Jakhu Temple, Shimla

Care to catch a glimpse of Lord Hanuman’s footprints? At one of the highest peaks of Shimla? Head off to Jakhoo Hills for the largest Hanuman idol worshipped at Jakhoo Temple. The place is extremely serene and considered sacred by the Hindus.

Jakhu Temple, Shimla – A Quick Glance

Statue of Lord Hanuman in Jakhu Temple

Famous for:  Largest Hanuman idol – 108 feet tall

Timings:  7:00am - 1:00pm, 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Visit duration:  1-2 hours

How to reach:  Accessible by foot, horse, taxi or Jakhu Ropeway; a trekking route of steep 45-min

Located at:  2.5km (1.6mi) east of the Ridge at a height of 2,455m (8,054ft) above sea level

Best time to visit:  September to June; Dussehra in October for religious celebrations

Jakhu Temple, Shimla – Overview

Set amidst the lush green background of the Shivalik hill ranges on the highest point of Shimla, Jakhoo Hills, the famous Jakhoo Temple, Shimla is an ancient temple cloaked in mythology and legends. The temple is a sacred one for the Hindus and it is believed to be the spot where Lord Hanuman had rested for a while on his way to searching for Sanjeevani Booti (medicinal herb). For mythological reasons, the site is one of the most sought-after tourist attractions of Shimla, attracting devotees and tourists from all parts of the country and outside.

Legends say that the Hanuman, on his quest for Sanjeevani Booti for Sita in the epic Ramayana, had rested at this place. It is the same place where he met the sage Yaaku on the hilltop, and the sage built this temple to dedicate it to Hanuman.

The Hilltop and the Scenic Beauty

With a spectacular backdrop of lush green Deodar trees wrapping the Shivalik Mountains and the nearby town of Sanjauli, the temple is nestled in the lap of the highest peak in Shimla, Jakhoo Hill. It is situated 2.5km (1.6mi) away from the ridge and is tucked at an elevation of 8,000ft above sea level.

Since the temple is at the highest peak in Shimla, the scenic vistas are enough to draw maximum footfalls to the site. On the way top, the Jakhoo Hill provides spectacular views of sunrise and sunset amidst the exotic mountains of Shivalik ranges. The trail up to the top is extremely relaxing, offering a path full of narrow promenades and mesmerizing captures of lush green.

The Temple and Its Beauty

The Jakhoo Temple, Shimla is colourful religious place with painted images of Hanuman adorned to the outer walls of the temple. There hangs a lucky religious bell at the outside of the temple, which is believed to bring good luck in 3 days to those ringing the bell at the entrance.

There is a 108 feet tall statue of Lord Hanuman placed next to the temple which is the largest idol in the whole world, and is visible from the entire city of Shimla. The idol is painted in a vivid orange colour, which makes it more prominently visible towering from above the natural greens of the pine tree canopy spread all over the Shivalik Mountain range. The soaring statue is illuminated during the night.

Jakhu Temple Ropeway

Timings:  9:30am - 6:00pm

How about some vintage colonial architecture coupled with the right dose of scenic views of the Himalayan landscapes topped with the religious factors on the way to this Hanuman temple? And how about experiencing the same in an aerial view?

This is one of the ways you can reach atop Jakhoo Temple – ropeway cable car from the bottom of the hill that rises to 8,054 feet above sea level and covers the distance of half a km in around 5-6 minutes. Not only it is time saving an option, but it also spares you of the usual human congestion on the roads.
 
The Jakhoo ropeway is one of the four major ropeways in Himachal Pradesh – others being at Solang Nala at Rohtang, Naina Devi in Bilaspur and Timber Trial in Solan. Each cable car can carry six people at a time, and is extremely safe to ride on. The surrounding scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, which is a prime reason many people prefer this option to reach the temple.

Dussehra Celebrations at Jakhu Temple, Shimla

The religious festival of Dussehra is a grand celebration at Jakhoo Temple. Celebrated during the months of September-October, the festivities mark Lord Hanuman’s heroic feats in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Dussehra is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. At this time, the shrine witnesses a huge influx of devotees to feel the antiquity and religious prominence.

Jakhoo Temple – Places to Visit In and Around

a) Jakhoo Hill – Treat your mind and soul with the scenic beauty of snow-capped Himalayas and the evergreen valleys located only 0.4km (437yd) away from the Jakhu Temple. Spend some time in the lap of nature watching the clouds or capturing the mesmerizing nature.

b) Lakkar Bazaar – At 0.6km (656yad) from Jakhu Temple is Lakkar Bazaar, the popular shopping street of Shimla. It is an old wooden market from where you can pick some wooden handicrafts as souvenirs, and Himachali woollen items at reasonable prices.

c) Sky Jumper Trampoline Park – Located at 0.8km (875yd) from Jakhu Temple, this is an amusement park for the entire family. With options like gaming arcade to basketball, volleyball, dash cars, and other recreational activities, it is a must visit for the adventure junkies.

d) The Ridge – Don’t miss the Ridge, 1km (1094yd) away from Jakhoo Temple, if you are looking for some free time during evenings in the lap of nature inhaling fresh air and visually treating yourself with some of the most striking panoramic views of the hills.

e) Kali Bari Temple –Seek blessings from Kali Bari at Shimla, located at 1.7km (1mi) from Jakhu Temple. It is one of the oldest temples of Goddess Kali and the surrounding is an absolute bliss for the nature lovers to enjoy.

Travel Tips at Jakhu Temple

  There are many monkeys in the temple and around. Make sure to be careful with your belongings to avoid being snatched!
  Try to avoid eye contact with monkeys on your way. Carry a stick, to scare them away.
  Remove your footwear before entering the temple.
  Don’t forget to ring the bell before exiting the temple premises.

Jakhu Temple is an experience and one of its kind temples in the whole world. Bestowed with natural beauty, it is a place for the religious ones, and at the same time for the nature lovers to treat their soul with.

See More: The Mall Road, Shimla