Where the wind carries Ram’s name, and the clouds bow to the monkey god
Perched atop Jakhoo Hill, the highest point in Shimla at 2,455 meters, the Jakhoo Temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the mighty devotee of Lord Rama. With its towering 108-foot statue, mythic roots in the Ramayana, and panoramic views of the Shivaliks, this temple is both a spiritual beacon and a beloved landmark of Himachal’s capital.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Jakhoo Hill, Ridge–Sanjauli Road, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – 171006
- By Road: 2.5 km from The Ridge; accessible by foot, taxi, or ropeway
- By Rail: Shimla Railway Station (~4 km)
- By Air: Jubbarhatti Airport, Shimla (~23 km)
- Ropeway: The Jakhoo Ropeway connects The Ridge to the temple in under 5 minutes
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, worshipped here as the protector of Shimla and the embodiment of devotion, strength, and service. According to legend, during the Ramayana, Hanuman stopped at this hilltop to rest while searching for the Sanjeevani herb to save Lakshmana. His immense weight is said to have flattened the hill.
Devotees offer sindoor, laddoos, and marigold garlands, and the temple is especially visited by those seeking courage, healing, and protection from fear. Rituals include:
- Chanting of Hanuman Chalisa
- Lighting of ghee lamps and incense
- Offering of bananas and sweets to monkeys, believed to be Hanuman’s kin
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
The temple features:
- A simple sanctum with a pindi and idol of Hanuman
- A colossal 108-foot orange statue, unveiled in 2010, visible from across Shimla
- A courtyard with panoramic views of the town and surrounding hills
- Playful monkeys that roam the premises—devotees are advised to be cautious with belongings!
The statue surpasses Rio’s Christ the Redeemer in height, making it one of the tallest Hanuman statues in the world.
📜 Mythological Significance
Legend holds that Hanuman met Sage Yaaku on this hill while en route to the Himalayas. After resting and receiving guidance, he promised to return—but was delayed by a battle with the demon Kalnemi. To honor his visit, Sage Yaaku built the temple, and it’s believed that Hanuman’s footprints still mark the hilltop.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Dussehra: Celebrated with devta processions, Ramayana recitations, and special aartis
- Hanuman Jayanti: Marked by bhajans, langar, and night-long worship
- Daily Worship: Morning and evening aartis, chanting of Ram Naam, and offering of prasad
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- The Ridge & Mall Road: Shimla’s cultural and colonial heart
- Christ Church: A neo-Gothic landmark from the British era
- Kali Bari Temple: A Shakti shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali
- Scandal Point & Lakkar Bazaar: For scenic views and local crafts
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Jakhoo Temple is not just a shrine—it is a skyward salute to devotion, a place where Hanuman’s spirit rises with the mist, and Shimla bows to its guardian deity. As you stand before the towering statue, with the wind whispering “Jai Shri Ram” and the valley unfolding below, you feel the presence of a god who leaps across time and space to serve. It is a temple where faith climbs with every step, and the **soul finds strength in the shadow of the monkey god.
