Hanuman Ghat Varanasi

Vital Information for Visitors

Address:

Hanuman Ghat, near Shivala Ghat, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, U.P.

Open & Close:

Open on all days – 24x7

Entry Fee:

Free

Duration:

Approx 30 minutes

Celebrations :

Hanuman Jayanti, Ram Navami, & Mahashivratri

Significance :

Hanuman Temple, Juna Akhara, Akhara & Kamkoteshwar Temple; Association with Vallabhacharya & Goswami Tulsidas.

Hanuman Ghat is one of the most visited ghats of Varanasi. Hanuman Ghat is known so because a temple of Lord Hanuman was built here by esteemed poet-saint Goswami Tulsi Das of Ramcharitmanas fame. Earlier, Hanuman Ghat was called Rameshwaram Ghat too because Lord Ram had established & worshipped a ‘Shivlingam’ by his own hands. Girvanpadmanjari (गिरवांपद्मांजरी) of the 17th century mentions it. The Rameshwar Shivlingam, worshipped as one of the Dwadash Jyotirlinga of Varanasi, is presently located within the premises of Juna Akhara of Naga sadhus. In 1825 AD, Hanuman Ghat was made pucca by Juna Akhara Mahant Hariharnath. James Princep in 1831 AD mentions Hanuman Ghat. In early 20th century, the ghat was re-constructed by State of Mysore. Again, in 1984, the Irrigation Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh renovated Hanuman Ghat.

Hanuman Ghat has great religious and cultural significance since ancient time. A Telugu born at Varanasi, Vallabhacharya (1479 AD-1531 AD), a Viashnavaite saint, wielded great influence through his sect in Gujarat and Rajputana. Surdas was one of his disciples. A devotee of Krishna, he expounded his own doctrine of pure monoism. Vallabhacharya lived and meditated at Hanuman Ghat. It is one of those ghats of the city that contribute immensely to the social life of Varanasi. A large number of Hindu religious activities are performed here.

One of the major attractions of Hanuman Ghat is an ‘akhara’, a place or court where the body builders, wrestlers and fighters learn & practice new skills. Akhara holds a special place in Hindu culture & way of life. Akhara at Hanuman Ghat is visited by a lot of people to have a glimpse of the activities performed here. In every ‘akhara’, Lord Hanuman, icon of strength with moral authority in Hindu Dharm, is worshipped. A large number of south Indian pilgrims visit Hanuman Ghat.

There are eight temples and shrines, belonging to 18th century, in ancient Hanuman Ghat area of Varanasi. Rameshwar Temple, Siteshwar Temple, Laxmaneshwar Temple, Bharateshwar Temple and Shatrughneshwar Temple are ‘Shivlingam’. The other three shines are dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Lord Vishnu and Ruru Bhairav. Ruru Bhairav is one of the eight Bhairavas of Varanasi (Kashi). Hanuman Temple, built by Goswami Tulsi Das, houses a two-meter high idol of the presiding deity. Along with the statue of Lord Hanuman, there are paintings depicting the story of Ramayana. The verses from Ramcharitmanas are also written on the walls. Kamkoteshwar Temple at Hanuman Ghat is built in Dravidian architectural style and managed by Sri Kanchi Kamkoti Peetham.

Hanuman Ghat, adjacent to Harishchandra Ghat, is located near Juna Akhara. The ascetics of Juna Akhara and Hanuman Temple are in-charge of taking care of the repair of the ghat.