Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple: History, Tuesday Darshan & Besan Ladoo Prasad

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi is open daily from 05:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Noon) and reopens from 04:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with general entry completely free (₹0). Consecrated by saint-poet Goswami Tulsidas in the early 1600s, this southern Kashi shrine draws massive crowds on Tuesdays and Saturdays for its potent Sindoor Chola darshan and world-famous pure Desi Ghee Besan Ladoo prasad (₹110 per 250g box). Due to high security, all mobile phones, smartwatches, and electronic gadgets are strictly banned inside, with free locker counters provided at the entrance.

1. Sacred History: Goswami Tulsidas and the Divine Vision in Anandavan

Long before Varanasi expanded into modern concrete avenues, the southern quarter along the sacred Assi river was a tranquil forest of flowering trees known in ancient Puranas as Anandavan (the Forest of Bliss). In the late 16th century, the revered saint-poet Goswami Tulsidas lived at nearby Tulsi Ghat, where he composed the timeless epic Ramcharitmanas and the protective hymn Hanuman Chalisa.

According to sacred oral history, Tulsidas performed daily ablutions and poured remaining pot water at the roots of an ancient banyan tree. Pleased by this selfless ritual, an enlightened spirit (Preta) revealed a secret method to obtain the physical vision (Sakshatkar) of Lord Hanuman. Following the spirit's instructions, Tulsidas recognized an old, leprosy-stricken man sitting quietly at the back of a Ramayana recital, grabbed his lotus feet, and refused to leave until Lord Hanuman revealed his resplendent cosmic form.

At this exact holy spot, Tulsidas lovingly sculpted the clay deity of Sankat Mochan ("Reliever of Troubles"). Unlike standard depictions where Hanuman carries a mace or mountain, this unique self-manifested (Swayambhu) murti stands facing south-west, gazing tenderly across the courtyard directly into the eyes of Lord Rama and Mata Sita consecrated opposite the sanctum. Devotees believe that chanting the Hanuman Bahuk—composed here by Tulsidas to cure his severe bodily ailments—liberates the soul from chronic grief, planetary distress (Shani Sade Sati), and sudden obstacles.

The sacred courtyard of Sankat Mochan: Morning sunlight illuminating the terracotta verandas where devotees gather with fresh marigolds, holy sindoor, and pure desi ghee besan ladoos.

2. The Legendary Besan Ladoo Prasad: Pure Desi Ghee and Sacred Flavors

No spiritual journey to southern Varanasi is complete without partaking in the celebrated Sankat Mochan Besan Ladoo. Prepared fresh daily inside the temple trust's private, sanctified kitchen (Mandir Rasoi), these golden spherical sweets are revered across northern India for their melt-in-the-mouth texture, nutty aroma, and unmatched purity.

The authentic temple recipe utilizes only coarse, hand-ground chickpea flour (chana besan), slow-roasted over low wood flames in generous cauldrons of 100% pure cow desi ghee. The mixture is infused with freshly crushed green cardamom (chhoti elaichi), crystal sugar granules (boora), and sanctified fresh Tulsi leaves before being hand-rolled by hereditary temple halwais chanting sacred Rama mantras.

Because the trust operates on a non-profit spiritual mandate, prices are strictly regulated at fair community benchmarks. A standard 250g box costs approximately ₹110, a 500g box is ₹220, and a full 1 kg box is ₹440. Devotees offer the box inside the sanctum, where the priest touches it to Hanuman ji's lotus feet, removes a small portion as Bhog, and returns the blessed prasad with holy Tulsi leaves.

3. Tuesday & Saturday Darshan: Rituals, Aarti Timings & Crowd Management

In Hindu tradition, Tuesday (Mangalwar) and Saturday (Shaniwar) are particularly dedicated to Lord Hanuman. On these days, the temple transforms into a buzzing ocean of devotion, drawing over 40,000 to 70,000 pilgrims from sunrise to late night.

Devotees begin lining up as early as 04:30 AM to witness the divine Mangala Aarti at 05:00 AM. The atmosphere reverberates with synchronized clanging bells, the roar of brass cymbals, and hundreds of voices chanting the Hanuman Chalisa and Sankat Mochan Ashtak in unison. The evening Shayan Aarti at 09:00 PM offers an equally sublime experience, where the deity is adorned in regal floral finery before the sanctum doors close at 10:00 PM.

A cornerstone ritual on Tuesdays is the Sindoor Chola Seva, where sacred vermilion powder blended with fragrant jasmine oil (Chameli ka Tel) is lovingly applied over the idol. According to the Ramayana, Hanuman smeared his entire body with orange sindoor upon learning that Mata Sita applied it on her forehead for Lord Rama's long life and prosperity. Devotees receive a consecrated orange tilak from the priest, serving as a powerful spiritual armor against negativity and malefic astrological transits.

4. Strict Security Guidelines: Mobile Phones, Lockers & Dress Code

Following the tragic March 2006 Varanasi blasts, security at Sankat Mochan was comprehensively overhauled and fortified under the surveillance of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Uttar Pradesh State Police. Devotees must pass through multi-tier metal detection doorframes and thorough physical body frisking before entering the premises.

The temple strictly prohibits **mobile phones, smartwatches, digital cameras, pen drives, earbuds, power banks, and bulky backpacks**. Even switched-off phones are not permitted past the security barricade. Devotees are advised to leave all electronics in their hotel room or use the official computerized electronic cloakroom located directly outside the northern entrance gate.

Lockers are provided completely free of charge; you hand over your items, receive a printed plastic barcode token, and reclaim your belongings post-darshan. While there is no rigid sectarian dress code, modest pilgrimage attire is strictly respected: shoulders and knees must remain covered, and dhotis, kurtas, or sarees are preferred over casual Western gym-wear.

5. The Monkey Survival Guide: How to Protect Your Prasad and Specs

The ancient banyan, peepal, and neem trees arching over the temple courtyards are home to hundreds of resident Rhesus macaques and Hanuman langoors. While revered locally as living representatives of the Vanara Sena, these monkeys are street-smart, agile, and remarkably quick at snatching loose items.

Follow these four non-negotiable insider guidelines to ensure an incident-free visit:

• Conceal Your Spectacles: Monkeys are notoriously trained to target eyeglasses and sunglasses, using them as ransom to demand food. Take off your specs and stash them safely inside a zipped interior pocket before walking through the approach lane.
• Zero Plastic Bags: Monkeys recognize transparent or bright polythene bags from 50 meters away as instant food containers. Always pack your prasad inside a closed cloth tote, canvas shoulder bag, or tuck the cardboard box securely beneath your armpit under a shawl.
• Never Make Direct Eye Contact: In primate behavior, staring directly into a monkey's eyes or baring your teeth is interpreted as an aggressive territorial threat. Keep your gaze lowered and walk forward with calm, steady strides.
• If Snatched, Do Not Fight: If a monkey grabs your prasad box or garland, never pull back forcefully or throw stones. Calmly solicit the assistance of a nearby temple guard or flower vendor, who will retrieve your belongings using gentle vocal signals and bread distractions.

6. Local Street-Smart Checklist & Scam Advisory

Navigating the bustling lanes around Saket Nagar and Lanka requires grounded, street-smart Banarasi wisdom. Keep these five practical recommendations in mind:

• 1. The "VIP Darshan" Middlemen Hoax: Touts loitering near Durgakund crossing often target first-time pilgrims, promising a "Fast-Track ₹300 VIP Darshan via the Priest Gate". There is no authorized VIP entrance at Sankat Mochan; general queuing is fast, fair, and free. Politely decline and join the standard line.
• 2. Authentic Flower & Tulsi Garlands: Buy your marigold mala, fresh red roses, and holy Tulsi leaves from the licensed stalls clustered right at the main temple entrance for ₹30–₹50. Outside roadside stands further down the road often charge ₹100–₹150 for wilted garlands.
• 3. Fair E-Rickshaw & Auto Tariffs: From Godowlia Chowk or Dashashwamedh Ghat, a shared E-rickshaw to Sankat Mochan / Lanka costs exactly ₹25–₹30 per seat. If reserving a private auto-rickshaw, agree on ₹120–₹150 before boarding; do not accept unmetered quotes of ₹250+.
• 4. Free Footwear Deposit: Dedicated shoe racks are maintained right at the temple gate. Do not leave your footwear at external sweet shops that force you into buying overpriced sweets in exchange for holding your shoes.
• 5. The South Kashi Sacred Trinity: Maximize your pilgrimage by combining Sankat Mochan with two iconic neighboring temples located within a 600-meter radius: the historic 18th-century red sandstone Durga Kund Mandir (Durga Temple) and the marble-inscribed Tulsi Manas Mandir where Tulsidas composed his verses.

7. Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh: The World-Renowned Classical Music Festival

Beyond its spiritual sanctity, Sankat Mochan is celebrated worldwide as the stage for one of India's most prestigious Indian classical music festivals: the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh. Founded in 1923 under the patronage of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and the temple Mahant, this extraordinary festival takes place annually on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti (April/May).

For six consecutive nights, the temple courtyard transforms into an open-air amphitheater where performances continue from sunset until dawn. Legends of Indian classical music—including Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan—have historically performed here completely free of remuneration as an act of personal devotional seva to Bajrangbali.

The festival is completely open to the public without entry tickets. Connoisseurs of vocal Khayal, Dhrupad, Sitar, Sarod, and Kathak dance gather under the cool night sky, experiencing the supreme pinnacle of Banaras Gharana culture and musical excellence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)