Shri Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Varanasi (श्री संकट मोचन हनुमान मंदिर)

The Dispeller of Sorrows in the Eternal City: Shri Sankat Mochan

Nestled along the quiet, verdant banks of the ancient Assi stream in the southern quadrant of **Varanasi (Kashi), Uttar Pradesh** (located approximately 2 km southwest of Assi Ghat, 3 km from the gates of Banaras Hindu University, and 11 km south of Varanasi Cantt railway station), the Shri Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple (श्री संकट मोचन हनुमान मंदिर) is universally revered as one of India's most spiritually charged and emotionally comforting sanctuaries. In the theology of Kashi—where Lord Shiva is the cosmic overlord (*Kashi Naresh*) and Bhairava is the police chief (*Kotwal*)—Lord Hanuman stands as the supreme compassionate intercessor (*Sankat Mochan*, literally "The Deliverer from All Troubles"), protecting pilgrims, scholars, and ascetic seekers from physical dangers, mental anguish, and celestial planetary afflictions.

The sublime founding chronicle of the temple is directly tied to the life of the supreme medieval devotional poet, **Goswami Tulsidas** (c. 1532–1623 CE). According to celebrated traditional biographies such as the *Bhaktamal* of Nabhadas and Priyadas's commentary, Tulsidas resided at Assi Ghat while translating the sacred Sanskrit *Valmiki Ramayana* into the vernacular Awadhi language as the *Ramcharitmanas*. Every morning, following his sacred bath in the Ganga, Tulsidas would pour water at the roots of an ancient banyan tree on his return walk along the Assi riverbank. Pleased by this humble offering, a spirit (*Preta*) residing in the tree revealed itself and offered the saint a boon. Tulsidas requested only one desire: to behold the living physical vision (*darshan*) of Lord Rama. The spirit replied that only Lord Hanuman possessed the power to grant such a vision, instructing Tulsidas to seek out a decrepit, leprosy-afflicted old man who arrived first and departed last from every recitation of the Ramayana in the city.

Tulsidas followed the mysterious old listener to a secluded, forested clearing along the Assi stream. Falling at the old man's feet, Tulsidas clung to his ankles and refused to release them until the stranger revealed his true cosmic identity. Deeply touched by the poet's pure, single-minded devotion, the disguise dissolved, and **Lord Hanuman manifested in his radiant celestial form**, blessing Tulsidas with the vision of Lord Rama at Chitrakoot. Overwhelmed with ecstatic gratitude, Tulsidas consecrated a clay idol of Lord Hanuman at that exact woodland spot, creating the foundational shrine of Sankat Mochan.

Unique Iconography: The Clay Deity Facing His Lord

The sacred idol of Lord Hanuman inside the garbhagriha of Sankat Mochan possesses distinctive theological and material characteristics rarely found in contemporary temples:

Devotees observe that Lord Hanuman's right hand rests gently near his chest while his left hand rests upon his waist. His gaze is described by centuries of visiting saints—including Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's disciples, and Sant Morari Bapu—as emitting profound warmth, parental protection, and profound peace, banishing the anxiety and restlessness of modern worldly life.

The Cultural Citadel: Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh

Beyond its religious sanctity, Sankat Mochan Temple occupies an immortal place in the annals of Indian classical music. Since **1923**, the temple has hosted the **Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh**, a world-famous five-night all-night classical music and dance festival held during the auspicious celebration of **Hanuman Jayanti** (March–April):

• The Tradition of Haziri (Sacred Offering): In an era of commercialization, the Sankat Mochan festival preserves an unshakeable sacred code: no artist, regardless of international stature, accepts monetary compensation. Maestri perform their music as a pure spiritual offering (*Haziri*) directly before Lord Hanuman and the music-loving public of Kashi.
• A Century of Legendary Maestri: Over the past century, virtually every titan of Hindustani and Carnatic music has performed on the temple's open-air courtyard stage. Immortal luminaries including **Pandit Ravi Shankar** (sitar), **Ustad Bismillah Khan** (shehnai), **Pandit Bhimsen Joshi** (vocal), **Pandit Jasraj** (vocal), **Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia** (flute), **Pandit Shivkumar Sharma** (santoor), **Ustad Zakir Hussain** (tabla), and **Ustad Amjad Ali Khan** (sarod) have delivered some of their most transcendent recitals here, performing through the cool midnight hours until the dawn Mangala aarti.
• Syncretic Cultural Harmony: The festival stands as a glorious beacon of India's composite culture (*Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb*). Muslim, Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist instrumentalists and vocalists share the same sanctified dais, united by pure acoustic art and shared reverence for the sacred spirit of Varanasi.

Architectural Renewal: The Vision of Mahamana Malaviya

While the spiritual foundation belongs to the 16th century, the expansive, well-planned temple complex seen today owes its preservation to the visionary statesman and educational reformer **Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya** (1861–1946). In the early decades of the twentieth century, recognizing that the rustic woodland shrine required modern facilities to accommodate swelling crowds of pilgrims from across India, Malaviya spearheaded a noble public restoration campaign.

Under Malaviya's stewardship, the sanctum was rebuilt using durable Chunar sandstone, surrounded by wide covered verandas (*parikrama*), paved flagstone pathways, clean administrative offices, and high protective perimeter walls that preserved the surrounding canopy of ancient neem, peepal, and mango trees. Malaviya also established the hereditary trusteeship under the revered family of **Pandit Veer Bhadra Mishra**, the former Mahant and renowned environmental hydraulic engineer of BHU who dedicated his life to cleaning the Ganga and Assi rivers.

In March 2006, when tragic bomb blasts targeted the temple complex, the resilience and spiritual maturity of Kashi shone brightly: within hours, temple priests cleaned the sanctum, re-lit the oil lamps, and resumed unbroken recitations of the *Hanuman Chalisa*, while citizens of all faiths gathered in mutual solidarity to reject terror and reaffirm the eternal peace of Sankat Mochan.

The Sacred Prasad: Pure Desi Ghee Besan Ke Laddu

A visit to Sankat Mochan Temple is inseparable from the experience of receiving its world-famous prasad: the celebrated **Besan ke Laddu**. Prepared daily within the temple's strictly maintained, traditional kitchens using coarse gram flour (*besan*), crystallized sugar (*boora*), crushed green cardamom, melon seeds (*magaj*), and pure desi cow ghee, these golden, aromatic laddus are offered to Lord Hanuman in massive ceremonial platters during every major aarti.

On auspicious **Tuesdays and Saturdays**—the sacred days of Hanuman—thousands of kilograms of fresh laddus are distributed among queuing pilgrims. Devotees also offer sacred basil leaves (*tulsi dal*), red floral garlands, and red clay lamps filled with mustard or jasmine oil to ward off malefic influences of Saturn (*Shani Sade Sati*) and Mars (*Mangal Dosha*).

Practical Visitor Guide: Planning Your Visit to Sankat Mochan Temple

How to Reach Sankat Mochan Temple in Varanasi

Sankat Mochan Temple is situated on Sankat Mochan Road, easily accessible from any part of Varanasi. Visitors staying along the Ghats can take a pleasant 20-minute walk or 5-minute auto-rickshaw ride from Assi Ghat. From Varanasi Junction railway station (BSB) or Banaras station (BSBS), pre-paid auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and app-based cabs operate continuously along the Lanka-Durgakund arterial route. The temple area features secure footwear stalls, official prasad counters, and shady garden benches.

Surrounding Spiritual Circuit in Southern Varanasi

• Durga Kund Mandir (1 km north): Historic 18th-century red ochre Shakta temple built in Nagara style by the Maharani of Natore, with a grand square stepped tank.
• Tulsi Manas Mandir (1.2 km north): Modern white marble temple built on the site where Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas, with its walls engraved with the entire text.
• Assi Ghat (2 km east): The southernmost and widest ghat on the Ganga, celebrated for serene morning *Subah-e-Banaras* aartis, classical music recitals, and yoga sessions.
• New Vishwanath Temple, BHU (2.5 km south): Towering 77-meter marble temple dedicated to Lord Shiva situated at the heart of the Banaras Hindu University campus.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple Varanasi

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