Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Uttarpradesh

Address

Saket Nagar Colony, Sankata Mochan Leprosy,

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005

Moolavar

Hanuman, Rama

Introduction

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India and is dedicated to the God Hanuman. The temple was established by famous preacher and poet saint Sri Goswami Tulsidas in the early 16th century and is situated on the banks of the Assi River. The deity was named “Sankat Mochan” meaning the “reliever from troubles”.

Puranic Significance

It is believed that the temple has been built on the very spot where Tulsidas had a vision of Hanuman. Sankat Mochan Temple was founded by Tulsidas who was the author of the Ramacharitamanasa, which is one of the most popular versions of the saga of Lord Rama written in Awadhi (“Most of the people have a confusion that Ramacharitamanasa is an Awadhi version of Valmiki Ramayana, but Ramacharitamanasa is different from Sanskrit Ramayana written by Rishi Valmiki as Tulsidas already told in Ramacharitamanasa that “Nana bhanti Ram avatara, Ramayan sat koti apara” means in each Kalp lord Ram takes Avatar & plays different lilas (Acts) so we have different stories of same Lord Rama”).Tradition promises that regular visitors to the temple will gain the special favour of Lord Hanuman. Every Tuesday and Saturday thousands of people queue up in front of the temple to offer prayers to Lord Hanuman.

According to Vedic Astrology, Hanuman saves human beings from the anger of the planet Shani (Saturn), and especially people who have an ill-placed Saturn in their horoscopes visit this temple for astrological remedies. This is supposed to be the most effective way for appeasing Shani. While it is suggested that Hanuman did not hesitate to engulf in his mouth the sun, the lord of all planets, which humbled all the gods and angels, making them worship him for the Sun’s release. Some astrologers believe that worshiping Hanuman can neutralize the ill-effect of Mangal (Mars) and practically any planet that has an ill effect on human life. It is believed that Tulsidas is believed to have written most of the verses of Ramacharitramanas in this temple.

Special Features

In the temple, offerings to Lord Hanuman (called Prasad) are sold like the special sweet “besan ke ladoo”, which the devotees relish; the idol is also decked with a pleasant marigold flower garland as well. This temple has the unique distinction of having Lord Hanuman facing his Lord, Rama, whom he worshipped with steadfast and selfless devotion.