11 Most Famous Hanuman Temples in India

India is home to a rich fabric of spiritual traditions and architectural marvels, and among the most revered and awe-inspiring temples are the numerous temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the much-loved deity. Known for his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama and his unflinching strength, Lord Hanuman has captured the hearts of millions across the country. From the holy cities of Varanasi and Ayodhya to busy metropolises like Delhi and Mumbai, Hanuman temples stand testimony to the enduring power of faith and the lasting legacy of the epic Ramayana. Let's find out where these temples are located.

Table of Contents

1. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
2. Jakhu Temple, Himachal Pradesh
3. Mahavir Temple, Bihar
4. Bala Hanuman Temple, Gujarat
5. Hanuman Temple, Uttar Pradesh
6. Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya
7. Bet Dwarka Temple, Gujarat
8. Karmanghat Hanuman Temple, Telangana
9. Sacchi Hanuman Temple, Tamil Nadu
10. GaltaJi Temple, Jaipur
11. Prachin Hanuman Temple, Delhi

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is a revered temple that dates back to the 16th century. It is believed to have been founded by Saint Goswami Tulsidas, the famous author of the epic Ramacharitamanas. According to legend, Tulsidas had a vision of Lord Hanuman at this very spot, which led to the construction of the temple. The temple is notable for its unique feature, in which Lord Hanuman stands facing Lord Rama, which shows Lord Hanuman's deep devotion and loyalty towards his lord. Additionally, the temple hosts an annual festival called Sankat Mochan Music Festival, which is a grand classical music and dance festival that draws devotees from all over. The temple is an important pilgrimage site for Hanuman devotees, offering a unique spiritual experience amid the sacred surroundings of Varanasi.

Jakhu Temple

Jakhu Temple in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, believed to date back to the Ramayana period. Situated at an altitude of 8,054 feet above sea level, it is located on Jakhu Hill, the highest peak in Shimla, about 2.5 kilometres east of the Ridge. The temple houses a huge statue of Lord Hanuman that stands at 108 feet tall, making it one of the tallest statues in the world. The statue is even taller than the famous Christ the Redeemer statue located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which stands at 98 feet tall. The temple can be reached by foot, horse, taxi or ropeway, and is an important pilgrimage site for devotees seeking strength, peace and mental health.

Mahavir Mandir, Bihar

The Mahavir Mandir, located in Patna, Bihar, is one of the most revered and popular Hindu temples in North India, second only to the famous Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir. Founded in 1730 AD by Swami Balananda, a saint of the Ramanandi sect, the temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and attracts lakhs of devotees every year who visit to seek the blessings and protection of Sankat Mochan Hanuman, the remover of all troubles. The temple is known as the "Manokaamna Mandir", where people believe that their wishes can be fulfilled by praying sincerely. The temple complex has two idols of Lord Hanuman, one facing east and the other facing west.It also has idols of other deities such as Lord Ganesha, Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Goddess Sita and Lord Shiva. The temple has the second highest income in North India after Vaishno Devi, averaging ₹1 lakh per day, and is managed by the Mahavir Mandir Trust of Patna.

Bala Hanuman Temple, Gujarat

The Bala Hanuman Temple in Jamnagar, Gujarat is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Established in 1963-64, it is famous for its continuous chanting of 'Ram Dhun' since August 1, 1964, which has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. The temple is located on the south-eastern banks of Ranmal Lake or Lakhota Lake in Jamnagar and is known for its simple yet beautiful structure containing idols of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshmana, Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman. The unique feature of the temple is the 24x7 chanting of 'Ram Dhun' or 'Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram', which has been going on for over 54 years, making it an important pilgrimage site for devotees. The atmosphere of the temple is full of sanctity and sacredness, attracting pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.

Hanuman Temple, Uttar Pradesh

The Hanuman Temple in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh is a revered temple that is believed to have existed since the time of Ramayana. The temple is famous for its unique feature of housing a 20-foot tall and 8-foot wide reclining idol of Lord Hanuman, known as 'Reclining Hanuman'. The idol is one of the largest and most revered idols of Lord Hanuman in India. The temple is located near the Triveni Sangam and Allahabad Fort, making it an important pilgrimage site for devotees. The legend about the temple says that Lord Hanuman rested here after burning Lanka, and the idol is believed to be in a reclining position, with half of it submerged in the waters of the Ganges River. The temple is managed by the Baghambari Gaddi and is particularly busy on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The temple timings are from 9 am to 12 noon and from 4 pm to night till 9:30 p.m., and entry is free.

Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya

The Hanuman Garhi Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh is one of the most famous temples of Lord Hanuman in North India. Located near Ram Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Lord Rama, this temple holds immense spiritual significance. According to mythology, Lord Hanuman is believed to have lived in a cave at this place during the Treta Yuga, where he kept a vigilant watch over the city of Ayodhya and waited for Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana to return from their exile. Built in the 10th century, the temple houses a 6-inch-high statue of young Hanuman, sitting on the lap of his mother Anjani. Devotees believe that visiting the Hanuman Garhi before visiting the Ram Temple is a traditional ritual, as Hanuman is believed to be the guardian of Ayodhya and protector of Lord Rama. The temple comes alive during festivals like Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami, when grand celebrations take place, resonating with devotional fervour and chanting of bhajans.

Bet Dwarka Temple, Gujarat

The Bet Dwarka Hanuman Temple is a revered Hindu temple located on the Bet Dwarka Island off the coast of Okha in Gujarat. The temple is an important pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Hanuman and is closely associated with the temple of Lord Krishna, which is located on the nearby island of Dwarka. According to Hindu ancient stories, Lord Hanuman was sent by Lord Rama to the Dwarka Island to search for Lord Krishna, and it is believed that Lord Hanuman stayed at Bet Dwarka for some time. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and spectacular views of the Arabian Sea. The idol of Lord Hanuman is said to be swayambhu (self-manifested) and is believed to have extraordinary spiritual powers. The temple is also famous for its unique rituals and pujas, which are performed daily. The temple is easily accessible by ferry from Okha, and devotees can also take a boat ride around the island to explore its natural beauty and historical significance.

Karmanghat Hanuman Temple, Telangana

The Karmanghat Hanuman Temple in Telangana is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the monkey god and a devoted follower of Lord Rama. Located in the heart of the town of Karamanghat, the temple is a popular pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Hanuman, especially in Hyderabad. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and serene ambiance, which creates a peaceful environment conducive to spiritual contemplation. The main deity of the temple is a grand idol of Lord Hanuman, which devotees decorate with flowers and other offerings. The temple also hosts various cultural and spiritual events throughout the year, including festivals such as Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami, which attract large crowds of devotees. The significance of the temple goes beyond its architectural beauty and spiritual importance, as it also serves as a symbol of unity and harmony among people of different religions and backgrounds.

Sachi Hanuman Temple, Tamil Nadu

Situated in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, the Sachi Hanuman Temple holds great significance for Hindu pilgrims due to its strong connection to the epic Ramayana. According to ancient texts, Lord Rama along with his brother Lakshmana and his wife Sita visited Rameswaram while on their way to Lanka to rescue Sita from the clutches of the demon king Ravana. It is believed that Lord Rama's devoted servant Hanuman built a bridge of stones over the sea to make their journey easier. The Sachi Hanuman Temple is located at the exact spot where Lord Hanuman gathered stones for the bridge, making it a sacred pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Hanuman and Lord Rama. The temple houses a unique idol of Lord Hanuman, known as "Sachi Hanuman", which is believed to have been consecrated by Lord Rama himself. Pilgrims visit the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman and pay homage to the divine events that took place on this sacred land during the Ramayana period.

GaltaJi Temple, Jaipur

The Monkey Temple, also known as Galta Ji Temple, is an iconic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This ancient temple is located in the Galta Ji hills, which is believed to be the place where Lord Hanuman performed penance. The temple is known for its unique architecture, with a series of natural springs and waterfalls that flow through the temple complex. The temple architecture is a blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal styles, with intricate carvings and ornate decorations. The temple also has a large population of monkeys, which are believed to be descendants of Lord Hanuman's Vanara Sena. Devotees visit the temple to pray to Lord Hanuman and seek his blessings, and the temple is especially popular during the festival of Hanuman Jayanti. The serene atmosphere and natural beauty of the temple makes it a popular tourist destination in Jaipur, attracting tourists from all over the world.

Prachin Hanuman Mandir, Delhi

The Prachin Hanuman Mandir in Delhi is an ancient temple believed to have been built around 3,500 years ago during the Mahabharata period. According to legend, the temple was built by Lord Hanuman himself, who is said to have revealed the idol of the deity in the temple complex. The temple is known for its unique self-manifested idol of Lord Hanuman, which is said to have been created by the deity's own self-manifested idol.
The temple's architecture is a blend of traditional Indian styles, with intricate carvings and ornate decorations. The temple is also famous for its annual festival, which attracts devotees from across the country. The history of the temple is shrouded in mystery, with some accounts suggesting that it was built by Lord Hanuman himself, while others attribute its construction to the Pandavas, heroes of the Mahabharata. Despite the uncertainty about its origins, the temple remains an important pilgrimage site for Hindus, who come to pay homage to Lord Hanuman and seek his blessings.