Sankat Mochan Temple is one amongst the most visited
shrines of Varanasi, the holy city of India. Located at Sankat Mochan
Gali (Street) in the southern part of Varanasi, Sankat Mochan Hanuman
Mandir is highly revered by the followers of Hinduism. The temple can be
reached easily by the means of local transport in the city of Varanasi.
Sankat Mochan is the other name of Lord Hanuman; consequently the temple
is dedicated to him.
The term 'Sankat Mochan' suggests "deliverer from troubles".
According to the Hindu beliefs, Lord Hanuman is provider of courage,
intellect and knowledge. Lord Hanuman is also believed to the eradicator
of all worries and tensions. Sankat Mochan Temple was established by
Tulsidas, the legendary author of 'The Tulsi Ramayana' (the Hindi
version of epic "The Ramcharitmanas"). It is regarded that
regular 'puja' (worship) of Lord Hanuman at this temple, brings good
luck to the devotee.
People visit this temple in large numbers on Tuesdays and Saturdays to
pay their homage to the Lord Hanuman. Since countless years, devotees
come here to seek the blessings of the Lord. People apply "Sindoor"
(vermilion) on the statue of Lord Hanuman and offer "Laddoos"
in the offering. Devotees recite hymns of "Hanuman Chalisa ", "Kishkindha"
and "Sundar Kand" as a due part of their prayers.
As per the Vedic Astrology, Lord Hanuman defends and liberates human
being from the wicked effects of 'Shani' (Planet Saturn). All those, who
have ill-placed Saturn in their horoscope, should offer homage at this
temple to get relief from the distress. In the earlier times, the temple
was very small in its size. Later, the temple complex was extended
attributable to the kind donations made by the devotees.
Festival
On the day of 'Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi", special prayers are
made to the Lord. The temple observes an annual festival on the full
moon night of the month of 'Chaitra', which is also known as Hanuman
Jayanti. At this juncture, a procession is taken out in the streets of
Varanasi. The festival too, attracts plenty of visitors to Sankat Mochan
Temple.
