Hanuman Setu Mandir, Lucknow

Bhakti Marg has always been guiding humans to the path of righteousness, Hinduism preach this path to help individual discover themself on the journey to attain the Lord. And with the prominent bhakti tradition arises the culture of ritualistic offerings and idol veneration. One can find several temples in India with idols of different deities followed by different sects. Hanuman Setu Mandir in Lucknow is one such sacred establishment.

Shri Hanuman is an eminent god in Hinduism who is considered an immortal worldly incarnation of the supreme Lord Shiv. He is also looked up to as the epitome of vigor, knowledge, devotion, and all-powerful existence one of the eight Cheeranjivis. The Monkey King Lord Hanuman is praised by many and mostly the ones following the path of asceticism as he was said to have been Baal Brahmachari. Let’s look at the Hanuman Setu Temple and why should it be included in the pilgrimage exploration of Bhagwan Shri Hanuman.

History related to Hanuman Setu Temple

The existence of sacred spaces is either innate, and found in nature or established by humans as per their beliefs, penance, or some kind of divine vision or indication they receive. Hanuman Setu Mandir Lucknow is one developed by a Hindu Saint Neem Karoli Baba, which is locally famous as Luckhnow Ashram.
Swami Neem Karoli Baba was a person born in a Hindu Brahmin family, and his name was Lakshman Narayan Sharma. Later he left his home and lived a life of sadhu for many years, there are instances of him being Siddha Purush, a person with unnatural powers and spiritual attainments. He was called with different names in different states. But his first miracle seemed to have taken place in Neem Karoli in U.P hence he was revered as Neem Karoli Baba. He built a small temple on the bank of the river Gomati which was previously the Hanuman Setu Temple. But with the huge flood of the river, everything was destroyed leaving the Hanuman idol behind. Then the Uttar Pradesh Government took the initiative and allotted land for building the Hanuman Setu Temple. This temple or famously known as ashram was inaugurated on January 26, 1967, and is famed as the most visited temple in Lucknow.

This is how the present-day Hanuman Setu Temple came to be, famously known as Lucknow Ashram or Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Lucknow. Checkout more on our YouTube video:

The architecture of the Hanuman Setu Temple

The temple is built largely to accommodate the devotees appearing for Darshan. The Hanuman Setu Mandir is a sacred construction built with white marble inside the Gabhara, the inner side or main abode of the temple. It consists of 2 Neem Karoli Baba Murtis, 2 Hanuman Murtis, and 2 Shiva Linga installed in the main abode. The Hanuman Murti is a one-piece marble statue measuring 6.5 feet that can be seen from all corners of Puja Hall and while passing through the road. The building of the Hanuman Setu Mandir Lucknow is oval shaped having a capacity of 250 people.

The walls of the temple are made of white marble consisting of intricate Hindu architectural touch that is the traditional Indian architectural structure formations. The interior of the Hanuman Setu Temple is engraved with magnificent Ram, Laxman, and Sita illustrations along with Hanuman Ji. The artistic Murals (paintings created directly on walls, ceilings, and structures) also characterize the Vanarsena (army of monkeys) and Bears building the bridge to Lanka.

Significance of Hanuman Setu Mandir Lucknow:

There are numerous Hanuman Mandirs in India, can be outside as well but what is the distinction that makes this Hanuman Setu Temple of Lucknow so special, here are a few reasons.

• This Hanuman Setu Temple itself is an example of sustenance and miracle, this was built by Neem Karoli Baba on the banks of River Gomti but was opposed by the government. During a river flood, everything including the Baba’s ashram was washed away but Hanumanji’s Murti stayed intact. And later the government accepted the spiritual importance of the place and presence of Lord Hanuman and granted a piece of land dedicated to the Hanuman Setu Mandir.

• This temple is also called the Lucknow Sankat Mochan Hanumanji and is the Governor General of all Hanuman Mandir. The reason is that many people visit the Hanuman Setu Temple with questions and pains, some even write letters to the Mandir, and all of them are read by the main priest of the temple in front of Hanumanji there are instances that people find solutions to their problems, hence known as Sankat Mochan.

• The Hanuman Setu Mandir is also called famously as Ashram in Lucknow, as it provides accommodation for a limited amount of visitors every year according to its capacity. This temple is built on the grounds where Neem Karoli Baba had his small Ashram for his stay so it includes quarters and later was used to provide accommodation for visitors.

• Another very appreciable aspect of the Hanuman Setu Temple Lucknow is their dedicated and helping staff that arrange for Bhandara as a form of Baba’s Prasad or the Annasewa arranged by the trust that offers food to more than a thousand people on a daily basis. Along with it, the A Mahasamadhi Bhandhara is held in the Hanuman Setu Temple Lucknow after the Mahasamadhi Bhandara in Kanpur.

• Along with Annaseva, the Hanuman Setu Mandir Trust organizes an Ayurvedic Chikitsalay (an Ayurvedic charitable dispensary) for the poor. And a gathering for Bhakti Sangeet every Sunday where Shreemad Bhagavad Geeta or Shrimat Ram Charitra Manas is recited to the devotees promoting Bhakti Marg and enlightening peoples. The Hanuman Setu Temple Trust also celebrates Varshikutsav (annual day) on 26th January every year and all the offerings from the devotees are gifted to the artist who participate in the event from various parts.

Along with all these significances visiting the Hanuman Setu Mandir Lucknow, one can blessing of Lord Hanuman and enjoy nature and calm your soul. Having a soothing experience of spirituality combined with buffer time with nature would help one rediscover themselves. And Bhakti Marg is all about finding oneself through devotion to God and performing good deeds that are doing Karm that is backed with the Dharm. If one closely analyzes the working of Hanuman Setu Mandir Lucknow one would understand that the trust and other staff are following the Bhakti Marg serving Lord Hanuman, along with its enriching their Karm with unconditional and unexpecting services they provide to the needy and poor that is following Manav Dharma.

So if you wish to experience the spiritual connection and enchanting allure with nature do visit the Hanuman Setu Mandir of Lucknow.