Temples

The Sankat Mochan Temple in Varanasi was built in the mid-17th century by Goswami Tulsi Das Ji who wrote the Ramcharitra Manas.

It is believed that Goswami Tulsi Das Ji got inspiration from Sankat Mochan Temple to write and compose the Ramayan.
It is believed that Tulsi Das Ji with his deep bhakti and devotion had invoked Sankat Mochan Hanuman to come in his presence where he with his own hands had done the Pratishta of the Sankat Mochan Swaroop in the temple. Initially, the Sankat Mochan Temple form was very small, but in the year 1900, Pt. Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya Ji got the temple re-constructed systematically, and since then till now devotees from across the globe have been coming here to pay their respects.

The episode of the divine meeting of Goswami Tulsi Das Ji and Hanuman Ji :
During his stay in Kashi one day while pouring water Tulsidas Ji found a ghost on the tree, which asked him- 'Do you want to meet Shri Ram?
To which he got surprised and asked - 'How can you make me meet Shri Ram?' The ghost told him that for you to meet Shri Ram you should meet Hanuman first.
After telling this Ghost started to move into a dense forest, and Tulsidas immediately followed him. It is said that as soon as Tulsidas went to follow him he went to the Assi area which then was known as Anand Van (Forest of Joy).

On reaching the dense part of the jungle Tulsi Das Ji started getting worried. In such a situation, he held his feet and said you are only Hanuman, please give me your divine darshan.
After this, Sankat Mochan Swaroop of Hanuman Jii appeared in front of him, and on his request, the place where this episode took place is today known as Sankat Mochan
Temple.

Bankati Hanuman Temple is one of the most ancient Hanuman temples of Kashi. Long ago, there was a dense forest at this place, in which there were big trees all around.

According to popular belief, the idol in Bankati Hanuman Temple was found in the middle of the forest itself. That's why this idol is called Bankati Hanuman Ji the literal meaning which is 'Hanuman Ji amidst the Forest.

People slowly started worshiping Bankati Hanuman Ji in large numbers. During his stay in Kashi, Goswami Tulsidas, the author of Ramcharit Manas, used to regularly visit the Bankati Hanuman Temple to worship Hanuman Ji.

Tulsidas Ji all his life had great faith in Hanuman Ji and he worshipped Bankati Hanuman Ji with full devotion. It is said that once Bankati Hanuman Ji met Tulsidas Ji in the form of a leper (a
person affected with Leprosy) and gave his darshan.

The Shiva Mahapurana mentions Hanuman Ji as the 11th Rudra Avatar of Bhagwan Shiv. Bhagwan Shankar in the avatar of Mahavir Hanuman was there with Bhagwan Shri Ram
assisting and helping him in all his works and endeavors.

Lord Hanuman's strength was considered extraordinary, capable of even lifting the Drona Giri Parvat. He is also known as Vira, Mahavira, and Mahabali for his incapable strength and
wisdom.

Both the Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple and the Bankati Hanuman Temple belong to Hanuman Ji, who is the chief devotee of Bhagwan Shri Ram.

This Bankati Hanuman Temple is located in a very large complex. The vigrah swaroop of Bankati Hanuman Ji is installed in the middle of the Temple premises. The Bankati Hanuman temple is one of the most ancient Hanuman Temples of Varanasi.

Maharaj represents the five directions ime East, West, North, South and top directions. In the Panchamukhi swaroop Hanuman Ji's face radiates a brightness equivalent to the light of
thousands of Suns.
Shri Hanuman Ji took the Panchmukhi Avatar when Ravan, on realizing that he had to face defeat, sought help from his brother Ahiravan who was granted many significant boons.
Ahiravan using his Maya had put all the sena of Shri Ram to sleep after which he took Shri Ram and Lakshman with him to Patapuri. When the sena of Shri Ram gained consciousness, Vibhisan realized the foul play done by Ahiravan and he requested Hanuman Ji to rescue them back from the Patal Puri.
On reaching Patalpuri, Shri Hanuman Ji defeated Makardhwaj and on going inside he found out about the boon with which Ahiravan was blessed i.e he could be killed only by the one who could extinguish 5 lamps which were lit by him at once.
To tackle the situation faced by Hanuman Ji, he took the Panchmukhi swaroop and managed to extinguish all 5 lamps at once itself. After this Shri Hanuman Ji killed Ahiravan and also managed to rescue Shri Ram and Laxman Ji from Patalpuri.
From that time itself, the Panchamukhi swaroop Hanuman Ji started getting worshiped for completion of even impossible tasks and victory over enemies.

Mahavir Hanuman Mandir, is one of the most popular Hanuman Temples. The famous Sankatmochan Hanuman Temple is located at one end of Varanasi and the Mahavir Temple at
the other end.
The Shiva Mahapurana mentions Hanuman Ji as the 11th Rudra Avatar of Bhagwan Shiv. Bhagwan Shankar in the avatar of Mahavir Hanuman was there with Bhagwan Shri Ram
assisting and helping him in all his work and endeavors.
Lord Hanuman's strength was considered extraordinary, capable of even lifting the Drona Giri Parvat. He is also known as Vira, Mahavira, and Mahabali for his incapable strength and wisdom.
Both the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and the Mahavir Hanuman Temple belong to Hanuman Ji, who is the chief devotee of Bhagwan Shri Ram.
This Mahavir Temple is located in a very large complex. The vigrah of Mahavir Hanuman is installed in the middle of the temple premises. It is said that the Mahavir temple is very ancient.
The Mahavir HanumanTemple was established by King Arjun by building this temple.