Have you ever experienced life burdens becoming too overwhelming, as if you have the entire global burden resting on your back? During such stressful times, people travel in great numbers to worship at Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir in Varanasi and experience its peaceful atmosphere.

 “Sankat Mochan naam tiharo, Jo sumirat bhay sankat haare”

Simply honouring your name as Sankat Mochan Hanuman dissolves all your difficulties.

Visitors find more than a simple spiritual stop at this holy location because they discover a space where healing for the heart truly happens. The sacred temple’s name, “Sankat Mochan,” refers to “Remover of Troubles,” while embodying more than its words. This sacred space offers people a promise and comfort zone that transforms tough times into chanting and unsettling moments into peaceful tranquility.

Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya created this temple through his visionary leadership since he also established Banaras Hindu University, thanks to his noble character, serving thousands of devotees each day.

We will lead you through the temple’s historical roots, followed by its religious importance, together with its traditional practices, until we explain why walking the path to Sankat Mochan Temple Varanasi means experiencing a spiritual transformation of your entire being. You will encounter a place where faith speaks and miracles listen at the sacred gem, regardless of your trip purpose or curiosity about divine blessings.

History of Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir

Upon the banks of Varanasi rests the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir, which stands as both a temple and active monument to continuous faith throughout multiple centuries and divine confrontations and cultural developments since its founding. We will examine this holy site through its time-tested legacy and everlasting importance

Foundation by Goswami Tulsidas

During the beginning of the 16th century, Goswami Tulsidas, a celebrated poet-saint who wrote the Ramcharitmanas, received Lord Hanuman’s divine vision on the Assi River banks. The spiritual experience reshaped his life, and he founded the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir on the same location. The temple’s name, “Sankat Mochan,” serves as an expression because Hanuman revealed his ability to help devotees overcome their difficulties.

Mythological and Religious Importance

Hindu mythology considers this temple as a location of great importance. Part of the Ramcharitmanas authored by Tulsidas is believed to have been written under the temple’s spiritual roof. Devotees make their way to the temple on Tuesdays and Saturdays to recite the Hanuman Chalisa along with seeking protection from planetary misfortunes, especially related to Saturn (Shani) and Mars (Mangal).

Evolution Through the Centuries

Natural events combined with time caused severe damage to the primary structure. Building a new temple during the early part of the twentieth century safeguarded both religious customs and the historic characteristics of the site. A devastating 2006 bombing left the temple unbroken while its enduring faith continues to welcome thousands of followers every day.

Spiritual Importance and Beliefs Around the Temple

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir in Varanasi operates as a spiritual worship center, alongside serving as a place that upholds religious rituals along with cultural traditions. The faith-based importance and the beliefs behind this temple anchor its position as a sacred religious spot that draws great numbers of devotees.​

Meaning of ‘Sankat Mochan’

The Hindu religious term Sankat Mochan means “Reliever of Troubles.’ Through this spiritual title Lord Hanuman proves himself as the divine protector who brings relief to all those who worship him. The temple founded by poet-saint Tulsidas during the 16th century continues to honour Hanuman’s endless fidelity to Lord Rama while showing direct help to those who seek assistance.

 Devotee Stories and Miracles

For numerous years, the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi has operated as a spiritual haven for devotees. The temple experienced a catastrophic bombing at its evening aarti service on March 7, 2006, which killed many people and wounded additional devotees on its premises. ​ Two coordinated bomb explosions hit Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station simultaneously, resulting in expanded flooding of distress throughout the city. Among the victims were at least 28 deceased people, with more than 100 individuals suffering injuries. ​ The devotees defeated terrorism with their unyielding faith even after this act of terror. Many worshippers revisited the temple shortly after the bombings to continue their sacred rituals as they demonstrated their everlasting dedication to the temple. ​ The authorities created a station for the police force within the temple area to protect all people visiting the premises. ​The temple attack reinforces the deep bond that exists between devotees and the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. The temple stands today as a representation of peace as well as spirituality and collective devotion and steadfast strength through challenging times.

Importance on Hanuman Jayanti

The Sankat Mochan Temple will be celebrating Hanuman Jayanti on 12th April,2025 as its major annual festival to honour the birthday of Lord Hanuman. The festival extends across five days with traditional devotional rites accompanied by musical and spectacular procession events.​ Kashi. Among the temple features is a distinctive element that includes many sacred monkeys who represent the symbolic presence of Hanuman. The temple premises gain life from these playful monkeys through their energetic presence. The playful monkeys at the temple will roam freely, so people visiting the site should lock their possessions with special caution because the monkeys are well-known for their naughty conduct.​ The celebration of Hanuman Jayanti includes devotees bringing both laddoos and sindoor to present to the deity. The practice derives from a tale about Hanuman applying sindoor as a religious symbol of his devotion toward Lord Rama and Lady Sita. A distinctive feature of this temple idol shows Hanuman positioning his body respectfully in front of Lord Rama while demonstrating his everlasting commitment toward devotion, which stands out from any other temple depiction. The Temple organizes the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh classical music and dance festival, immediately after Hanuman Jayanti celebrations. The performers at this event include renowned artists from all across India who share their art as devotional acts. Performers and spectators take part in this event for free to demonstrate devotion through selfless service.

 What to Expect During Your Visit

Temple Timings and Darshan Schedule

Visitors are welcome to explore this religious site daily from morning at 5:00 a.m. until evening at 10:00 p.m. The temple maintains open doors for people of all morning and evening schedules. People visit Sankat Mochan Mandir Varanasi in their greatest numbers on Tuesdays, along with Saturdays. Devotees of Hanuman strongly believe that Tuesday and Saturday are the most blessed days, so they should plan to visit during these times because there will be heavy crowds and longer waits for darshan. But the vibe? Absolutely worth it.

 Aarti Details and Peak Times

Watching the aarti ceremony at Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir produces a special enchanting feeling. You carry with you the holy combination of conch shells and rhythmic chanting along with the flickering light of diyas.

 There are three main timings when the temple performs the sacred aarti ceremony.

• Partha Aarti (Morning): 5:00 a.m.
• Sandhya Aarti (Evening): 8:30 p.m.
• Rathri Aarti (Night): 10:00 p.m.

Visiting during the early morning aarti will give you the most relaxed and meditative experience of watching the daily ceremonies. The strongest energy, along with an active crowd, emerges during the evening aarti service.

The Experience – Monkeys, Offerings, and Energy

You will immediately discover the strong spiritual energy that exists exclusively at this sacred site. The devotees perform both Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarkand, while some devotees keep silent, while others express their voices. People commonly read temple-provided free booklets, as you can take one from the available collection to participate. Moving on to the subject of monkeys, we need to discuss this aspect. The sacred temple guardians serve essentially as its unlicensed caretakers. At the temple, you will observe monkeys while they leap through the air and take prasads from unknowing visitors to create a whimsical mood. Defend your items tightly since these monkeys move swiftly and display intense curiosity. Guests must try both the Ghee Besan Laddus and Lal Pedas, which the temple provides as prasads. The prayer offerings at the temple receive recognition throughout the area because they are distributed to multiple cities beyond their original region.

How to Reach Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir

 Location in Varanasi

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir resides in Varanasi’s southern region of Uttar Pradesh, India, near Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus. This temple nestles peacefully beside the Assi River in an environment that combines local residents with street food vendors and spiritual vitality. People visiting the temple have easy access to nearby tourist facilities that make the area convenient for them. The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple has four accessible travel methods, which include driving through an Auto or taking the Train, flight, or walking.

Travel Options (Auto, Train, Flight, Walk)

People visiting the temple have easy access to nearby tourist facilities that make the area convenient for them. The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple has four accessible travel methods, which include driving through an Auto or taking the Train or flying, or walking.

By Air:

Sankat Mochan Mandir is situated at 23 km from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Babatpur.

The airport provides passengers with the option to select a prepaid taxi, auto or a cab through Ola/Uber, together with local transportation options. The journey lasts 45–60 minutes, depending on the presence of traffic delays.

By Train:

Travelers coming by train have access to either Varanasi Junction or Banaras Railway Station.

• Varanasi Junction (11 km away)
• Banaras Railway Station (5.5 km away)

Three different types of transportation, namely autos, tuk-tuks, and cycle rickshaws, as well as taxis, are easily accessible from both transport locations. You will enjoy a pleasant journey toward the temple when approaching BHU due to the scenic route conditions.

By Road:

The road network of Varanasi extends to connect its vicinity with Allahabad, Lucknow, and Patna. If you’re coming by bus:

Passengers coming by bus should stop at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Bus Stand because it lies 11 kilometers from the temple.

You can exit at BHU because the temple is located only 3 km from this campus

You can reach by riding either an auto-rickshaw or using a short cab journey from there.

By Foot or Cycle Rickshaw (for locals or nearby stays):

 You can easily reach the temple through either walking or riding a cycle rickshaw from the Assi Ghat, Lanka, or the BHU residential areas. Traveling to the temple on foot provides you with an opportunity to experience the authentic Varanasi lifestyle, which includes narrow streets, temple bells, along street chai stands.

Local Landmarks for Navigation

Need help with directions? Just ask for:

• Banaras Hindu University (BHU) – the temple is a few minutes from here
• Assi Ghat – another nearby spiritual spot
• Durga Kund Mandir – a beautiful temple close by

Locals are super helpful, and most auto drivers know exactly where Sankat Mochan Mandir is Just say “Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir,” and you’ll be on your way.

Best Time to Visit the Mandir

The climate of Varanasi operates under subtropical conditions that create better conditions for temple exploration in specific timeframes:

Ideal Weather Conditions

• Exploration is best conducted during October through March because temperatures stay between 5°C to 15°C, which creates comfortable conditions for visitors.​
• The weather during April to June reaches an extreme high point exceeding 40°C. It is best to organize your temple visit either in the morning hours or during the evening since temperatures reach their highest at midday.​
• Heavy monsoon rainfall occurs from July to September, resulting in potential travel hindrance. Once the rains end, the area becomes a visually pleasing view.​

Festivals and Special Days

Many people from different regions come to this temple for its active religious celebrations:​

• The April festivities of Hanuman Jayanti celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman. Attendees develop deep devotion at the temple when it conducts a three-day Ram Katha event, which shares stories about Lord Rama along with Hanuman. ​
• From April 16 to 21, the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh stages six successive days of classical music performances by established musicians, which show the temple’s dedication to unite traditional music with spiritual worship. ​
• Residents in Shrinagar participate in nine-day celebrations of Ram Vivah Panchami, which highlight Navah Path chanting with evening storytelling about Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. ​
• Basant Panchami’s Sangeet may Navah Path unites religious devotional chanting with cultural student competitions to demonstrate how the temple links educational development with traditional heritage. ​

Time of Day for Peaceful Visit

The following times offer tranquil visits to the temple:

• The Sri Shrimad Rajchandra Jain Trust conducts Partha Aarti from 5:00 AM until 8:00 AM for visitors. Visiting the temple during this time creates peaceful conditions that allow visitors to meditate and pray. ​
• Visitors can enjoy peace at Shri Ram Mandir through two special rituals known as the Sandhya Aarti at 8:30 PM, followed by Rathri Aarti at 10:00 PM. ​

Visitors who wish to experience the temple’s peaceful ambiance should choose alternative days to Tuesdays and Saturdays because these days give rise to high attendance levels based on their traditional spiritual importance.​

Nearby Attractions to Explore

Assi Ghat

One of the numerous essential tourist destinations in Varanasi is Assi Ghat. People from the university and visiting tourists gather at this ghat, where they enjoy calmness despite Varanasi’s noisy traffic. Devotees at Assi Ghat performs religious bathing in its sacred waters and presents flowers to the Shivlinga, and then takes rest upon the steps of the ghat

Tulsi Manas Mandir

The eyes meet a beautiful white exterior while strolling through the garden landscaping at Tulsi Manas Temple. The Thakur Surekha Das family built this temple in 1964 from marble, which became famous for its captivating architectural design. This temple stands as a holy destination in Varanasi because Tulsidas supposedly composed the sacred text of Ramcharitmanas from this location.

Banaras Hindu University

The institution holds the distinction of being Asia’s largest residential university, providing knowledge services to global learners. India recognizes this university as one of its best institutions due to its world-class infrastructure, together with superior educational amenities. During 1919, Banaras Hindu University started its operations under the leadership of Madan Mohan Malaviya and Annie Besant

Durga Kund:

Durga Kund lies about one kilometer from the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir in Varanasi. Tourists across India rank the Durga Kund / Durga Temple of Varanasi as a top destination. Legend says that the temple’s idol emerged autonomously instead of being crafted by humans

Local Food and Culture Spots

• Kachori Sabzi – Ram Bhandar, Thatheri Bazar
• Tamatar Chaat – Deena Chaat Bhandar, Dashashwamedh
• Malaiyyo – Thatheri Bazaar (Only in winters)
• Lassi – Blue Lassi Shop, Kachori Gali
• Baati Chokha – Baati Chokha Restaurant, Teliyabagh
• Banarasi Paan – Keshav Tambul Bhandar, Godowlia
• Jalebi – Shree Rajbandhu, Sigra
• Rabri – Pahalwan’s, Lanka
• Chena Dahi Vada – Madhur Milan, Sigra
• Kulhad Chai – Laxmi Chai Wale, Assi Ghat
• Thandai – Godowlia Thandai, Godowlia Chowk
• Banarasi Thali – El Parador, Bhelupur

Travel Tips for a Smooth Visit

Dress Code and Behavior

Any visitor should dress modestly in addition to choosing comfortable attire when visiting the sacred Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir.

The male dress code at the temple consists of wearing kurtas with pajamas or traditional shirts and trousers. Female visitors prefer wearing sarees, salwar kameez, or lengthy dresses.

Avoid flashy or revealing outfits.

The temple ritual requires visitors to maintain a low voice tone while walking with respect while queuing up for prayer. People find this spiritual spot to be a peaceful sanctuary, which becomes an ideal environment for contemplation.

 Safety Tips (Especially Monkeys!)

Visitors to these temples should acknowledge the monkeys since they remain part of their attractiveness, even though they contribute to the uncontrolled environment.

• Tourists often see the monkeys as friendly, yet these creatures possess a habit of stealing things.
• When visiting the area, follow these fast measures to protect your items from monkey theft. When visiting the temple, avoid carrying food with your hands.
• Wear sunglasses only when necessary and keep your clothing items from dangling freely. Maintain safety by zipping up your bags while holding them tightly.
• Residents describe the monkeys as temple protectors; they can observe from a distance, although they play around as unofficial guardians.

Dos and Don’ts Inside the Temple

    Dos:

• The temple requires visitors to remove their shoes before entering.
• Spend some time either reading or listening to Hanuman Chalisa because the temple space develops an exceptional peaceful state.
• Receive the holy offering with both hands in an accepting manner.

Don’ts:

• The sanctum’s sacred space prohibits photograph-taking activities.
• The temple grounds, along with their interior spaces, are off-limits for both eating and littering activities.
• The dangerous attempt to feed monkeys should be avoided because it ends in utter chaos.

People experience much more than ritual practices when visiting Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir because they connect with their deeper self. Visitors to this sanctuary can experience the Hanuman Chalisa chants while observing the radiant evening aarti and will find comfort from the noise of monkeys and benefit from this peaceful atmosphere. All visitors who have experienced the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir testify about how the peacefulness and divine power remain with them even after departure.

Varanasi welcomes you to spend more than just a passing moment when you visit. Step inside. Walk slowly. Fold your hands. To rid yourself of your troubles, you should approach Sankatmochan Hanuman with whispered confessions. Your departure will not provide full solutions to your issues, yet you will feel lighter than when you arrived.

This travel guide helps you capture some of the temple’s mysticism, and we invite you to join us for more inspirational travel experiences that explore different holy sites.

The destination awaits your presence. Jai Hanuman!

FAQs About Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir