10 Hanuman Temples You Must Visit in Your Lifetime
Lord Hanuman, the devoted disciple of Lord Ram, symbolises strength, devotion, and unwavering faith. Across India, numerous temples are dedicated to Hanuman Ji, each with its own unique history, significance, and divine energy. Pilgrims and devotees from all over the world visit these sacred shrines seeking protection, blessings, and spiritual upliftment.
In this article, we explore the ten most significant Hanuman temples that every devotee must visit at least once in their lifetime. These temples are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, mentioned in ancient scriptures, and continue to be centers of devotion and miracles.
1. Shri Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya
Shri Hanuman Garhi, located in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the oldest and most revered Hanuman temples in India. It is believed that the temple was established in the 10th century by Hindu saints to honor Hanuman Ji’s divine presence in Lord Ram’s birthplace. Legends state that Hanuman Ji took residence here to protect Ayodhya and Lord Ram’s devotees.
The temple, situated atop a hill, requires devotees to climb 76 steps to reach the sanctum, symbolising the spiritual journey toward devotion and faith. The idol of Hanuman Ji here depicts him in a meditative pose with Lord Ram and Sita in his heart, representing his unwavering love and devotion.
The temple is a major pilgrimage site, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, when thousands of devotees visit to seek blessings. Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami are celebrated with grandeur, making this temple a significant spiritual destination in Ayodhya.
Significance
It is believed that Hanuman Ji guards Ayodhya and protects the city from evil forces.
Devotees who visit Shri Hanuman Garhi and offer prayers are said to receive divine protection and good fortune.
Connectivity
Nearest Airport: Ayodhya Airport (18 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Ayodhya Railway Station (2 km)
2. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Varanasi
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, was founded in the 16th century by Sant Tulsidas, the revered saint and author of the Ramcharitmanas. According to legends, Tulsidas had a divine vision of Hanuman Ji at this very location, prompting him to establish the temple.
The name Sankat Mochan means “The Reliever of Troubles,” and devotees believe that worshiping here removes obstacles and fulfills wishes. It is common for devotees to offer besan laddoos, which are considered Hanuman Ji’s favorite prasad.
The temple holds special Hanuman Jayanti celebrations where thousands of devotees gather for the grand Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, featuring devotional music dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple is also famous for the presence of monkeys, considered Hanuman Ji’s divine attendants.
Significance
The temple is known as Sankat Mochan, meaning “the reliever of troubles,” as it is believed that praying here removes obstacles and fulfills wishes.
Connectivity
Nearest Airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (25 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Varanasi Junction (7 km)
3. Salasar Balaji, Rajasthan
Salasar Balaji, located in Churu district, Rajasthan, is a unique Hanuman temple where the deity’s idol has a round face, beard, and mustache. The temple’s origins trace back to 1754, when a farmer found a mystical Hanuman idol while plowing his field. The idol was believed to have divine energy and was enshrined at the current temple site.
It is said that a local devotee had a dream instructing him to install the idol, and soon after, miracles began occurring at the temple. Salasar Balaji is famous for fulfilling devotees' wishes, and every year, millions of pilgrims visit, particularly on Chaitra Purnima and Ashvin Purnima.
The temple is also known for its Akhand Jyoti, a sacred eternal flame that has been burning since the temple’s inception. The temple town has developed into a major pilgrimage center, with numerous dharamshalas (rest houses) for visitors.
Significance
It is believed that wishes made here are always granted.
Connectivity
Nearest Airport: Jaipur Airport (170 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Sujangarh Railway Station (27 km)
4. Jakhu Temple, Shimla
Jakhu Temple, located in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, is associated with the Ramayana. It is believed that when Lakshman was injured during the battle in Lanka, Hanuman Ji was sent to bring the Sanjeevani herb from the Himalayas. During his journey, he rested at Jakhu Hill, and the temple marks the spot where he stopped.
This temple is famous for its 108-foot Hanuman statue, one of the tallest in the world. The temple is frequented by monkeys, believed to be Hanuman Ji’s messengers.
The Jakhu Temple trek is a major attraction, as the temple is situated at 8,054 feet above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan range. Dussehra celebrations at Jakhu Temple are particularly grand, attracting devotees from across India.
Significance
This temple is home to one of the tallest Hanuman statues in the world (108 feet).
Connectivity
Nearest Airport: Shimla Airport (21 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Shimla Railway Station (6 km)
5. Mahavir Mandir, Patna
Mahavir Mandir in Patna, Bihar, is one of the most visited Hanuman temples in India, attracting millions of devotees annually. The temple is believed to date back to ancient times, but it gained prominence in the 20th century when it was reconstructed and expanded.
The temple is famous for its Naivedyam prasad, a sweet offering that has become one of the highest-selling prasad offerings in India. It is believed that offering prayers here brings protection, good health, and prosperity.
The temple sees a massive footfall on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with long queues of devotees chanting Hanuman Chalisa. During Hanuman Jayanti, grand processions and celebrations take place, making it a spiritual and cultural landmark in Patna.
Hanuman Ji, the revered devotee of Lord Ram, has numerous temples dedicated to him across India and Nepal. Each temple holds a unique history, divine significance, and a miraculous legend attached to it. Below, we explore the rich stories and spiritual connections of these ten significant Hanuman temples in detail.
Significance
The temple is known for fulfilling wishes related to health, prosperity, and protection.
Connectivity
Nearest Airport: Jay Prakash Narayan Airport (7 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Patna Junction (2 km)
6. Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple, Tamil Nadu
Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple, located in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, is one of the most revered temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This temple is famous for its towering 18-foot-tall idol of Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman), which is one of the tallest Hanuman statues in India. The idol is installed in an open-air shrine, facing the Narasimha Swamy Temple situated on a hillock nearby.
Significance
Features a 18-foot-tall standing Hanuman idol.
Connectivity
Nearest Airport: Coimbatore Airport (150 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Salem Railway Station (50 km)
7. Kashtbhanjan Hanuman Temple, Gujarat
The Kashtbhanjan Hanuman Temple, located in Sarangpur, Gujarat, is one of the most revered Hanuman temples in India. This temple is unique because it depicts Lord Hanuman in a fierce form (Veer Hanuman) crushing a demon under his feet, symbolising his power to remove obstacles and negative energies. The word "Kashtbhanjan" means "remover of troubles," and devotees visit the temple to seek relief from distress, evil spirits, and misfortunes.
The temple was established in the 18th century by Sadguru Gopalanand Swami, a prominent saint and disciple of Bhagwan Swaminarayan of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. It is believed that Gopalanand Swami personally infused divine energy into the murti (idol) of Hanumanji through special spiritual rituals.
Significance
According to legends, when Gopalanand Swami installed the idol of Hanumanji in Sarangpur, he performed sacred rituals to empower the idol with divine energy. It is said that the idol of Hanumanji moved as if it had come to life when the Swami touched it with his spiritual staff. This miracle established the temple’s reputation as a powerful place of worship where devotees could find relief from their struggles.
The temple is particularly famous for its exorcism rituals, where people suffering from negative energies or supernatural disturbances seek Lord Hanuman’s blessings.
Connectivity
Nearest Airport: Ahmedabad Airport (140 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Botad Railway Station (20 km)
8. Shri Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple, Karnataka
The temple is associated with the events of the Ramayana, particularly the battle between Lord Rama and Ravana. According to legend. It is believed that Lord Hanuman meditated at this very place in Raichur after the battle, making it a site of great spiritual power. The rock formations in and around the temple are said to bear the impressions of Hanuman’s divine form.
Significance
The temple features a stone idol of Panchmukhi Hanuman, which is believed to be self-manifested (Swayambhu).
The idol has no external carvings, and its sacred energy is said to radiate naturally.
The temple complex is surrounded by caves and natural rock formations, adding to its mystic charm.
During the war in Lanka, Ravana's brother Ahiravana, the king of Patal Lok (the netherworld), kidnapped Lord Rama and Lakshmana and took them to his kingdom.
To defeat Ahiravana and rescue Rama and Lakshmana, Lord Hanuman assumed his divine Panchmukhi (five-faced) form.
The five faces of Hanuman represent:
Hanuman (East) – Grants strength and courage
Narasimha (South) – Offers protection and victory over evil
Garuda (West) – Removes poison and black magic
Varaha (North) – Provides prosperity and wealth
Hayagriva (Sky) – Bestows knowledge and wisdom
In this form, Hanuman extinguished five lamps burning in different directions simultaneously and killed Ahiravana, thus saving Rama and Lakshmana.
Connectivity
Nearest Airport: Mangalore Airport (100 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Udupi Railway Station (30 km)
9. Maruti Mandir, Maharashtra
The Maruti Mandir is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, also known as Maruti, located in Maharashtra. Several temples in the state are dedicated to Lord Hanuman under the name "Maruti Mandir," but the most famous ones are in Shirdi, Nashik, Pune, and Sindhudurg (Hedgewar Hanuman Temple in Sindhudurg Fort built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj). One of the most significant Maruti Mandirs is in Parvati Hill, Pune, associated with the great saint Samarth Ramdas, who was a spiritual guide to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Significance
The Maruti Mandirs in Maharashtra are deeply connected to Samarth Ramdas (1608–1682), the saint and philosopher who was an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman and instrumental in spreading the worship of Hanuman across Maharashtra.
He established 11 prominent Maruti temples across Maharashtra, including those in Pune (Parvati Hill), Shahapur, and Satara.
Samarth Ramdas believed that Hanuman was a symbol of strength, courage, and devotion, and he encouraged warriors, including Shivaji Maharaj, to worship Hanuman for protection and valor in battle.
The temple is deeply associated with Maratha history and culture.
Connectivity
Nearest Airport: Nashik Airport (20 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Nashik Road Railway Station (15 km)
10. Hanuman Dhoka, Nepal
Hanuman Dhoka is an ancient palace complex located in Kathmandu, Nepal, near Durbar Square, and is one of the most historically significant sites in the country. The name "Hanuman Dhoka" comes from the idol of Lord Hanuman that stands at the entrance of the palace. "Dhoka" means "gate" in Nepali, referring to the gateway to the royal palace. This palace was once the residence of Malla kings and later Shah kings of Nepal and remains an important symbol of Nepal’s royal and cultural heritage.
Significance
The statue of Lord Hanuman at the main entrance was installed in 1672 by King Pratap Malla, a devout follower of Hanuman.
The idol is covered in red sindoor (vermilion), symbolising strength and protection.
It is believed that Hanuman protects the palace and Kathmandu Valley from evil forces.
Hanuman Dhoka was originally built in the 4th century by the Lichhavi dynasty, but it was extensively renovated and expanded during the Malla period (14th–18th century).
It served as the royal palace of Nepal until the 19th century, before the Shah kings moved to the Narayanhiti Palace.
The palace complex was damaged by the 2015 Nepal earthquake, but restoration efforts are ongoing.
The temple is part of the Kathmandu Durbar Square UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Connectivity
Nearest Airport: Tribhuvan International Airport (6 km)
Conclusion
These ten Hanuman temples are not just places of worship but spiritual powerhouses that hold historical, mythological, and cultural significance. Whether you seek divine blessings, inner strength, or relief from obstacles, a visit to these temples is an experience that leaves an everlasting impact.
🙏 Jai Hanuman! 🙏
