Top 8 Most Famous Temples of Lord Hanuman in India

Lord Hanuman is one of the most worshipped Hindu Gods in Kalyug. He is the son of Anjana and is believed to be the 11th incarnation of Lord Shiva and seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. He was an ardent devotee and a faithful companion of Lord Rama in the Hindu epic Ramayana. People also call him 'Bajrangbali' or 'Pawanputra' or 'MonkeyGod', and he is known for giving courage to his believers. His birth date is celebrated with great zeal as 'Hanuman Jayanti'. Numerous temples have been built in India, where people regularly visit to pay their reverence. Top such eight famous temples made in India for Lord Hanuman are as under :

1. SANKAT MOCHAN HANUMAN TEMPLE (VARANASI)

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is situated in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) on the banks of the Assi river. As per Hindu mythology, it was established by Goswami Tulsidas Ji in the 16th Century. Many devotees visit this place as it is believed that visiting this temple shall relieve them of the evil effects of malefic planets. Every April, a classical music and dance concert under the banner of Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samorah is held, which is thronged by participants and devotees not only from India but from all parts of the world. Another important annual festival in honour of Lord Hanuman is celebrated on the full moon night in the month of Chaitra.

2. JAKHOO TEMPLE (SHIMLA – HIMACHAL PRADESH)

The Jakhoo Temple, situated at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is situated on the highest peak of Shimla at an altitude of over 8100 feet and is decorated with a giant 108 feet tall Lord Hanuman statue. It is believed that Lord Hanuman visited Jakhoo during the Ramayana war, where he rested while searching for sanjivani booti for Laxman, who fell unconscious after a bow Struck him. During Dussehra, an annual festival is celebrated here.

3. MAHAVIR MANDIR (PATNA):

Mahavir Mandir, also known as Manakamana temple, is situated at Patna in Bihar, is one of the holiest temples of Lord Hanuman in India. Noticeably it is the 2nd most visited religious shrine in North India. As per History, this temple was built in 1730 by Swami Balan and. Here Ram Navami is celebrated with great pomp and show. This temple is a three storeyed building. The ground floor houses Lord Hanuman & Shiva idol. People believe that these idols fulfil their wishes and purify their souls. The first floor of the temple houses the idols of Lord Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Parvati and Nandi and a Ramsetu shila, which has been derived from the bridge built by Lord Rama to cross over to Lanka for rescuing Sita. The second floor of the temple is used for religious ceremonies.

4. BALA HANUMAN TEMPLE (JAMNAGAR – GUJARAT):

Shri Bala Hanuman Temple of Jamnagar (in Gujarat), also called 'Balahanuman Sankirtan Mandir', is another famous Hanuman temple situated on the southeast side of Lake Lakhota. Furthermore, it is the only temple recorded in 'The Guinness Book of World Records for the continuous chanting of Ram Dhun since 1st August 1964. This temple was established in 1963-64 by Shri Prem Bhushanji Maharaj. It houses the Ram Parivar consisting of Lord Ram, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman.

5. HANUMAN MANDIR (ALLAHABAD – UTTAR PRADESH):

Hanuman Mandir, also known as Bade Hanuman Ji Temple, is another famous temple of India situated at the Sangam point of river Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati at Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. It is an old temple believed to be as old as Ramayana times when Lord Hanuman is believed to have rested here after burning Lanka. This temple is the only temple in India where Lord Hanuman, 20 feet long by 8 feet wide, is sleeping. Since half of the idol of Lord Hanuman is immersed in water, devotees believe that the Ganga river rises its level just to touch Lord Hanuman's feet.

6. NAMAKKAL ANJANEYAR TEMPLE (TAMILNADU):

Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple is one of the popular temples of Lord Hanuman, situated in Tamil Nadu. It has 18 feet tallest statue of Lord Hanuman, along with the idols of Anjaneyar and Narasimha. It houses a pillared hall that leads up to the sanctum. As per Legends, Lord Hanuman gave an image of Lord Vishnu in the form of a saligram to Goddess Lakshmi till he returned. Goddess Lakshmi placed the saligram and performed deep meditation for worshipping Lord Vishnu. When Lord Hanuman returned, the saligram grew up, and it was then Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Narasimha before them. In the month of Panguni, in March – April, the hanuman idol of the deities is taken around the streets, and a 15 days festival called Panguni Uthiram is celebrated.

7. HANUMANGARHI (AYODHYA – UTTAR PRADESH):

Hanumangarhi temple is one of the famous temples of Lord Hanuman built in Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), the Ram Janambhoomi. It was built in the 10th century CE. People believe that Lord Hanuman guarded the birthplace of Lord Rama, Ramkot, from this place. The temple is a four sided fort like structure, where all corners have a circular bastion with the temple of Lord Hanuman in it. The main temple has an idol of Bal Hanuman sitting on the lap of her mother, Anjana. People from all over come here to pay their respect, especially during Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami.

8. PANCHAMUKHI HANUMAN TEMPLE (TAMIL NADU)

Another famous temple of Lord Hanuman is Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple, situated at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. It is believed to be existing since the Ramayana yug where Lord Hanuman took the Panchamukhi form in Patala lok to protect Lord Rama and Lakshman when they were tricked into going to Patal Lok for killing Mahiravana. The face of the five-faced idol of Lord Hanuman has the Lord in the middle (facing east) with Lord Narasimha (facing south), Lord Adivaraha (facing north), Lord Garuda (facing west) and Lord Hayagriva (facing the sky) on the sides, along with the idols of Lord Rama and Sita.