Hanuman Garhi Ayodhya — A Complete Devotee's Guide

## Why Hanuman Garhi Comes First In Ayodhya, tradition holds that no pilgrimage is complete — and no Ram Lalla darshan truly begins — without first paying respects at Hanuman Garhi. Lord Hanuman is believed to have been entrusted by Lord Ram himself to guard the city. Walking up the 76 stone steps to the sanctum is the devotee's way of seeking permission from the gatekeeper before approaching the home of his master. ## The History You Should Know The temple is a 10th-century structure built atop a small hill. Local tradition holds that a sage named Abhayaramdas Ji discovered the murti of Hanuman here, and the Nawab of Awadh later helped build the fortress-style walls — earning the temple its name "Garhi" (fort). The four-sided fortified structure is unusual for Hindu temples and gives Hanuman Garhi its distinctive silhouette on the Ayodhya skyline. ## Climbing the 76 Steps The climb is short but steep, and it is part of the experience. Devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa as they ascend, each step a verse, each verse a bead in an unspoken mala. - **Easy pace:** Allow 10-15 minutes for the climb if you stop to breathe - **Footwear:** Remove and deposit at the base — the steps are clean but warm in summer - **Prasad shops:** Line both sides of the climb; buy laddoos on the way up, collect on the way down - **Senior citizens:** A side ramp exists for those who cannot manage the steps ## Inside the Sanctum The main murti is of Bal Hanuman — Hanuman as a child sitting on the lap of Mata Anjani. This is one of the few temples where the devotee meets the playful, infant form of the lord rather than the warrior or the devotee. Aarti happens five times a day. The evening Sandhya Aarti, around sunset, draws the largest crowds and is the most atmospheric. ## What to Offer The traditional offerings at Hanuman Garhi are: - **Boondi laddoos** — sold at every shop near the temple - **Sindoor** — Hanuman is associated with the colour, and pilgrims often apply a tilak after darshan - **A red flag (jhanda)** — devotees who have had a wish fulfilled often offer a flag to be tied at the temple ## Aarti Timings | Aarti | Time | | --- | --- | | Mangala Aarti | 4:30 AM | | Shringar Aarti | 8:30 AM | | Bhog Aarti | 11:30 AM | | Sandhya Aarti | Sunset | | Shayan Aarti | 9:30 PM | ## When to Visit Tuesdays and Saturdays are Hanuman's days and see the largest crowds — be prepared for queues stretching down the steps. For a calmer experience, visit on a weekday morning before 9 AM. The temple is open every day of the year. ## Combining with Ram Mandir Hanuman Garhi sits roughly 1 km from the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. The traditional sequence is: 1. Hanuman Garhi (morning) 2. Kanak Bhawan (mid-morning) 3. Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir (afternoon) 4. Saryu Aarti at Ram Ki Paidi (evening) Following this order means each darshan deepens the next. ## A Few Practical Notes - **Photography:** Allowed in the courtyard, restricted near the murti - **Locker:** Available at the base for bags and electronics - **Wheelchair:** The side ramp is wheelchair-friendly with assistance - **Crowd management:** During Hanuman Jayanti and Tuesdays, expect 1-2 hour queues ## A Final Word Hanuman Garhi is not the most architecturally elaborate temple in Ayodhya, nor the largest, nor the newest. But it is, by quiet consensus among locals and pilgrims alike, the temple where the city's heart beats most clearly. Climb the steps slowly. Take your time at the top. The view of Ayodhya from the temple courtyard, especially at sunset, is its own form of darshan.