Varanasi · Hanuman · Tulsidas
Sankat Mochan Temple Hanuman shrine · timings & visitor guide
Plan a calm, well-prepared visit to Varanasi’s beloved Hanuman shrine, traditionally founded by the poet-saint Tulsidas.
The basics
What Is the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple?
Sankat Mochan means “reliever of troubles”, and this temple is dedicated to Hanuman in that form, who is also closely associated with Rama. It stands in southern Varanasi, near the Assi area and Banaras Hindu University, in a green compound on the banks of the Assi river.
The temple is traditionally said to have been founded by the poet-saint Tulsidas, who is believed to have had a vision of Hanuman at this site and to have composed a large part of the Ramcharitmanas here. Most of the buildings you see today were built in the mid-20th century.
In Hindu astrology Hanuman is believed to protect devotees from harmful planetary influences, especially those of Saturn and Mars, which is why Tuesdays and Saturdays draw the largest crowds.
- Deity
- Hanuman as Sankat Mochan (reliever of troubles)
- Founded
- Traditionally credited to the poet-saint Tulsidas
- Location
- Southern Varanasi, near Assi Ghat and Banaras Hindu University
- Prasad
- Besan ke laddu (gram-flour sweets)
- Busiest days
- Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Timings
- Roughly 4:30–5:00 AM to 10:00–10:30 PM (see below)
- Entry
- Free
- Phones & cameras
- Not permitted inside; lockers are available
- Time to allow
- 30 to 45 minutes, and longer on Tuesdays and Saturdays
On the day
What to Expect at the Temple
The leafy compound is peaceful on ordinary mornings, but Tuesdays and Saturdays draw much longer queues. Keep loose items secure and have your offering ready before joining the line.
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1
Store phones and cameras
Leave electronic devices in the available lockers before the security check.
-
2
Choose temple prasad
Besan laddus are the traditional offering; buy them from the recommended shops inside.
-
3
Join the darshan queue
Follow the marked line and expect a longer wait on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
-
4
Attend aarti if possible
Morning and evening aarti add atmosphere to the visit; arrive early for a good position.
Before you enter
Phones, Prasad and Monkeys
Phone lockers
Phones and cameras are not allowed inside. Use the lockers before approaching security.
Besan laddus
The temple’s traditional prasad is made from gram flour; buy it from the recommended counters.
Monkey awareness
Keep food, glasses and loose belongings out of sight around the compound.
Crowd planning
Choose a weekday morning if you prefer a shorter, calmer queue.
Plan your visit
Sankat Mochan Temple Timings
Published sources differ slightly on the exact hours, so treat these as approximate.
| Session | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Opening | Around 4:30–5:00 AM |
| Mid-day break | Some sources report a closure of roughly 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM; check on the day |
| Evening (Sandhya) aarti | Reported around 9:00 PM |
| Closing | Around 10:00–10:30 PM; later on Tuesdays and Saturdays, reported up to midnight |
| Entry | Free |
Sources differ on the exact hours and on the mid-day break. Confirm locally before you go, especially on festival days.
Special days
Festivals and Events
- Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh — an annual festival of classical music and dance held at the temple in April.
- Hanuman Jayanti — devotees gather and groups sing the epic through the night.
Getting there
How to Reach Sankat Mochan Temple
The temple is in southern Varanasi, close to Assi, Durgakund and Banaras Hindu University.
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Step 1
Travel towards Assi
Take a cab, auto or e-rickshaw towards the Assi–Durgakund area.
-
Step 2
Ask for Sankat Mochan
Use “Sankat Mochan Mandir” as the drop-off point; the entrance is well known locally.
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Step 3
Use the entrance lockers
Store phones and cameras before proceeding through the temple security check.
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Step 4
Continue the south circuit
Walk or ride to Durga Temple, then finish at Assi Ghat.
Local advice
Tips for Visiting
- Leave your phone and camera in the locker. They are not permitted inside the temple.
- Buy prasad inside the premises from the shops the temple recommends.
- Avoid Tuesday and Saturday evenings if you dislike crowds; mornings on other days are calmer.
- Watch out for monkeys. Keep food, glasses and small items out of reach.
- Combine your visit with the Durga Temple and Assi Ghat in one morning.
Plan a route
Places to Visit Near Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
Combine these in one outing — each has its own visitor guide.
Durga Temple
About 700 metres to the north-east — a natural pair to visit together.
Read the guide →
Assi Ghat
The southern end of the ghats, with Subah-e-Banaras at sunrise.
Read the guide →
Tulsi Ghat
The ghat linked with Tulsidas, who is traditionally credited with founding this temple.
Read the guide →In pictures
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple: Photo Gallery
Quick answers
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple: Frequently Asked Questions
The temple opens around 4:30–5:00 AM and closes around 10:00–10:30 PM, later on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Some sources report a mid-day closure. Confirm locally, especially on festival days.
Timings, rules and fees at temples and ghats can change with the season and on festival days. Details on this page were last checked in September 2026 — please confirm on the day, especially for aarti and darshan times.
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