Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
संकट मोचन हनुमान मंदिर
A Hanuman temple founded by the poet Tulsidas, home to many monkeys, and one of the most beloved temples among Varanasi locals.
Sankat Mochan Temple, whose name means 'Reliever of Distress', is dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman. Tradition holds that it was founded by the poet Tulsidas, who wrote the Hindi Ramcharitmanas in the 16th century and is said to have seen Hanuman manifest here. The temple sits in the shade of trees west of Assi Ghat, and many monkeys live in its grounds, which suits the Hanuman theme. It is one of the temples locals visit most often. The evening aarti on Tuesdays and Saturdays draws the largest crowds, and worshippers offer Besan Laddu, a sweet, as prasad. Around April each year, the Sankat Mochan Music Festival invites leading Indian classical musicians to perform through the night, and entry is free. Visitor notes: after an explosion attack in 2006, security has been strict, so phones and cameras must be checked in and shoes removed before entering. Watch out for monkeys snatching food and glasses. Getting there: a 15-minute walk from Assi Ghat, or 5 minutes by auto-rickshaw.
Opening hours
About 5:00–22:00
Nearby sights
- Tulsi Manas Mandir
- Durga Temple (Durga Kund)
- Assi Ghat
- Tulsi Ghat
- Chet Singh Ghat
- Harishchandra Ghat
- Banaras Hindu University
- Kedar Ghat