Sankat Mochan Temple is dedicated to the Lord Hanuman. This temple is also called as the Monkey temple because of the presence of a lot of monkeys inside the premises. It is one of the holy temples of the Lord Hanuman and the main location for Hindus for their many religious as well as cultural festivals. It is located in the southern part of the Varanasi.
Shrine’s History
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 the greatest version of lord Ram story written in Avadhi.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 neutralise the ill-effect of Mangal (Mars) and practically any planet that has an ill effect on human life.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Sankat Mochan Temple is located about 11 km from the bus stand Varanasi and 3 km from the BHU. You can easily reach the temple from anywhere in Varanasi as there is the very good facility of Auto rickshaw at every location just ask driver the way to reach he will guide yours clearly.
By Rail
The nearest station is Banaras railway station. Bigger Junction near by is Moghul Sarai
By Air
The Temple can be reached through nearest air port at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport which is well connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, Mumbai.
Shrine Timings
This temple timings are from 5.00 AM to 10.00 PM
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
The Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh (classical music and dance concert celebration) takes place every year in the month of April. In this celebration, great musicians and performers from all across the India come to take part. The first time this festival was celebrated 88 years ago. This event attracts the huge crowd at the temple. In 2009, the vocalist Pandit Jasraj and Kathak model Pandit Birju Maharaj took part in the celebration.
The 2010 concert was spread over five days, during which artists like, Pandit Jasraj, Sunanda Patnaik, Pt. Channulal Mishra, Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra and Pt. Amar Nath Mishra performed. In 2015 concert famous Pakistani-ghazal singer Ustad Ghulam Ali performed at Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh.