Some Famous Hanuman Temples In India: Praying To The Monkey God And The Biggest Devotee Of Shri Ram

Famous Hanuman Temples: India is the land of multiple deities. From nature to the supreme powers and even animal forms are worshipped. Being a polytheistic religion, Hinduism sees the essence of god in everything and everyone. Hence, one of the most famous and widely regarded deities is the Monkey God Hanuman ji. Known for his immeasurable strength, sharp wit, courage and deep devotion towards Shri Ram, he is the perfect example of how a devotee should be. Being the major deity and symbol of unmatchable power and strength, Hanumanji is greatly regarded as the protector. 

Hanuman: More Than A Monkey God. A Protector Deity

Shri Hanuman is considered the true symbol of power, devotion and courage in India and in Hindu beliefs. His enormous strength and grounded aura have inspired many bodybuilders and wrestlers alike across India. Besides this, almost every Hindu temple in India and abroad, city and village has an idol of Hanumanji as a protector deity. The temples of Hanumanji are considered the centres of high, positive energy. 

Though every city and locality has a Hanuman temple where people gather every Tuesday and Saturday (Tuesday is dedicated to Shri Hanuman, while on Saturday, he is worshipped as he is known to nullify the negative effect of Shani or Saturn in an astrological chart), to chant Hanuman Chalisa, Sundarkand, and Ram Naam. This practice gives them a sense of safety, devotion and belief, which is the major reason these temples see such a devoted and enormous crowd. However, certain temples are considered the major spiritual destinations for their personal and religious growth and upliftment. These temples are the biggest locations for Hanuman devotees and are known for their immense significance.

Hanuman Garhi Temple, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh

This famous shrine of Shri Hanuman is in the form of a fortress and is known to be situated at the ancient city of Ayodhya. According to belief, devotees are required to pray here prior to the Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple as the Hanumanji here are considered as the protecting deity of the city of Ayodhya. It is believed that worshipping the Hanuman Ji idol here brings strength, health and fulfilment of good wishes. 

Salasar Balaji Temple, Churu, Rajasthan

Known for its miracles, this Hanuman temple in the state of Rajasthan is highly regarded among the devotees of Hanumanji. The idol here is one of its type in India with a moustache and beard, and is worshipped as a middle-aged protector of the land. The idol was discovered by a farmer at the village of Asota and was later established in the town of Salasar, near the city of Churu in Rajasthan.

Mehandipur Balaji Temple, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Known for its miraculous and exorcism practices, this Hanuman temple is very famous for its evening aarti and providing the devotees relief from the paranormal entities and evil spirits. Also known as ‘Ghate wale Balaji’, this temple sees a high number of devotees on Tuesday, Saturday, Purnima (full moon day), Diwali, Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti.

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

The most famous Hanuman temple in the country, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, is located on the banks of the river Ganga, and was established by Saint Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century. As goes by his name, worshipping at this temple is known to remove obstacles in life. It is also famous for its annual music festival and the offering of besan ke laddo. 

Bade Hanuman Ji Temple, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

This is a very famous temple in Northern India and especially in Uttar Pradesh. This temple houses the only known, largest reclining statue of Shri Hanumanji, also known as “Lete Hanumanji’’. Local beliefs state that every year, water from the river Ganga enters the sanctum sactorum of the temple and gives the idol of Hanuman Ji a spiritual bath, which is considered very holy and auspicious by the devotees. This temple is known to provide divine protection from evil spirits and the removal of bad karmic bonds. 

Shri Kashtbhanjan Hanuman Temple, Salangpur, Gujarat

Most renowned temple in northern and western India, the Kashtbhanjan Dev Hanuman Temple at Salangpur, Gujarat, is very reputed for its intricate architecture and special sessions of people suffering from paranormal and health ailments. The Hanumanji here are considered the healers and are reputed to maintain the tradition of installation by Swami Gopalanand. The temple complex also has a 54-foot-tall bronze statue which is visible from far away. Considered as the protector deity, this temple is managed by BAPS, an organisation of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.

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Namakkal Anjenayar Temple, Nammakal, Tamil Nadu

One of the iconic idols of Shri Hanumanji in India, the temple is without any ceiling and houses an 18-foot-tall, black granite statue with folded hands, worshipping Lord Narsimha. The statue and temple are symbolised by the boundless strength and devotion of Shri Hanuman ji. The temple and its complex are a unique temple showcasing the relation between Hanumanji and Lord Narsimha, an incarnation of Shri Vishnu, who later incarnated as Shri Rama. 

Anjanadri Hanuman Temple, Hampi, Karnataka  

Believed to be the birthplace of Shri Hanuman, the temple is located on a hillock and is greatly regarded by the devotees for blessing childless couples with the boon of conceiving. This temple has the statue of Shri Hanuman Ji in Infant form with his mother, Anjani. The temple can be reached by climbing more than 500 stone-carved steps and provides a scenic view of another world heritage site, Hampi. 

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Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple, Hampi, Karnataka  

One of the most holy Shri Hanuman shrines in Southern India, this temple is unique for its Hanuman idol, which is placed between a Yantra (divine diagram). This temple is considered the bestower of divine blessings, meditative relief and high physical strength, being in the yogic pose of Padmasana (lotus pose) and was established by the royal priest of Vijaynagra Kingdom, Sage Vyasraja.  

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