Jakhu Temple

During the battle of Ramayana, between Rama and Ravana, Lakshmana was seriously injured by Indrajit's (Ravana's son) arrow. To revive him, Hanuman sought after the much acclaimed Sanjeevani plant which is said to cure any malady. It is said that Lord Hanuman stopped here on the way retrieve the medicinal plant. Also, it is believed that the place has earned its name from sage 'Yakoo' whom Hanuman had seen sitting here while he was on his way to the Himalayas.

To gather more details about the plant, he landed here. The result of which the Jakhoo hill which was much higher, sunk halfway into the earth. He proceeded onto Mount Dronagiri in the Himalayas and promised to visit sage Yaaku to meet him on his return. However, on his way back, due to the shortage of time, and his confrontation with the cunning demon, Kaalnemi, he could not make it back to the hill. Sage Yaaku supposedly built this temple in the honour of Lord Hanuman.

Legend says that the temple has been built around Hanuman’s footprints. The monkeys that flock and reside around the shrine here are said to be the descendants of Lord Hanuman. The original date of construction of the temple is not clearly known but is believed to be existing since the times of Ramayana.

Being the highest peak in Shimla, the scenic vistas Jakhoo Temple provides are enough of an incentive to visit this place. The Jakhoo hill provides amazing views of sunrise, sunset, the lofty mountains of the Shivalik ranges and the nearby town of Sanjauli. The trail up to the temple offers a relaxing, serene path full of narrow promenades and excellent views surrounded by deodar trees. The temple itself is a quiet place housing a shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

The premises hold murals and paintings showing Hanuman's feats during Ramayana. The huge 108 feet tall idol of Hanuman installed here in 2010 is a grand sight and has played an important part in attracting an increasing number of tourists throughout the years, who come here to witness this architectural marvel. The soaring statue is illuminated during the night. It is visible from almost anywhere in Shimla, even during the day! An endless number of monkeys flock the hill and is a wonderful sight to experience, but beware of their mischievous behaviour.

The fantastic Gondola ride rises to 8,054 feet above sea level and covers the distance of half a kilometre in not more than 5-6 minutes, thereby sparing you of the usual human congestion on the roads. The Jakhoo ropeway is one of the four major ropeway attractions in the state, with the other being - Solang Nala at Rohtang, Naina Devi in Bilaspur and Timber Trial in Solan. Each ropeway cabin can carry six people.

The festival of Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is celebrated on a grand scale during the month of October/September at the Jakhoo Temple because of Lord Hanuman's heroic feats in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Dussehra marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana.