Jakhu Temple, Shimla: Hanuman Mandir Story, Timings & How to Reach
जाखू मंदिरFootprints the faithful call Hanuman's, a 108-ft statue, and deodars on Shimla's highest hill.
Jakhu (also written Jakhoo) is Shimla’s Hanuman mandir, on top of Jakhu Hill — the highest point of the town at about 2,450 m. Here is the local legend of Hanuman and Yakku Rishi, what to expect at darshan, how to go up from the Ridge on foot, by taxi or by ropeway, and how to keep your glasses safe from the famous monkeys.
- ~2,450 m top of Jakhu Hill, Shimla's highest point
- 108 ft Hanuman statue, unveiled in 2010
- ~2.5 km steep walk up from the Ridge
- Open all year daily hours — confirm locally
Where is Jakhu temple and why do pilgrims go there?
Jakhu temple stands on top of Jakhu Hill, the highest point of Shimla (about 2,450 m), roughly 2.5 km uphill east of the Ridge. It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman: local tradition says he paused here while carrying the Sanjeevani herb. A 108-ft Hanuman statue, unveiled in 2010, rises beside the old shrine. It is open every day of the year.
Jakhu is where Shimla goes to meet Hanuman. The small shrine sits in a ring of tall deodars on the crown of the hill, built in the Himachali kath-kuni manner of timber and stone, and a set of footprints kept at the temple is shown to pilgrims as Hanuman’s. Beside it stands the bright orange 108-ft Hanuman statue, unveiled on 4 November 2010, which can be seen from much of the town below.
The name is believed to come from Yakku (Yaksha) Rishi, the sage of the local legend. You will see it spelt Jakhu, Jakhoo or Jakhu Mandir — it is one place. Tuesdays and Saturdays, Hanuman’s days, bring the biggest everyday crowds. If you are travelling on through Himachal, pair it with Hidimba Devi in Manali or the Shakti Peeths of Himachal.
The story of Jakhu temple
Retold in our own words from the local tradition of Shimla — told as belief, not history. The Valmiki Ramayana does not name Jakhu, and tellings differ.
- Lakshmana fallsIn the battle of Lanka, Lakshmana lay gravely wounded. Only the Sanjeevani herb from the Himalaya could save him, and Hanuman flew north to fetch it.
- A sage on the peakOn the way, local tradition says, Hanuman came down on this peak, where the sage Yakku Rishi sat in meditation — to rest, or to ask the way to the herb.
- The hill bowsIt is said the hilltop flattened under Hanuman’s weight. He promised the sage he would return, then hurried on — Lakshmana’s life could not wait.
- The footprintsHanuman never came back. The sage, it is believed, raised a shrine where he had stood, and the footprints shown at the temple are honoured as his.
Some tellings place the halt on the outward flight, others on the way back to Lanka; all agree on the sage and the footprints. Jakhu is old — a postcard from 1912 already shows the temple and its monkeys — but no founding date is recorded, so we don’t print one.
The hill is also the centre of Shimla’s Dussehra, which has been held at Jakhu since it moved from Annadale in 1972. In 2010 the 108-ft Hanuman statue was unveiled on the hilltop, and it has become the landmark people look for on the Shimla skyline.
Jakhu temple timings and darshan
| Open | Every day of the year |
| Darshan hours | Not published officially — confirm locally; plan to go up and come down in daylight |
| Aarti | Times are not published officially — confirm locally |
| Busiest days | Tuesdays and Saturdays, Hanuman Jayanti (Chaitra Purnima), Dussehra, and the May–June holiday season |
| Registration | None needed for darshan |
Based on the Shimla district (HP government) listing, Wikipedia and news reports, checked 23 Oct 2026. Hours change with the season — please confirm locally.
Festivals at Jakhu temple
| What | Date | Status / source |
|---|---|---|
| Hanuman Jayanti | Chaitra Purnima (March–April) | Biggest Hanuman day of the year at Jakhu. 2027 date: check the Hindu calendar |
| Dussehra | Ashvin (Sep–Oct) | Shimla’s Dussehra festival is held at Jakhu |
| Tuesdays & Saturdays | Every week | Hanuman’s days — expect queues |
We print an exact date only once it is confirmed. Hindu festivals follow the lunar calendar.
How to reach Jakhu temple
On foot from the Ridge
About 2.5 km, steep uphill through the deodars — around half an hour to an hour depending on your pace. It is hard work at this altitude, so go slowly.
By taxi
Local taxis drive up to near the top of the hill; from there it is a short walk to the shrine. Escalators have been installed for the final steep climb (check that they are running).
By ropeway
A ropeway (opened 2017) runs up Jakhu Hill from near central Shimla when it is operating — check on the day. It is not the new Shimla city ropeway, which is still being built.
Reaching Shimla
By the Kalka–Shimla toy train (UNESCO World Heritage) from Kalka, about 93 km by road below; by air to Shimla (Jubbarhatti), about 27 km, or Chandigarh, about 127 km. From our office at Ghumarwin it is about 107 km — roughly 2 h 10 min by car.
A simple Shimla darshan day
-
Day 1Jakhu and the Ridge
Early morning up to Jakhu by taxi or on foot for a quiet darshan; come down to the Ridge, Christ Church and Mall Road. Night in Shimla.
-
Day 2Kufri or onward
Drive up to Kufri for the views, or continue towards Manali and Hidimba Devi.
Every yatra is planned for your dates, group and pace — Price: Get Quote.
Before you go
- Mind the monkeysJakhu’s rhesus monkeys are bold: they snatch spectacles, phones, food and bags. Keep glasses and phones put away, carry no food in your hands, and please don’t feed them.
- Elders and childrenThe walk is steep at about 2,450 m. Take a taxi to the top area and use the escalators if they are running.
- Best seasonOpen all year. Snow and ice are possible on the paths from December to February; May–June is the busiest tourist season.
- Combine itThe Ridge and Mall Road, Christ Church below the hill, and Kufri further up the Hindustan–Tibet road.
Plan your Jakhu darshan with Suzu
Shimla is close to our home in Bilaspur. Tell us your dates and we will plan the drive, a taxi to the top of Jakhu Hill and an easy early-morning darshan — or add Jakhu to a Shimla–Manali or Himachal Devi yatra.
Questions pilgrims ask
Where is Jakhu temple?
On top of Jakhu Hill, the highest point of Shimla at about 2,450 m, roughly 2.5 km uphill east of the Ridge.
How tall is the Hanuman statue at Jakhu?
108 feet. It was unveiled on 4 November 2010 and can be seen from much of Shimla.
What are Jakhu temple timings?
The temple is open every day. Official darshan hours and aarti times are not published, so please confirm locally and plan to go in daylight.
How do I go up to Jakhu temple?
Walk about 2.5 km uphill from the Ridge, take a taxi to near the top, or use the Jakhu ropeway when it is running. Escalators help with the final steps.
Are the monkeys at Jakhu dangerous?
They are bold and grab glasses, phones and food. Keep these out of sight, don’t carry food in your hands and don’t feed them.
What is the story of Jakhu temple?
Local tradition says Hanuman paused on this peak, where Yakku Rishi was meditating, while flying to fetch the Sanjeevani herb. Footprints at the temple are honoured as his.
When is Jakhu temple most crowded?
On Tuesdays and Saturdays, Hanuman Jayanti, Dussehra and in the May–June holiday season.
How far is Jakhu temple from Shimla railway station?
A short taxi ride across town. Kalka, the broad-gauge railhead, is about 93 km by road, and Chandigarh airport about 127 km.
Keep exploring
Hidimba Devi, ManaliPagoda shrine of 1553 in the Dhungri deodar forest
Naina Devi, BilaspurShakti Peeth above Gobind Sagar
5 Shakti Peeths of HimachalNaina Devi to Chamunda in one loopAll pilgrimage toursJyotirlingas, Shakti Peeths, Char Dham & moreYatras & circuits
Seasonal yatras
Temple guides
Planning guides
Sources
- Shimla district (official) — Jakhoo Temple
- The Tribune — Jakhu temple escalators will be ready by Jan end (3 Jan 2024)
- Amar Ujala — Hanuman Jayanti crowd at Jakhu temple (12 Apr 2025)
- Wikipedia — Jakhu Temple
- Yatradham — Jakhu temple in Shimla (legend)
- UNESCO — Mountain Railways of India
Photo credits
Hidimba Devi temple in the Dhungri deodar forest — Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY 4.0 · Naina Devi town on the ridge below the shrine — Photo: Devyansh.sharma09, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Golden domes of Jwala Ji over the temple courtyard — Photo: Ms Sarah Welch, CC0
Legends are retold in our own words as traditions. Animations are original artwork by Suzu Travels.
