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Jakhu Temple is situated on the top of Jakhu Hill, in Shimla city of Himachal Pradesh,
at the altitude of 2500 meters. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is believed
to be in existence from the times of Ramayana. Situated in the thick forests of
Jakhu hills, the temple derives its name from the Hindi word Yakhsa. Yakshas are
the mythological characters in Hindu mythology, believed to be a link between humans
and Gods.
According to the legend, Jakhoo temple was formed when lord Hanuman visited Jakhu
hill, during the famous Rama - Ravana fight. Lakshman, the younger brother of Ram,
was critically injured during the fight and the only medicinal herb which could
have saved his life was available in the Himalayan range. Hanuman came to Himalayas,
but got confused, so as to which was the particular herb. Finally, he got that herb
and flew to Lanka, the kingdom of Ravana.
It was on his way to Lanka that Hanuman rested on the Jakhu hills. It is said that
the top of the mountain got flat by his and the mountain's weight. The temple of
Jakhu has since been highly revered by the locals. There are hundreds of monkeys
in and around the temple, who have made this temple and the area around it their
habitat. You can easily offer them eatable with care, from a distance, without any
danger of their harming you.
At the top of the famous Jakhu hill is located the famous Jakhu Temple of Shimla.
It is hardly 2 kilometers from the Ridge and is an uphill climb through the beautiful
deodar trees. The Jakhu Temple of Simla is dedicated to the monkey God, Hanuman.
The Jakhu temple is located at a height of 2455 meters and is situated on the highest
peak in Shimla. The scenic view that surrounds this beautiful temple of India is
absolutely breath taking and splendid.
The temple has an interesting legend behind it. It is said that a deadly arrow injured
Lord Rama's brother Lakshmana when he was fighting the battle with the demon king
Ravana. A priest diagnosed Lakshmana and said that he needed a particular Sanjeevani
herb from the Himalayas to cure Lakshmana. Hanuman was sent to get that herb from
he lofty mountains. Upon reaching the Himalayas, Hanuman couldn't make out as to
which herb was the Sanjeevani. So he dug up the entire mountain and flew back to
where Lakshmana was lying injured.
After Lakshmana was cured, Hanuman went back to place the mountain in its original
site. He rested on top of the Jakhu hill for sometime. It is said that the top of
the hill got flattened due to Hanuman's weight! The temple has been built around
the place that is supposed to have the footprints of Hanuman. It is a highly revered
religious place of Shimla and devotees throng in huge numbers to pray. The shrine
is a hotspot for monkeys who flock here in great numbers and generously accept eatables
that are given to them by devotees and tourists.
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