Sankat Mochan Temple, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Sankat Mochan Temple, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Sankat Mochan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman located in Shimla City in Shimla District in Himachal Pradesh, India. This temple is second most visited Hanuman temple in Shimla after the Jakhu Temple. The temple is situated at an altitude of about 1,975 m above sea level on Kalka-Shimla highway.

History

Neem Karoli Baba / Neeb Karori Baba was a Hindu guru and a devotee of the Hindu deity Hanuman. He is known outside India for being the spiritual master of a number of Americans who travelled to India in the 1960s and 70s. Neem Karoli Baba visited Shimla during 1950’s and was awestruck by the beauty of Shimla. He spent two weeks in the forest area in Shimla doing yoga and meditation. He told his followers about his wish to build a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in this place. Eventually in the year of 1962 the then Lieutenant Governor Raja Bajrang Bahadur Singh and other followers started the construction of the temple. The temple was inaugurated on 21 June 1966 on the day of Tuesday.

The Temple

The temple spreads over an area of about 3.75 acres and situated amidst the natural forested environment. The temple is situated at an altitude of about 1,975 metres. The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. There are shrines for Shiva, Rama, Ganesha and Navagrahas in the temple premises. The temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha has been built in the South Indian style of architecture. The temple complex also has a separate shrine for Baba Neeb Karori Ji Maharaj.

The temple has a three storey building consisting of several facilities for the convenience of the devotees. There is a Langar hall in the building used for distributing the prasad. There is a marriage hall for conducting marriages at a nominal fee. The rest of the building is the residential complex of the priests and the staffs of this temple. The temple also has an Ayurvedic clinic and thirty well maintained toilets. The magnificent view of the Shimla City can be seen from this temple.

Temple Opening Time

During winters, the temple remains open from 07.00 AM till 06.30 PM and during summers, the temple remains open from 06.30 AM till 08.00 PM.

Festivals

Dusshera, Rama Navami and Vinayagar Chathurthi are the famous festivals celebrated here. People throng this temple during Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Taradevi Railway Station, 4 Kms from Shimla New Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Shimla Railway Station, 7 Kms from Shimla Old Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Shimla Airport and 37 Kms from Solan. The temple is situated on Shimla to Solan route.

Location