5 iconic Lord Hanuman temples in India that inspire millions of devotees

Jai Bajrangbali! This chant unites millions of devotees in faith, strength, and devotion to Lord Hanuman. Known as the mighty vanara warrior and a symbol of courage, loyalty, and unwavering devotion, Lord Hanuman holds a special place in the hearts of his followers. There are several temples dedicated to him that are not just places of worship, but also believed to be centers of spiritual energy, where stories from the Ramayana come alive through rituals and prayers. From towering idols to centuries-old shrines, these sacred spaces celebrate his enduring legacy. Here are five iconic Hanuman temples in India that continue to inspire generations.

Let's take a spiritual journey:

A very popular and devout Hanuman temple in India situated on the banks of the Assi River in Varanasi. Founded by the saint and poet Goswami Tulsidas, who also wrote the epic version of the Ramayana in Awadhi titled Ramcharitmanas. As per mythology, the site on which the Hanuman temple stands is also where Tulsidas had a vision of Lord Hanuman, which prompted him to construct the temple. The temple is a wonderful combination of traditional as well as modern Hindu architectural designs and additionally boasts a compound packed with greenery and peace. The sacred site draws thousands of followers each day, predominantly on every Tuesday and Saturday, days considered auspicious for the worship of the god Hanuman. Most famously recognized for its dusk aarti and the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, an annual classical music festival commemorating spiritual music held here.

A well-known Hindu temple in Karol Bagh of Delhi. This temple will surely leave you amazed! It is constructed in the shape of a towering statue of Lord Hanuman measuring 108 feet long. Travellers can easily identify this temple through nearby landmarks such as the Jhandewalan and Karol Bagh metro stations, making it a prominent and easily identifiable landmark in Delhi. Adding to the temple's uniqueness is the entrance, which is created in the form of a rakshas' open mouth that signifies the victory of good over evil.

Situated in Ayodhya of Uttar Pradesh, an age-old Hindu temple dedicated to the divine god Hanuman. This temple is many centuries old and is said to have been constructed by King Vikramaditya. This temple is constructed in the classical Nagara style of architecture, placed on a raised mound making it the tallest building here. The temple complex consists of a vibrant building with detailed carvings, several floors, and a path around for devotees to circumambulate. One of the outstanding objects within the temple is the "Vijay Stambha" (Victory Pillar), said to have been brought from Lanka by Hanuman to commemorate Lord Rama's triumph over Ravana. One must visit this temple prior to proceeding towards Ayodhya to obtain the blessings of Lord Rama since it is believed that Lord Hanuman has been assigned priority by Lord Rama to be worshipped first.

An old and holy Hindu temple devoted to Lord Hanuman and situated on the Jakhu Hill, which is the tallest hill in Shimla. This temple is framed in excellent natural beauty since it provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountainous landscape and the town below. Some legends indicate that Lord Hanuman had descended onto this hill while going to fetch the Sanjeevani herb for Lord Lakshman and had sat down with the sage Yaaku here and had given assurance to meet him while he was on his return journey, but unfortunately was unable to do so, which prompted the sage to construct a temple in honour of the god Hanuman here. One believes that they can see the footsteps of Lord Hanuman here.

It is one of the most powerful Hanuman temples, and the name itself denotes the 'Crusher of Sorrows,' which shows the faith that Lord Hanuman can vanquish the troubles of his followers. The idol here has a handlebar moustache and is shown standing with Shani Dev under his foot, symbolizing his power to subdue negative planetary influences. A special puja is offered particularly on Saturdays for victims of mental ailments, evil spirits, or adversities. The temple is famous for miracles, spiritual healing, and exorcisms, with numerous devotees testifying to the removal of their issues after praying and worshipping here.