Hanuman Garhi Ayodhya: Timings, 76 Steps, History, Darshan

Facts checked November 2026.

In Ayodhya, Hanuman ji is worshipped as the guardian of Ram’s city, and Hanuman Garhi is where most families begin their darshan. The temple is small, busy and full of bhakti. A little planning around crowds, steps and timings makes the visit much easier, especially for elders.

Why do pilgrims visit Hanuman Garhi before Ram Lalla darshan?

Local tradition holds that Hanuman ji guards Ayodhya, so devotees first seek his blessing at Hanuman Garhi and then go for darshan at the city’s Ram temples. The Ayodhya district website notes the belief that Hanuman lived on this hill to protect Ayodhya.

In practice this suits most plans too. Hanuman Garhi sits close to the Ram Janmabhoomi complex, so you can take darshan here early in the morning and then walk on. Our Ayodhya Ram Mandir darshan guide lists Hanuman Garhi as the first stop on the darshan day for the same reason.

Who is the deity at Hanuman Garhi?

The main shrine holds a small idol of Bal (child) Hanuman seated in the lap of his mother, Mata Anjani. The Ayodhya district website describes it this way, and several temple listings agree. Wikipedia describes the idol as about six inches tall and mentions silver carvings in the sanctum, and Bhakti Bharat notes that the Hanuman Chalisa and chaupais are written on the temple walls.

The complex is built like a four-sided fort with round bastions at the corners, which is why it is called a garhi (small fort). Smaller shrines sit around the main temple.

What is the history of Hanuman Garhi?

Accounts of the temple’s origin differ, and it is fair to say so plainly:

• Ancient tradition: The Ayodhya district website says King Vikramaditya built a temple here that later came to be known as Hanuman Garhi. Incredible India gives other accounts: that the saint Baba Bhagwan Das built it in the 10th century, or that it was linked to Jagat Singh, a brother of Vikramaditya, or to Goswami Tulsidas.
• The present fort-temple (18th century): As reported by Gulf News in November 2019, the temple’s mahant said the present temple was built in 1774 on 52 bigha of land gifted by Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh. A Lucknow historian quoted in the same report said a Persian plaque at the temple credits Shuja-ud-Daula.
• A different Nawab account: Incredible India says the current structure was rebuilt by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Wikipedia, citing historical records, also mentions a land revenue grant by the Nawab of Awadh in 1855.

So these two Nawab accounts (Shuja-ud-Daula per Gulf News, Wajid Ali Shah per Incredible India) do not agree, and which Nawab built or rebuilt what is not settled. The temple is looked after by the Nirvani Akhara, and its traditions are old: as reported by PTI in April 2025, the presiding mahant traditionally never leaves the temple’s 52-bigha premises, a rule a senior seer said had been followed since 1737. In April 2025 the panch of the akhara allowed the gaddinashin mahant to step out for the first time to visit the Ram Mandir.

How many steps are there at Hanuman Garhi?

Most sources, including Wikipedia and several temple listings, say about 76 steps lead up to the main shrine. Some pilgrims count slightly differently depending on where they start, so treat 76 as a close guide rather than an exact figure.

The steps are fairly steep and get crowded. On busy days you move slowly in a line, with little space to stop. Hold the railing, keep children close, and leave footwear at a stall at the bottom before you climb.

What are the Hanuman Garhi timings?

We found no official temple website giving timings, and published timings do not match. Here is what different sources say:

Our advice: plan to arrive early in the morning, which works with every version above, and confirm on the day with your hotel or at the temple. Doors can also close for special reasons. For example, Amar Ujala reported that Hanuman Garhi and Ram Mandir were closed for about 18 hours during the lunar eclipse of 7–8 September 2025, reopening with the mangala aarti.

Mangala aarti is held early in the morning. Exact aarti times may change with the season, so ask locally if you want to attend one.

Is there an entry fee or VIP darshan?

Travel listings such as Trawell.in and Holidify say entry to Hanuman Garhi is free. We did not find any official paid or VIP darshan system for Hanuman Garhi. Be careful of anyone near the steps offering “quick darshan” for money.

What prasad is offered at Hanuman Garhi?

Laddoo is the classic offering here. Shops along the approach sell laddoo boxes along with flowers and sindoor. Hanuman Garhi laddoos are well known enough that, as reported by The Tribune in January 2024, they were registered for a GI (Geographical Indication) tag. Recipes vary between shops, so ask if you have any dietary concern. Buy from a shop with a clear price board.

When is Hanuman Garhi most crowded?

• Tuesdays and Saturdays: the weekly days of Hanuman ji, with long lines from early morning.
• Bada Mangal: the Tuesdays of Jyeshtha month (around May–June), which are very special in Awadh. Swadesh News reported thousands of devotees at Hanuman Garhi on Bada Mangal, 16 June 2026.
• Hanuman Jayanti: Amar Ujala noted that Ayodhya follows the North Indian custom of celebrating Hanuman Jayanti on Chhoti Diwali. Its report from Chaitra Purnima in April 2025 also described large crowds at Hanuman Garhi that day.
• Ram Navami, Diwali, and January–February: when Ayodhya as a whole is at its busiest.

As reported by Amar Ujala in April 2025, daily footfall at Hanuman Garhi was about 1 lakh people, compared with roughly 70,000–80,000 at Ram Mandir, and about 90% of Ayodhya pilgrims visit Hanuman Garhi. These are newspaper estimates, not official counts. For a calmer visit, choose a weekday morning.

Are phones and bags allowed at Hanuman Garhi?

We could not find any official published rule for phones at Hanuman Garhi. Follow the signboards and the police on duty, and do not take photos inside the sanctum. The strict rules apply at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex: phones, bags, smartwatches and many other items are not allowed there, and free lockers are outside the complex. If you plan to go to Ram Mandir right after Hanuman Garhi, it is simplest to leave phones and bags at your hotel or in a locker first. See our Ram Mandir guide for the full list.

How far is Hanuman Garhi from Ram Mandir?

The two are close and most pilgrims walk or take an e-rickshaw. We found no official walking distance between them. Amar Ujala reported in April 2025 that a 290-metre road called Bajrang Path was being built from the Hanuman Garhi exit gate to Ram Janmabhoomi Path, widened to 7 metres. At that time about 45% of it was complete, with about 150 metres held up by a land dispute. We have not seen a later report confirming it is finished, so ask locally whether it is open when you visit.

Note that the station distances above are to two different places (1 km to Hanuman Garhi, 1.3 km to Ram Mandir) and come from different sources.

How to reach Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya?

• By train: Ayodhya Dham Junction is the main station. From there, Hanuman Garhi is about 1 km, an easy e-rickshaw ride.
• By air: Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya, is the nearest airport. Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is the larger option.
• By road: Ayodhya is about 135 km from Lucknow and about 200 km from Varanasi by road (Yatra To Temples Ram Mandir guide).
• Inside the city: Private vehicles stop at designated parking. From there, walk or take an e-rickshaw into the temple area.

Is Hanuman Garhi suitable for senior citizens?

It can be done, but the steps are the main challenge. In September 2023, Navbharat Live reported a plan approved by the akhara to widen the stairs and exit gate and install a lift near the exit for elderly devotees. That is an old report, and we could not confirm that the lift was ever installed, so do not count on it. Tips for elders:

• Go on a weekday early morning, never on a Tuesday or Saturday.
• Take the steps slowly with a family member alongside, and carry water and any medicines.
• Avoid peak afternoon heat in summer.
• If climbing is not possible, ask at the temple whether any help is available that day.

What should I wear, and what time of day is best?

We found no official dress code for Hanuman Garhi. Simple, modest Indian clothes that are easy to climb steps in work best, and you will leave footwear at the bottom. Socks help on hot or cold stone.

Early morning is the best time of day: queues are shorter, and in summer the steps and courtyard get very hot by afternoon. If you want to attend an aarti, ask locally for that day’s time, since published aarti times differ.

What to see near Hanuman Garhi?

• Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir: darshan of Ram Lalla, a short walk away.
• Kanak Bhawan: the temple of Sita-Ram, said to be Kaikeyi’s gift to Sita.
• Dashrath Mahal: associated with King Dashrath’s palace.
• Nageshwarnath temple: the old Shiva temple near the Saryu.
• Saryu ghats and Ram ki Paidi: for a dip and the evening Saryu aarti.

Many families combine Ayodhya with Kashi and Prayagraj. See our Kashi Vishwanath darshan guide before you plan that part of the yatra.

How Yatra To Temples can help

Hanuman Garhi is on the route of our Ayodhya Mandir Darshan Yatra, a guided local circuit with e-rickshaw transfers inside the temple zone. On the Kashi Ayodhya Darshan Yatra, the Ayodhya day includes the climb to Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan and Dashrath Mahal. On the Kashi Prayagraj Ayodhya Tirth Yatra, the Ayodhya morning can be planned to begin at Hanuman Garhi. Prasad and offerings are paid by yatris themselves. For help with elders, timing around crowds or a custom plan, ask us through our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Should I visit Hanuman Garhi before Ram Mandir?

Yes, local tradition is to seek Hanuman ji’s blessing at Hanuman Garhi first, as the guardian of Ayodhya, and then go for Ram Lalla darshan. The two are close together, so it fits easily into a morning.

How many steps does Hanuman Garhi have?

Most sources say about 76 steps to the main shrine. They are steep and crowded on busy days, so elders should climb slowly.

What time does Hanuman Garhi open?

Incredible India lists 4:00 am to 10:00 pm, but other listings give different hours, some with an afternoon break. Go early in the morning and confirm locally on the day.

Is there any entry fee at Hanuman Garhi?

Travel listings say entry is free. We found no official paid or VIP darshan at Hanuman Garhi.

Who built Hanuman Garhi?

Accounts differ. The district website links the site to King Vikramaditya. The temple’s mahant told Gulf News (2019) that the present temple was built in 1774 on land gifted by Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, while Incredible India credits a rebuilding to Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.

Which is the best day to visit Hanuman Garhi?

For a calm darshan, choose a weekday morning other than Tuesday or Saturday. Tuesdays, Saturdays, Bada Mangal and Hanuman Jayanti bring the biggest crowds.

How far is Hanuman Garhi from Ayodhya railway station?

The Ayodhya district website puts it about 1 km from the station, now called Ayodhya Dham Junction. An e-rickshaw is the easiest way.

Can I take my mobile phone to Hanuman Garhi?

No official phone rule is published for Hanuman Garhi, so follow signboards and avoid photos in the sanctum. Phones are not allowed inside the Ram Janmabhoomi complex, so leave them in a locker if you are going there next.