Situated near the Assi area of Varanasi, the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is among the city’s most venerated shrines. It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, revered as the Sankat Mochan or “reliever of troubles,” a title that reflects his role in protecting devotees from hardships, particularly those linked to planetary influences such as Saturn (Shani) and Mars (Mangal).
The temple is traditionally believed to have been founded in the early 16th century by Goswami Tulsidas, the poet-saint who composed the Ramcharitmanas. Legend holds that Hanuman appeared to Tulsidas in a vision at this very spot, inspiring him to establish the shrine. In the early 20th century, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, founder of Banaras Hindu University, contributed to its renovation and expansion, giving it the form seen today.
The sanctum houses a striking idol of Hanuman facing the image of Lord Rama, signifying Hanuman’s absolute devotion. The temple draws thousands of visitors, with Tuesdays and Saturdays being especially auspicious. Since the 1920s, it has also hosted the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, a prestigious annual festival that showcases India’s finest classical musicians and dancers.
Though the temple was shaken by a bomb blast in 2006, it continues to serve as a center of faith and culture, drawing visitors and devotees seeking spiritual solace.
