A Brief History of Hanuman Dhara

Hanuman Dhara is a revered Hindu pilgrimage site located in the Chitrakoot district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is renowned for its natural beauty, religious significance, and the presence of a perennial waterfall believed to have been created by Lord Rama to quench the thirst of Lord Hanuman during their exile in the forests of Chitrakoot.

The site is called Hanuman Dhara because of a light stream flowing over the idol of Bhagwan Hanuman. According to legend, when Hanuman set fire to Lanka, he came to this place to extinguish the fire from his tail. The statue of Bajrang Bali is made of red stone marble, and even today, water is seen continuously falling on Hanuman’s left arm.

Hanuman Dhara is situated atop a hill and attracts a large number of devotees who believe that by seeing Bhagwan Hanuman, every wish is fulfilled. The site also includes a small temple of Bhagwan Shri Ram and is surrounded by lush greenery, scenic vistas, and walking trails ideal for nature walks and meditation.

A convenient option was the ropeway, a cable car option to get to the top of this steep mountain which otherwise would require, I guess at least 600 steps.

Right after getting down from the Cable Car, you can visit the Hanuman Dhara temple, where natural water continuously pours over the statue of Lord Hanuman. After that, you can climb few more steps (about 50) to explore Sita Matas Rasoi, a place which is believed to be the kitchen of Devi Sita during her time in exile. It may well be but, the local Priests have skillfully set up a maze of mini temples before reaching the Kitchen area. Basically, keep moving by putting some Dakshina or gift, say 10 rupees. Well that is say minimum and the maximum depends, I guess depends on your desire to donate.

My Encounter with Gray Langurs in Hanuman Dhara.

During my recent trip to Hanuman Dhara in Madhya Pradesh, I had an unforgettable encounter with a troop of Gray Langurs. These primates, known for their distinctive grey fur and long tails, are a common sight in many parts of India, but seeing them in their natural habitat was a unique experience.

As I walked through the serene surroundings of Hanuman Dhara, I noticed groups of langurs moving around in the temple premises. Their playful antics and curious nature immediately caught my attention. One particularly bold langur even approached me, seemingly unafraid of my presence. It was a moment of mutual curiosity and respect, as we observed each other from a safe distance.

The langurs’ behaviour was fascinating to watch. They communicated with each other through a series of vocalizations and gestures, displaying a complex social structure. I was particularly struck by the way they cared for their young, with the older members of the troop keeping a watchful eye on the playful juveniles.

I was walking down the steps from the main temple with my family and suddenly realized someone caught hold of my pyjama. I looked down and was surprised to see a langur holding it. He was basically asking me to buy him and feed him some chickpeas a person was selling. I asked the vendor how much a fistful cost, and he said, 10 rupees. I paid him and started feeding the monkey. This was the closest encounter I ever had with a monkey, which was beyond my imagination. Unlike my opinion, the tiny hand and fingers of the monkey were just like a small kid, and he was carefully taking the chickpeas two or three at a time from my hand and eating. Suddenly, another small langur, for some reason, came and jumped on my thigh and sat on it. This brief experience had a pleasant and increased my appreciation for these creatures. An appreciation for all living beings, who are sharing the planet earth.