Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Neem Karoli Baba, Shimla

On our recent trip to Shimla, while returning back, our taxi driver Manu recommended that we must visit this Temple. We were not very sure as we wanted to reach our next destination Amritsar as early as possible. But he insisted so we decided to visit the temple.

As I and my husband Sunil got down from the taxi, we found that the way to the temple was completely broken due to some road maintenance work in progress, so we thought of returning back. But then one man standing near the temple shouted at us and pointed to a small pathway which was provided as a substitute path to the temple.

We then walked towards the temple. There were a number of temples inside, we were pleasantly surprised by the vast area, beautiful architecture and maintenance of the temples. Along with the Hanuman temple, the temples of Lord Rama-Sita-Lakshmana, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha are also on the premise.  

As we went praying from one temple to another, we were surprised to see the photo of Baba Neem Karoli in one of the temples; soon we discovered that the temple was established in 1950 by Baba himself. I had some knowledge about Neem Karoli Baba as read in the media – many American celebrities being his followers. Steve Jobs, along with his friend Dan Kottke, travelled to India in April 1974 to study Hinduism and Indian spirituality; they planned also to meet Neem Karoli Baba but arrived to find the Guru had died the previous September. Hollywood actress Julia Roberts was also influenced by Neem Karoli Baba, a picture of him drew Roberts to Hinduism. Influenced by Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg too visited Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram.

There is a small temple on the premise, dedicated to the Baba Neem Karoli. The view of Shimla city can be seen from the temple.

We sat there for a few minutes in meditation imbibing the energy with bliss.

Many times discovering new places as we go is a pleasant experience; when we do a lot of research before visiting a place then most of the time our expectations don’t meet leading to disappointment. This temple was a satisfying spiritual discovery for us. 

About the Temple

Sankat Mochan Temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Hanuman in Shimla. The temple is Shimla’s second most visited Hanuman temple after the Jakhu Temple The temple is located at an altitude of 1,975 m above sea level on the Kalka-Shimla highway. The temple was established in 1950 by prominent Spiritual Guru Neem Karoli Baba.

Rakhi Sunil Kumar