Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya

Hanuman Garhi or Hanuman Gadi, is dedicated to Bhakta Hanuman in Ayodhya. It is located near the Ram Janmabhoomi in the center of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh (India). Lord Hanuman protects Ayodhya, especially Ram Kot i.e. Lord Rama’s fort palace, while residing in Hanuman Garhi. It is a cave temple which is also called Hanuman Kot.

Devotees pray at Hanuman Gadi first to seek Lord Hanuman’s permission and blessings to visit Ayodhya successfully. The entire Hanuman Chalisa has been inscribed on the walls of the temple. Bhakta Hanuman is the protector of Ayodhya and its King as well. Any important work has to be first approved by Hanuman Ji and then executed in Ayodhya.

Just like the other temples of Ayodhya, Hanuman Garhi too was destroyed by the Muslims and rebuilt by the devotees.

History of Hanuman Garhi

After Lord Ramachandra’s return to Ayodhya with Sita Devi and Lakshmana following the forest exile and killing of Ravana, Lord Hanuman stayed back in Ayodhya to serve his dear most Lord. He was given the place at Hanuman Garhi to stay. Lord Hanuman could not stay away even for a moment from Lord Rama.

As per the scriptures, when Prabhu Ramachandra was living to Saket Dham, He instructed Hanuman to stay back in Ayodhya, rule over it until the presence of Sun and Moon and until the glories of Lord Rama are sung. He also instructed Hanuman to guide the devotees towards perfection.

Hanuman Garhi is also known as Hanuman Kunda as per the Skanda Purana. When King Vikramaditya rebuilt the city of Ayodhya, he built 360 temples there including the Hanuman Gadi.

The Fasana-i-Ibrat book by Urdu novelist Mirza Rajab Ali Beg Surur with its source as Sahifa-i-Bahadurshahi which he copied in 1816 CE mentions that Aurangzeb had destroyed the Hanuman Garhi Temple and built a mosque. Later, after the defeat of Nawab Shujauddaula of Awadh at Buxar, the Bairagis occupied the land in 1855 CE, removed the mosque and built a new temple for Bhakta Hanuman.

The Powerful Deity of Hanuman Gadi

A magnificent six-inch Deity of Lord Hanuman sitting on his mother Anjana Devi’s lap adorns the sanctum of the cave temple in Ayodhya. The Deity is always adorned completely with many flower garlands and vermilion. Hence, one would see only the orange coloured lotus face of Lord Hanuman only most time.

The Deity is flanked by silver or gold maces gifted by devotees. A silver tulasi garland inscribed with the name of Sri Rama always adorns the Deity. Behind Bhakta Hanuman, there are ancient Deities of Sita Rama Lakshmana as well. This Deity of Bhakta Hanuman is very powerful and believed to be a unique living Deity of Hanuman across Bharat.

In case, there is any shortcoming in the service of Deities of Lord Rama, the pujari of the temple is reminded by Bhakta Hanuman within two hours, about the mistake in worship. The head pujari of the temple writes a letter and offers to Hanuman ji in case of any permission or special request to be made.

Every evening at 4 PM, the pujari readies the simhasan i.e. royal seat for Lord Hanuman to sit bedecking it completely with flowers.

Architecture of Hanuman Garhi

This beautiful temple is built in the Nagara style of architecture. The temple is the highest structure in Ayodhya and can be seen from all around Ayodhya. The temple is accessible by climbing 76 steps. The colourful temple structure with many carvings are a sight to behold.

The temple is well-spaced to hold a good number of devotees at any given time. The pradakshina i.e. circumambulation path is well laid to circumambulate Lord Hanuman after his darshan. The main garbha griha has three doors which are beautifully embellished by silver carvings.

Colourful pillars adorn the entrance area of the temple. Sri Gauri Shankar Dasji of Hanuman Gadi says that there is a Vijay Stambha i.e. victory pillar in the temple. This pillar was brought by Lord Hanuman from Lanka and erected here in celebration of the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Devotees pray at this pillar for the fulfilment of their desires.

The temple is surrounded by many sweet selling shops and devotional paraphernalia shops. It is the hub of entire city.

Temple Timings of Hanuman Garhi

Officially, the temple is open for darshan at the following times:

Summer –

Morning: 07.30 AM to 11.30 AM

Evening: 04.30 PM to 09.30 PM

Winter –

Morning: 09.00 AM to 11.00 AM

Evening: 04.00 PM to 09.00 PM

The temple opens for Mangala Arati at 5 AM in the summer mornings and at 6 AM in winters.

Festivals of Hanuman Garhi

Rama Navami, Hanuman Jayanthi and Diwali are the main festivals celebrated grandly here. Though this temple is always filled with devotees, they swell up in huge numbers on these festivals.

Other festivals are celebrated too but in a smaller way.

How to Reach Hanuman Garhi

If you are travelling on the Ayodhya-Kashi Yatra by Tirtha Yatra, you will have an exciting darshan at Hanuman Garhi with the narration of divine lilas of Hanuman.

Being located in the heart of Ayodhya dham, you need to reach Ayodhya through one of the below modes of transportation.

By Road: Ayodhya is well connected to cities in Uttar Pradesh and nearby states by road. Uttar Pradesh state buses are available from major cities in the state 24 hours.

You can even hire private taxis from these cities or from a nearby town where you may be present. Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi are the nearest cities within a distance of 200 kms.

By Rail: Ayodhya city is served by two railway stations. They are Ayodhya Junction and Ayodhya Cantt. Trains connecting major cities and towns of India stop over here.

By Air: The nearest airports are in Gorakhpur 139 kms away and Lucknow 151 kms away. You can fly in here and use the rail or road route to reach Ayodhya.

A government airstrip in Ayodhya is being upgraded to create a new airport though this may take time.

Hanuman Garhi: The heart of Ayodhya

When Lord Hanuman was given residence at Hanuman Garhi or Hanuman Kot, it was known that he would watch over entire Ayodhya from here. Being near to Ram Kot, he would always be at the service and call of Lord Rama during His presence on earth.

To this day, Lord Hanuman performs his service to his dear most Lord staying here. He also blesses devotees to become strong in their devotion to Lord Rama. You need to take his blessings first to have a successful darshan of Ayodhya. This order was given by Lord Rama due to the immense trust He had in His pure devotee.

Lord Hanuman sets the example of perfect devotion to Lord Rama. We should always strive to follow the path taken by Lord Hanuman. At Hanuman Garhi, he will definitely bless you with sincere devotion to Lord Rama provided you desire. Jaya Sita-Ram! Jaya Hanuman!