In Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, there is an ancient rule observed by every devout pilgrim: before you seek darshan of Lord Ram, you must first take Hanuman’s blessings. The temple for this is Hanuman Garhi — the oldest and most prominent Hanuman temple in Ayodhya, perched atop a hillock in the heart of the city.
Why Visit Hanuman Garhi First?
Hanuman is revered as the Kotwal — the watchman and guardian — of Ayodhya city. The tradition holds that the land near Ram Kot is where Hanuman resides to guard Lord Ram’s city. Just as no guest visits a great lord without first being admitted by the guardian, pilgrims seek Hanuman’s permission and blessings before approaching Ram. Hanuman Garhi is where this permission is sought.
History
Traditional accounts attribute the original temple to King Vikramaditya, credited with reviving Ayodhya to its former glory and constructing a Hanuman shrine at this spot, near Ram Kot. A date of the 10th century CE is also cited for the temple’s foundation. Both the Vikramaditya attribution and the 10th-century date are drawn from traditional accounts; neither has been independently verified by this site, and the two claims are not necessarily the same event. The temple has been renovated and expanded many times since its founding.
The site itself is deeply significant: the hillock west of Ram Kot — the traditional birthplace of Lord Ram — is held to be the very place where Hanuman resided in a cave to stand guard over Ayodhya.
The temple was substantially rebuilt during the period of the Nawabs of Awadh. It was Nawab Mansoor Aloi who ordered the construction of a fort enclosing the temple, and this work was carried out under the supervision of his lieutenant, Sri Tikait Rai. Despite being Muslim rulers, the Nawabs of Awadh venerated Hanuman and were significant patrons of the temple’s upkeep.
The Temple
- Climb: 76 curved steps lead up to the temple from the main road below — a symbolic act of devotion as you ascend
- Cave temple: Hanuman Garhi is carved into the hillock as a cave temple. The inner sanctum is reached by the curved stairway and the construction is considered remarkable.
- Main idol: Hanuman seated in a throne (singhasan), unusual in that Hanuman is usually depicted standing or flying
- Inner sanctum: An image of Mata Anjani holding infant Hanuman (Bal Hanuman) on her lap — a rare and beloved form. The full detail of the image becomes clear only on close inspection.
- View: From the top, you can see the Ram Mandir and much of Ayodhya spread below
Visiting Hanuman Garhi
- Location: Situated at the western gate of Ram Kot, near Sahadatganj, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh — approximately 1 km from Ram Mandir
- Timings: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM (approximate — confirm locally as these can change)
- Best time: Tuesdays and Saturdays draw the largest crowds; early morning darshan is more peaceful
- Prasad: Ladoo and besan barfi are popular offerings here
See also: Ram Mandir, Ayodhya — most pilgrims visit both temples on the same day.
Ayodhya Pilgrimage — Further Reading
- Ram Mandir Ayodhya — most pilgrims visit both temples on the same day
- Ayodhya History — the full narrative history of the city
- Ayodhya Timelines — chronological reference from ancient to modern
- Ayodhya Contact Details — accommodation, transport and helplines
- Ayodhya Event Updates — festival calendar including Hanuman Jayanti
Jai Hanuman Garhi! Jai Shri Ram!