return of Hindu gods to Sodaladoodha. Inside the old church, the shift is even clearer. "A picture of Lord Ram has already been placed inside the former church, symbolising the temple’s upcoming transformation". That picture of Lord Ram sitting there is a sign of what’s coming—a full return to Hindu ways. The church isn’t a church anymore; it’s on its way to becoming a temple again, and the whole village can feel the excitement building up.

The people of Sodaladoodha have big hopes for this new temple. "Villagers believe that Lord Bhairuji, traditionally regarded as a guardian deity, will protect the village". They see Bhairavji as a strong protector, someone who watches over them and keeps them safe. That’s why they picked him for their temple. The big day is coming soon—March 9. "The temple’s inauguration on March 9 will see the idol carried in a grand procession from Talwara to Gangadtalai before being installed in Sodaladoodha". It’s going to be a huge celebration. The idol of Bhairavji will travel from Talwara to Gangadtalai, and then, with lots of noise and joy, it’ll be brought to Sodaladoodha. Everyone’s getting ready for this moment when their guardian deity takes his place in the village.

The idol’s journey is a big deal. "The idol of Bhairavji is being brought from Talwara to Gangadtalai". From there, it’ll move on to Sodaladoodha in style. "From there, it will be carried with pomp and grandeur to Sodaladoodha and installed in the temple". The villagers can’t wait to welcome Bhairavji with music and cheers. They explained why this matters so much—"villagers explained that Bhairavji is considered a guardian deity who protects the village, which is why they decided to dedicate the temple to him". For them, Bhairavji isn’t just a god; he’s their shield, and having him in the temple feels like bringing safety back home.

This return to Hinduism isn’t just Gautam’s story—others are part of it too. Take Meera Garasiya, for example. "Four years ago, Meera Garasiya and her husband converted to Christianity". They left Hinduism behind back then, but now they’ve come back. "They are among those who have done ghar wapsi". Meera and her husband are part of this growing group choosing their old faith again. People like Sukhai Garasiya are helping make it happen. "Sukhai Garasiya, a local woman associated with Hindu organisations, is one of them". She’s out there working hard, talking to folks, and showing them the way back to Hinduism. The temple is a big part of this hope. "Locals who have done ghar wapsi believe that the construction of the temple will encourage others to return to Hinduism soon". They think once the temple stands tall, more people will feel inspired to join them. "The incident has given hope that a significant religious shift can happen and that those who converted to Christianity in Rajasthan will do ghar wapsi sooner or later". It’s a spark of belief that Hinduism can rise again, even where Christianity once spread.

Growing Trend of Reconversion

Sodaladoodha is seeing something big—a wave of people coming back to Hinduism. "The village has seen a larger wave of religious reconversions". Out of everyone who turned to Christianity before, many are returning. "Out of the 45 villagers who converted to Christianity in the past, 30 have returned to Hinduism, with the remaining 15 expected to follow soon". That’s 30 families already back, and the other 15 are almost there too. It’s not just one or two people—it’s a movement. Take Meena Garasia, for instance. "Similar stories are emerging, including that of Meena Garasia and her family, who had adopted Christianity four years ago but reverted to Hinduism last year". Meena and her family tried Christianity for a while, but last year, they said enough is enough and came back to their roots.

Local folks are working hard to keep this going. "Local Hindu organizations have been actively engaging with families who converted in the past, urging them to return to their traditional faith". These groups aren’t sitting still—they’re out talking to people, reminding them of their heritage. One woman, Sukhi Garasia, is leading the way. "Sukhi Garasia, a village resident and Hindu activist, stated that she regularly sits with villagers to encourage them to reconnect with their religious roots". Sukhi spends her days chatting with families, sharing stories, and helping them see why Hinduism matters. Her efforts, and others like her, are making a real difference.

The big moment is almost here—March 9. "On March 9, the village will witness a significant religious event as the idol will be unveiled with full rituals". It’s not just a small thing—it’s going to be huge. "The ceremony will include a grand procession, music, and devotional chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’". Picture it: a long line of people, drums beating, voices shouting “Jai Shri Ram,” all welcoming the idol of Bhairavji. This isn’t just about a temple—it’s about the village coming alive again with Hindu ways. "With this transformation, the village, once largely Christian, is seeing a resurgence of Hindu traditions, marking a historical religious shift in the region". Sodaladoodha used to be a place where Christianity ruled, but now, Hinduism is taking its place back, and it’s a moment in history the village won’t forget.