Hanuman Garhi Temple in Nainital

Hanuman Garhi Temple near Mall Road is a famous Hindu Temple in Nainital. It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman also known as the Lord of Celibacy or “Brahmacharya”. This “Hanuman Mandir was built by Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj.

Lord Hanuman was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama and is worshipped by many. The Hanuman Garhi Temple takes its seat at 6,401 feet above sea level and is a couple of kilometers away from Tallital Mall Road.

The temple is located atop a hill from where you can have an excellent view of the sunrise and sunset. On the other side of the hill, you can see the shrine of Sheetala Mata and the ashram of Lila Shah Baapu.

Religious Significance and Importance of Hanuman Garhi Temple

Hanuman Garhi Temple has great religious importance among the locals, as it was built by Neem Karoli Baba, who was a famous saint during the 1950s.

Baba Neem Karoli lovingly referred to as “Maharaj Ji” was a mystic and a devotee of Lord Hanuman. Therefore, he built the temple so his devotees could worship Lord Hanuman, who is believed to be the epitome of strength, loyalty, and dedication.

The Architecture of Hanuman Garhi Temple

The temple has a marvelous architecture, one can see saffron, white and red colors painted on the shrines present in the temple complex.

The sky-scraping statue of Lord Hanuman is the most prominent feature of the temple. The statue of Lord Hanuman is said to guard the area and locals against the evil energy.

The lifelike features of Lord Hanuman make the statue even more realistic. He is shown holding a mace or “Gada” in one hand and a golden umbrella is installed over the head of Lord Hanuman.

Inside Hanuman Garhi Temple Nainital

The temple enshrines an idol of Lord Hanuman, opening his chest with his bare hands, revealing the images of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, present inside his heart.

Lord Hanuman also nicknamed as “Maruti Nandan” is the son of Mata Anjani and Kesari. He was blessed by wind-god Pawan. Therefore, he is also referred to as ‘Pawan Putra Hanuman’, as Pawan Deva is considered to be the spiritual father of Hanuman.

Inside the temple complex, one can see also the shrines of Lord Shiva, Lord Rama, and Durga Mata, which are worshipped by the devotees.

Fairs, Festivals and Celebration at Hanuman Garhi Temple in Nainital

The Hanuman Garhi Temple remains decorated throughout the year. But during Ram Navami and Navratri, the temple is festooned with strings of flowers and lights.

Many devotees flock here in huge numbers during the festive season. On Tuesday and Saturday, the temple sees a heavy flux of devotees.

Entry Fee and Timings at Hanuman Garhi Temple in Nainital:

There is no entry fee for visiting Hanuman Garhi temple. The temple can be visited on all days of the week from 5: 00 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Things to do at and around Hanuman Garhi Temple in Nainital

Hanuman Garhi Temple is one of the most visited places in Nainital. Since the temple is bounded by lush green hills from all four sides. It attracts the attention of nature bugs to visit here.

The calming aura and the sun-kissed hills surrounding the temple makes the place spiritually uplifting. There are a lot of activities to do at and around Hanuman Garhi temple, here are some:

• You can enjoy the scenic view of the Tarai Valley from here and take some amazing shots for your Instagram. 
• Since the temple is strategically located atop a hill, you can have an excellent view of the Sunrise and Sunset from here.
• Engage in bhakti rasa by taking part in the evening prayer held at the temple.
• If you are a morning person, you can be a part of the morning Aarti and start the day by chanting mantras. Om!
• Enjoy boating in the tranquil waters of Naini Lake, around 3.2 km away from the temple.
• Embark on a mini trek to Sheetla Mata Mandir located nearby.
• Savour the beauty of the snow-pecked Himalayan peaks from Snow View Point, about 5.4 km away from Hanuman Garhi temple. The aerial ropeway will lead you to the Snow View Point, from where you can have a stellar view of the city and the surrounding beauty.
• You can commence a trek to Naini Peak which is about 12.6 km away from Hanuman Garhi temple.
• Nature enthusiasts can visit the Eco Cave Garden, a popular sightseeing place in Nainital just 5.7 km away from the temple.
• Wrap up your journey by paying obeisance at Naina Devi Temple, located about 4.2 km away from Hanuman Garhi Temple.

Best Time to Visit Hanuman Garhi Temple in Nainital

Hanuman Garhi Temple can be visited anytime during the year. Since Nainital experiences subtropical highland climate. Therefore, the city’s climate is influenced by its elevation.

The city experiences biting cold winters with heavy chances of snowfall during the months of November, December and January. Summers are quite pleasant here and are also the peak season for tourist visits.

Monsoon can be rough sometimes, which may hinder your movement. You must check with the weather department before planning a trip to Nainital in monsoon season.

Travel Tips

• Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple.
• You can easily buy prasad from the nearby shops.
• Don’t carry food openly here as there is monkey menace.

How to reach Hanuman Garhi Temple in Nainital

Hanuman Garhi Temple is located about 3.5 km from Tallital Mall Road and is well connected by road. You can walk on foot to reach the temple or hire an auto-rickshaw/taxi or cycle rickshaw to the temple.

Roadways: Hanuman Garhi Temple can be easily reached via road. If you are travelling by road to Nainital, Tallital Bus Stand is the nearest about 4 km away from the temple. The Tallital Bus Stand is around 295 km away from ISBT, Delhi and 385 km away from Agra Idgah Bus Stand.

Railways: Kathgodam railway station at 32.7 km away is the nearest railhead to Hanuman Garhi Temple. One can easily hire a private taxi or luxury bus to reach the Mall Road or Hanuman Garhi Temple.

Airways: Pantnagar Airport at 67 km is the nearest air connectivity from here. Private taxi or cab is easily available from the airport to Hanuman Garhi Temple.