Jakhu Temple Shimla – A Divine Pilgrimage with Scenic Views

1. Experience the Divine at the Jakhu Temple Shimla is riddled with diverse scenic destinations. The fierce mountains, majestic valleys, and lush green forests beckon you. In the middle of the panoramic view lies the numerous vacation spots. Scattered throughout the city, these spots turn Shimla into one of the best tourist destinations in North India. The city gives the appearance of a small, quaint town of a different era. The divine retreat, the adventure sports, the shopping stops, the peaceful stroll, the trek along the forests, and the ancient buildings- the city offers a wide variety of flavors. Tourists can select from a myriad of options based on their personal tastes. The pleasant weather and clean air of the city enhances the overall experience and fun while offering a relief from the scorching sun of summer and freezing winters. Among the many locations in the city, the Jakhu temple stands out the most. www.jakhuropewayshimla.com

2. The Jakhu Temple The Jakhu Temple is the most popular temple in Shimla. It is located on the highest peak of the city, approximately 2500 meters above sea level. The temple worships the Hindu god- Lord Hanuman. Every year devotees visit the temple from all around India to seek blessings from Lord Hanuman. The government of Shimla even installed a 108 ft. tall statue of Lord Hanuman in its premises in 2010. The temple houses several beautiful paintings depicting the scenes of the Ramayana. The temple is especially decorated during the Dussehra festival with vibrant and colorful stalls set up around the temple. Additionally, tourists can visit the temple on Hanuman Jayanti for celebrations. The Origins in the Ramayana The temple has its origins in the Ramayana. Lord Laxmana was injured during the great war between Lord Rama and Ravana. Lord Hanuman undertook the journey to the Himalayas in search of the herb- Sanjeevani booti, essential for revival of Lord Laxmana. During his journey, he met the sage Yaaku on this very hilltop and learned the details for identifying the herb. Lord Hanuman promised the sage to meet him on his way back. But he encountered a demon named Kalnemi and lost a significant amount of time. To compensate for the lost time, Lord Hanuman chose the shortest route on his return journey, thus being unable to meet Yaaku. But after the war, Lord Hanuman returned to sage Yaaku and explained everything to him. After his departure, his idol appeared before the sage on this hilltop. Sage Yaaku constructed a temple around the idol. www.jakhuropewayshimla.com

3. Travel to the Jakhu Temple The temple is located only 2 km away from the city center and approximately 3 km from the bus stand and railway station of Shimla. It stays open from 7am to 8pm. Pilgrims often enjoy the 2 km trek to the temple amidst the lush green forests. The entire journey might take 1-2 hours to trail up to the hilltop. If the uphill trek sounds tiring, then travel by government taxis. They take you to the temple at minimal cost on a sharing basis. Moreover, the option of private cab is also available. After reaching the temple, there are another 300 steps to be climbed to reach the top. Enjoy The Jakhu Ropeway The government of Shimla inaugurated the Jakhu ropeway in 2017. It is an alternate travel option comprising an aerial cable car. It integrates international-level safety standards and reduces the travel time to a mere 6-8 minute ride. This fast transport alternative is especially useful in winters when snowfall might block the roads. The charges for a one-way ride are only Rs.250 for adults and Rs.200 for children. The ropeway is accessible by a 0.5 km walk from the Ridge. It is open throughout the week with both offline and online ticket booking options. The gondola carries 6 passengers at a time and ensures security with 48 safety devices and constant CCTV monitoring. The ropeway offers a spectacular view of the towering mountains in the backdrop, deodar and oak forests beneath, and cityscape in the front. Owing to the stunning visuals, the ropeway has even been enlisted as one of the adventure sports. www.jakhuropewayshimla.com

4. Stunning Visuals from the Jakhu Temple In addition to the hike among the deodar-covered forests, the temple top also offers a grand view. Perched on the highest peak, the temple provides the entire view of the city and the surrounding landscape. The view of the rugged Shivalik ranges and valleys makes the trip to the temple worthwhile. Both the sunrise and sunset at the temple are breathtakingly beautiful. The sunlight bathing the temple premises creates a picturesque visual. So the best time to visit the temple will be early morning or late afternoons. The clean premises of the temple are entangled with well-kept lawns. Savor the Food There is a pure vegetarian café under the tree boasting calm and spiritual vibes. If you are lucky, you can even have the langar- a community meal. The food is vegetarian, and the temple staff serves the langar on Hindu festivals, Tuesdays, and Sundays. One can bring their own snacks or meals, but beware of the mischievous monkeys. They don’t bother the devotees much except by taking away their belongings. Therefore, it is advisable not to carry any valuable items or food. Places to Visit Near Jakhu temple Jakhu Hill: The hilltop where the temple rests, offers a majestic view of the landscape. Tourists can rest there for hours and experience the serenity in the air. Lakkar Bazar: Lakkar Bazar translated to “Wood Market” in English, is famous for its wooden artifacts. It is present 0.6 km away from the temple. The market also sells woolen handicrafts in winters and cotton items in summers. www.jakhuropewayshimla.com

5. The Christ Church: Just 1.3 km away from the temple, the Christ Church is the second oldest church in India. It is another sacred place to visit in Shimla after Jakhu temple. It is popular for its Christmas Eve prayers. The yellow structure appears vibrant when illuminated at night. The Kali Bari Temple: The temple worships Goddess Shymala and is one of the oldest temples of Shimla. It is situated 1.6 km away from the Jakhu temple. The city derives its name from Goddess Shyamala, the incarnation of Goddess Kali. One can savor the Bengali deserts at the temple after worshipping at the temple. Conclusion Shimla is laden with innumerable religious sites. The tranquil surroundings and majestic landscape offer a spiritual sanctuary to the pilgrims. Each sacred destination has its own unique tale that amazes you. Tourists visit every year and marvel at the architectural abundance of the sacred sites. The Jakhu temple is the most visited temple in Shimla. It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and has gained more attraction for housing the tallest statue of the Hindu deity and the Jakhu ropeway– an aerial cable car that carries visitors through the majestic landscape. Any pilgrim that travels to Shimla must visit the temple and board the ropeway once. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience one should not miss out on. STAY UPDATED! www.jakhuropewayshimla.com jakhuropewayshimla@gmail.com +91 - 177 - 3560238 www.jakhuropewayshimla.com