A quick visit to Sankat Mochan Temple in Shimla with Amit Aggarwal || Photo Journey to Sankat Mochan Temple in Himchal Pradesh, India

Sankat Mochan Temple is one of the popular Temples in Shimla Town. It's not exactly in Shimla, but quite near to it. Let's have a quick Photo Journey from Sankat Mochan Temple by Amit Agarwal...

Sankat Mochan Temple is actually located near to Tara-Devi which comes on the way to Kalka from Shimla Town. It's approximately 10 kilometers from Shimla Town. Place is surrounded by green mountains all around. Temple is adjacent to the National Highway - 22. The temple is a place where one can actually meditate and enjoy the calm and peaceful surroundings.The very first photograph above shows a temple on left, which is located just after main entry into the Sankat Mochan Temple. This temple is created in South Indian Style.

Around 1950, a Baba came to this beautiful place and discovered the perfect spot for meditation and soulful introspection. After staying here for 10 days, he desired that a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman should be built here. Baba's faithful devotees included the governor of Himachal Pradesh, who along with Bhagvan Sahai took up the task of building the temple and fulfilling their Guru's wish.

Sankat Mochan temple has many facilities for people and also includes a three-storey building that is used for many purposes. Every Sunday, the huge hall in the building is used for distributing Prasad, also known as Langar. Langar at Sankat Mochan is quite different and very well managed. One portion of the building is used to conduct marriage ceremonies and is rented out to people who want to conduct marriages. The temple charges a very nominal fee for this. Apart from marriages, there are many other sacred rituals and ceremonies that can be conducted over here. Priests and the maintenance staff, who work here day and night, use the rest of the building as a residential complex. The temple also has an Ayurvedic clinic...

Here is a photograph showing interiors of main Sankat Mochan Temple.

There are few small Temples in the campus which are dedicated to different gods.

Sankat Mochan Temple is dedicated mainly to Lord Hanuman, though one finds idols of Lord Rama, Shiva and Ganesha in separate complexes. There is a specially made temple for Baba Neeb Karori Ji Maharaj also. The temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha has been built in the South Indian style of architecture and is worth the visit.

Sankat Mochan Temple is popular temple in Shimla region, which attracts people from all ages and genders who come here to pay obeisance to Lord Hanuman. Sankat Mochan Temple is second most famous temple after Jakhu Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This temple located 5 km away from a beautiful hill station Shimla.

One can have easy transportation to Sankat Mochan Temple from Shimla Bus Stand and other places. From Shimla there are frequent buses till Taradevi and have a stoppage near Sankat Mochan Temple. If you there on Sunday, don't miss the Langar. Langar at Sankat Mochan is quite different and lovable.

Above photograph shows the view of Shimla Town from Sankat Mochan Temple...

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Saturday Evenings and Mall Road in Shimla have a very strong connection. During my sabbatical, I was there in Shimla on Saturday and planned to have a round of Mall Road as well. This Photo Journey shares some moments spent around Mall Road on Saturday Evening and the associated memories.During my graduation from Himachal Pradesh University, we used to stay at Shangati, which is around 6 kilometers from Mall Road, Shimla. And every saturday we used to walk from Shangti or summerhill to Mall Road via Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Chaura Maidaan & Vidhan Sabha.It was part of our default routine to visit Mall Road to take 4-6 rounds of Mall Road & Ridge and have quick-snacks at Chachu's Tea shop on other end of the Mall Road. Friends who had girl-friends, they used to roam around other places like Top Breads, Barista or other fancy places to eat :).Why Saturday is so special. Basically most of the folks of shimla used to come to Mall Road during evening. All School & College Kids, Office working people etc. Don't know why but it has become a strong trend in Shimla to visit Mall Road on Saturday Evening. During the recent visit, we explored some of the new cafes and really loved the Wake & Bake Cafe, which is just in front of Shimla Town-Hall on Mall Road. Above photograph shows one of the art-work on walls of Wake & Bake Cafe.We met a gentleman who shared different stories about Shimla and some interesting observations on Mall Road which can't be shared on this blog. Aneesh encouraged him to have some detailed discussion about army and Indian politics. After all those conversations he also tried to tell Aneesh about his future and related stuff. It seems, this gentleman is found on Mall road every evening.Here is a photograph showingone portion of Gaiety Theatre building which is being used by Himachal police department. It's a beautiful building in front of Town-Hall Shimla.A beautiful night view of Mall Road Shimla - Town-Hall building on right. Most of the shooting on Kareeb movie has happened in this region. Town-Hall which is on right was shown as hospital and there is Fire-Station on left which was shown as laundry where Bobby Deol used to stay. Anyways, many other movies are shot around these beautiful buildings on Mall Road of Shimla. Most of the shops/buildings on Mall Road have old architecture and the ones which are new have been designed to match with overall feel on the town. Most of the old buildings are from British era. The beautiful architecture if the one of the reasons which make this city beautiful.Fruit vendor near Willow Bank building who welcomed us with plates full of fresh fruits - Cherries, Kiwi & Strawberries. Probably he chose best of the lot for us. Every piece was amazingly tasty. He is a big fan of Aneesh's bike stunts and an old friend when Aneesh used to live in Shimla.

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While coming back from Kinnaur, I spent two days in Shimla. While roaming on the Mall Road, we happen to visit a Cafe called 'Wake & Bake' and really loved being there during evening. This Photo Journey shares some of the moments I spent at Wake & Bake, Shimla. So here is the first view you get from the Cafe Windows. Wake & Bake Cafe is on 2nd floor of the building just in front of Shimla Town Hall on Mall Road, Shimla. It has decent place to sit on 2nd floor as well as open air terrace with a great view of the deep valley on other side.Here is the view we get from open air terrace of Wake & Bake Cafe. This view is something that you may get from other restaurants or cafes as well, but the one towards Mall road is special for me. Above view showsn two huge huge buildings - High Court of Himachal Pradesh and Holiday Home Hotel by HPTDC. Colorful view during evening was really amazing. Cafe has some vibrant colors with colorful lighting on Town Hall Building on the front & the blue sky in the background. Here is an amazing art-work on the walls of Wake & Bake Cafe. During daytime, this wall looks normal (but of-course, interesting artwork ) but in evenings all these colors pop-out to give a 3D view. It's really awesome and shiny colors make this art perfect. We also got to know the view of artist who created this wonderful piece of art on walls on Wake & Bake cafe on Mall Road, Shimla. Closer look at the wall. I loved this portion of the wall. This was looking awesome from distance. Because of good number of people at cafe, I couldn't click it from right place. Never mind, will try to get better shot next time :)I am sure that above photograph will give you a perspective about the place. This is clicked from main counter of the Cafe. As we enter into the cafe, this is first view we get. An open window facing Shimla Town Hall building and wonderful artwork on the right wall. I have nothing to share about eatable at Wake & Bake, as I don't remember what I had there. I was so busy in appreciating in beauty around that I didn't bother to focus on eatables or drinks there. But I am sure that it must be great as the place iAneesh keeping an eye on seating place around roof top of the Cafe..Here is the view of Shimla Town Hall on Mall Road.. This is shot from entry of the Wake & Bake Cafe.. There is a series of stairs that lead to the cafe on second floor.A view of street where Wake and Bake Cafe is located. The blue board on one of the building on left is exactly the place and yellow windows behind that belongs to Wake & Bake Cafe. On the right side is Shimla Town Hall on Mall Road in Shimla.Here is another view from windows of Wake & Bake Cafe. This Gaiety Theatre complex and this particular portion is used but Police. I love architecture of these buildings.If you are around Shimla and roaming around mall road, I highly recommend this place to spend some time. And if you happen to visit, please drop your comments with experiences.

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