Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

Introduction to the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is in the cultural city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Assi River. It is also called the Monkey temple because many monkeys live inside the premises. Devotees visit the temple from across the country.

History of the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

Tulsidas, the author of Ram Charita Manas, the Hindi version of the Ramayana, initially written by Valmiki in 1500 AD, founded the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple.

Tulsidas founded the temple in 1631-1680. The educationist and freedom fighter Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya renovated it in 1900. Veer Bhadra Mishra (the temple's chief priest) established the Sankat Mochan Foundation in 1982. It works on cleaning and protecting the River Ganga. The Sankat Mochan Foundation maintains and administers the temple.

The Architecture of the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is a testament to the traditional and modern architectural styles. Goswami Tulsidas, the great Hindu preacher and poet-saint, founded the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in the 16th century after having a direct vision of Hanuman at this site.

Over the centuries, the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple has undergone many expansions and renovations. Swami Karpatri ji Maharaj, a famous Hindu spiritual leader, built the present structure of the temple in the early 20th century.

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is dedicated to Hanuman, an important deity in Hindu mythology. He faces east and spent his life serving Sri Rama. The unique feature of the temple is that the idol of Hanuman is installed in the central court facing the idol of Sri Rama. The statues of Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and the Vanara army are on one side, showing reverence for Shiva. Inside the temple, there is an ellipse-shaped area dedicated to worshipping Hanuman. It can accommodate 250 devotees.

The air in the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple resonates with the continuous chanting of Hanuman Chalisa, creating an ambiance filled with spiritual energy.

Hanuman is named Sankat Mochan in this temple because he relieves devotees' troubles and delivers them from hardships. He is also said to have the spirit of Shiva, who incarnated in monkey form to serve Sri Rama in his sojourn on earth.

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple's Prasad, Ghee Besan Ladoo and Lal Peda, are famous. This Prasad is tasty and is also exported all over the state. This temple also provides Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarkand booklets for free.

The temple hosts daily prayers, bhajans, and religious discourses and is busy on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Its evening Aarti is popular and draws a huge crowd of devotees.

Festivals in the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple celebrates Hanuman Jayanti for five days. During Hanuman Jayanti, Shobha Yatra procession starts at the Durga Temple and ends at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. Rama Jayanti is another festival celebrated here.
The Sankat Mochan Foundation organizes a classical music and dance concert festival called Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh every April. Musicians and performers from across the world participate. The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple initiated it 88 years ago.

Benefit of Worshipping at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

Devotees staunchly believe that visiting Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple helps them recover from Vitiligo, a skin disease. The local people believe that Hanuman still resides here.