Where worries melt in the mountain breeze, and devotion finds its echo in the pines
Nestled amidst the lush deodar forests of Taradevi, just outside Shimla, the Sankat Mochan Temple is a beloved shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the remover of obstacles and the embodiment of unwavering devotion. Founded by the revered Neem Karoli Baba in the 1950s, this temple is a sanctuary of peace, strength, and spiritual simplicity, drawing pilgrims and travelers alike.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Bagh, Taradevi, Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh – 171010
- Altitude: ~1,975 meters
- By Road: 5 km from Shimla city center, on the Chandigarh–Shimla highway (NH-5)
- By Rail: Shimla Railway Station (~6 km)
- By Air: Jubbarhatti Airport (~23 km) or Chandigarh Airport (~120 km)
- On Foot: A short walk from the parking area through pine-shaded paths
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, worshipped here as Sankat Mochan—the one who liberates devotees from all troubles. The temple complex also houses shrines of:
- Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana
- Lord Shiva and Ganesha
- Navagrahas (Nine Planets)
- Neem Karoli Baba, the saint who envisioned the temple
Devotees offer sindoor, laddoos, and marigold garlands, and the temple is especially visited on Tuesdays and Saturdays, considered auspicious for Hanuman worship. Rituals include:
- Chanting of Hanuman Chalisa and Sundar Kand
- Lighting of ghee lamps and incense
- Offering of prasad and langar, especially on Sundays
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
The temple is a multi-tiered complex spread over 18.8 bighas, featuring:
- A simple yet elegant sanctum with Hanuman’s idol
- A langar hall serving free meals on Sundays
- Marriage halls and guest rooms for community use
- A children’s park and Ayurvedic dispensary
- Panoramic views of Shimla city and the surrounding valleys
The setting is serene and meditative, with the sound of bells mingling with birdsong, and the scent of pine and incense in the air.
📜 Historical Significance
In the early 1950s, Neem Karoli Baba meditated at this spot for over 10 days. Enchanted by its tranquility, he expressed a desire to build a temple here. With the support of his disciples, including Lt. Governor Bajrang Bahadur Singh, construction began in 1962, and the temple was consecrated on 21 June 1966.
Since then, it has grown into one of Shimla’s most visited spiritual sites, second only to Jakhoo Temple.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Hanuman Jayanti: Celebrated with bhajans, langar, and special aartis
- Navratri & Ram Navami: Marked by devotional singing and community feasts
- Weekly Langar (Sunday): A large gathering with free meals and kirtan
- Daily Worship: Morning and evening aartis, chanting of Ram Naam, and offering of prasad
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Tara Devi Temple: A Shakti shrine atop the neighboring hill
- Jakhoo Temple: A towering Hanuman temple on Shimla’s highest peak
- Kali Bari Temple: Dedicated to Shyamala Mata, the city’s namesake
- The Ridge & Mall Road: Shimla’s cultural and colonial heart
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Sankat Mochan Temple of Taradevi is not just a shrine—it is a hilltop hymn of hope, a place where Hanuman’s strength meets Neem Karoli Baba’s silence, and devotion flows like the mountain breeze. As you bow before the idol, with the valley stretching below and the chant of “Jai Bajrang Bali” in the air, you feel the burden of worry lift, and the soul stand tall in faith. It is a temple where troubles dissolve, and the **heart finds its anchor in the arms of the monkey god.
