| Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Proper name: | Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir |
| Location | |
| Country: | India |
| State: | Uttar Pradesh |
| Location: | Varanasi |
| Architecture and culture | |
| Primary deity: | Hanuman, Rama |
| Architectural styles: | Hindu architecture |
| History | |
| Date built: (Current structure) |
18th century |
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is one of the sacred temples of Hindu god Hanuman in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is situated by the Assi river stream, on the way of the Durga Temple and the New Vishwanath temple within the Banaras Hindu University campus.[1] The word Sankat Mochan in Hindi means reliverer from troubles.[2] The present temple structure was built in early 1900s by educationist and freedom fighter, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, the founder Banaras Hindu University.[3] Hanuman Jayanti, the birthday of Hanuman, is celebrated is fanfare, during which a special shobha yatra, a procession starting from Durgakund adjacent to the historic Durga temple to Sankat Mochan is carried out.[4]
In the mandir, special offerings are sold like the special "besan ke ladoo" (sweets). Also Hanuman ji is offered with marigold flower garland. Outside the temple, there are many vendors who sell pendants, rings, incense and holy flowers to the devotees. The temple is unique in a way that both Rama and Hanuman statues face each other.
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It is believed that temple has been built on the very spot where Tulsidas had a vision of Hanuman.[5] Sankat Mochan Temple was founded by Tulsidas who was the author of the Ramacharitamanasa, which is the Hindi version of the Hindu epic Ramayana originally written by Valmiki. Tradition promises that regular visitors to the temple will gain special favor of Hanuman. Every Tuesday and Saturday thousands of people queue up in front of temple to offer prayers to Lord Hanuman. According to Vedic Astrology, Hanuman saves human beings from the anger of the planet Shani (Saturn), and people having an ill-placed Saturn in their horoscopes especially visit this temple for astrological remedies. This is supposed to be the most effective way for appeasing Shani. While it is suggested that Hanuman did not hesitate in engulfing in his mouth the sun, the lord of all planets, humbling all the gods and angel, making them worship him for Sun's release. Some astrologers believe that worshiping Hanuman can neutralize the ill-effect of Mangal (Mars) and practically any planet that has ill effect on human life.
On 7 March 2006, one of the three explosions hit the temple, while the aarti was in progress in which numerous worshippers and wedding attendees participated. The crowd helped each other in rescue operation after the explosion. These explosions did not shatter the faith of devotees as very next day a big number of devotees resumed their worship as usual.[3]
The temple still continues to be attended by thousands of Rama and Hanuman devotees who chant Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarkand (also provided in form of booklet in temple for free). After the incident a permanent police post was set up inside the temple.[6]
Sankat Mochan temple is near the Banaras Hindu University, Bhojubir campus.
The Sankat Mochan Foundation (SMF) was established in 1982 by Veer Bhadra Mishra, the Mahant (High priest) of the temple, and has been working for cleaning and protecting the Ganges river. Its projects are funded in part by aid from the U. S. and Swedish governments. Mishra was formerly former Head of the Civil Engineering Department at the ITBHU, Varanasi and was awarded United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established the "Global 500 Roll of Honour" in 1992,[7] and later the TIME magazine's "Hero of the Planet" award in 1999.[8][9]
The foundation has been working with Australia-based environmental group, Oz Greene, under a programme called “Swatcha Ganga Abhiyan” for over 25 years. It celebrated its silver jubilee on 3–4 November 2007, with two-day event which concluded at the Tulsi Ghat, on the Ganges.[10]
Each year in the month of April, the temple organizes a classic music and dance concert festival titled, "Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh", in which musicians and performers from all over India take part. The first festival was organized in 1975, and since then it was attract numerous stalwarts of Indian classical music and dance world, including Odissi guru, Kelucharan Mahapatra, who was associated since its early days. In fact he was instrumental in starting women's participation in the festival with Sanjukta Panigrahi, Swapna Sundari and Kankana Banerjee.[11]
In 2009, the six day concert saw over 35 artist including, vocalist Pandit Jasraj and Kathak exponent Pandit Birju Maharaj.[4][12]
The 2010 concert was spread over five days, during which artists like, Pandit Jasraj, Sunanda Patnayak, Pt. Channulal Mishra, Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra performed.[13]
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