Seven Hills
When thinking of seven hills, one will remember Tirupathi down south, the abode of Lord Balaji. In this congregation of seven hills, namely Sheshatri, Vedadri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri ("Adri" in Sanskrit means a hill), the seventh peak, "Venkatadri," is the abode of Lord Balaji. One of the hill's name is "Anjanadri," dedicated to Mata Anjana Devi, mother of Lord Anjaneya. Anjana Devi, wife of Vanara chieftain Kesari, had undertaken the penance, chanting the name of Lord Maheswara at this hill. Lord Maheswara granted the blessing to Mata Anjana Devi, that she will bear a child with "ruthra-amsa" through Kesari. Mata Anjana Devi was rewarded for her penance and blessed with a son, Sri Anjaneya. There are variations to this version. But even among those variations, penance undertaken on this hill by Anjana Devi has a mention. Therefore, the hill was named "Anjanadri.".
Simla, the Seven Hills
One may be aware that Simla, the present capital of Himachal Pradesh, was once the summer capital of
India. This place holds the earth's only 'urban forest.' Simla, a congregation of seven hills is where
an enormous amount of history and heritage has been distilled. One of the seven hills is called
'Prospect Hill', and is dedicated to Kamana Devi. The highest of seven hills is Jakoo Hill at 2455
meters, towers over Simla and is seen as the crown of the beautiful Simla. There is a small and
beautiful temple on the top of the hill, placing itself as a Ruby in the crown. 1.5 km climb to the
hilltop of Jakoo Hills starts from Ridge, Simla.
Ruby in the Crown Temple
The temple at the top of the hill, which is seen as a ruby in the crown, is dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
On the top of the hill near the temple, one will be greeted by numerous monkeys—vanaras. To get
'prasad' from the visitors, the monkeys will be playing tricks on the visitors. Taking away one of the
sandals, taking away visitor's spectacles, keeping away the handbag, etc., are some of their tricks.
But with no harm done if the 'prasad' is offered to them by visitors then articles are returned.
Legend
Three incidents are quoted for this spot to become a place of worship. Lord Hanuman, was flying through the sky searching for the Sanjivini plant, the herb required to cure Laxman, who lay mortally wounded on the battlefield in Sri Lanka. Thinking that the Sanjivinibooti could be found here on a densely forested hilltop (even now it is densely forested), he stopped over here.
Simla, a congregation of seven hills holds the earth's only 'urban forest.' The highest of seven hills is Jakoo Hill at 2455 meters, where the temple for Sri Hanuman is present.
In a variation to this quote, one of his sandals fell at this spot while he was on his way to the Himalayas in search of the Sanjivini plant.
Another variation declares why, flying through the sky and searching for the Sanjivini plant, he saw Yaaku Sage on Jakhoo Mountain in penance. This place gets its name Jakhoo/Jakhu after this sage. In order to get more details from the sage, about the Sanjivini plant, Lord Hanuman landed here. A portion of the hill sank into the earth, with the force of the Lord's landing in Jakhoo Mountain, which earlier was much taller.
Hanuman Temple of Jakhoo Hill
This place of worship has existed from time immemorial, the earliest known being when the British
identified Annandale in the early nineteenth century for development as a summer town.
Initially in the year 1837, a permanent, structured temple was constructed in this place of worship. The present temple building was built in the year 1920, to bring the temple in tune with the architecture prevailing in Himachal Pradesh.
Recently, in the presence of Himachal Pradesh Honourable Chief Minister, Sri Prem Kumar Dhumal, Sri. Nikhil Nanda, Ms. Shweta Nanda, and Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan the world's tallest Lord Hanuman statue was installed at Jakhoo temple, on November 4, 2010. The Hanuman statue weighing 1500 tonnes, was constructed by Naresh Kumar Verma of Pilani, Rajasthan. And it took almost 2 years to complete the project and the idol can be seen from any part of the city.
This Hanuman temple is situated far away from the madding crowd, in a beautiful surrounding and peaceful atmosphere. The breeze passing through will make one forget their worldly worries, thanking Lord Vayu, father of Lord Hanuman. One can meditate for hours here, bringing peace to one's mind.
Location of the temple: "Jakhoo Hill Hanuman Temple, Simla"
Experience
All the visitor to this summer place Simla comes to see this temple. Visiting this temple with devotion and love, one is sure to gain lot of peace of mind. Sunrises and sunsets witnessed from this vantage spot are spectacular enough to become a lifelong memory, especially during the monsoons.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
author is a police officer in Chandigarh
Ed [07.06.2001]
additional information and revised Ed [13.01.2002],[September 2012],[Dec 2024]