We went on a Shimla-Chail trip in April. The leisurely walk on Mall Road in Shimla and a visit to Kufri did not really delight us. The overcrowded Mall Road looked like Lajpat Nagar market (in Delhi) set up amidst hills. Kufri minus snow appeared nothing more that a yak junction. Much ado about nothing, we thought!
And, then we decided to visit the Jhakhu Mandir. After an exhaling walk on the hilly road, the usual setting of a temple appeared (prasaad and flower sellers and even a chaatwala). In addition, there were countless monkeys, affirming our belief that Hanuman certainly existed here.
The temple is small and has a legend behind it. When Laxman was wounded in the war against Ravana's army in Lanka, Hanuman flew to the Himalayas to fetch the Sanjeevani Booti to resurrect his life. On his way back, the tired Hanuman rested for a while at the Jhakhu hill, which is said to have got suppressed since then. The main temple walls have colourful illustrations of scenes from the Ramayana featuring Hanuman. In the other annexe is what is believed to be Hanuman's footprints.
The temple looks bejewelled among tall deodars and one can spend hours gazing at Shimla from a distance and wowing at the playful monkeys.
Also see: A magnet for meditators
Share YOUR travel stories and pix!
Have you been to Jhakhu Mandir in Shimla? Please post the information on the message board below so other readers can benefit from your advice. Remember to add information on what was special about the place you visited, along with relevant telephone numbers and addresses.
Advertisement
