No visit to the state capital Shimla is complete without visiting Jakhu Hill. This hill looms over Shimla town and is the geographical nucleus. This temple is dedicated to the monkey God Hanuman. Dedicated to the monkey god, Hanuman, Jakhu Temple is east of the town centre near the highest point of the Shimla ridge at 2455 m. A steep 45 minute walk from Scandal Point, it offers fine views over the surrounding valleys out to the snow-capped peaks, and over Shimla itself. Jakhu is also a beautiful spot to see the morning sun rise and sun set. Appropriately, there are many monkeys around the temple. Its a steep 45 minute walk from Scandal Point.

Legend
No temple in India goes without a legend, Jhaku has a story too. It is said that Hanuman, the faithful ally of Lord Rama of the Ramayana an epic, was the monkey God with whose help Lord Rama was able to defeat the arch-demon Ravana, the king of Lanka. The faithful nature of Hanuman is often illustrated by his representations being found guarding forts and palace entrances. The British never placed hanuman on top of Jakhu hill to guard the township. The temple site predates the British Raj.
An episode in the Ramayana had Lakshman, Rama's brother mortally wounded in a battle with Ravana's forces. Hanuman was sent to fetch the mythical medicinal 'Sanjivini' herb from the Himalayas in order to cure the wounded. The legend about the temple is that Hanuman rested at Jakhu Hill after collecting the herb. After resting, he journeyed back to the battlefield of Lanka.

There are many monkeys around the temple, but surprisingly they don't attack people unless fiddled with. Pilgrims offer them eatables, which they readily accept.

The approach to the temple is through a dense forest of Deodars, though many find the climb tiresome. Ponies are available for a to and fro ride to the temple. The path towards the temple starts just left of Christ Church. After the hard hack up, the temple itself, a red and yellow brick affair crammed with fairy lights and tinsel comes as something of an anti climax. The shrine inside houses what are believed to be the footprints of Hanuman.

But the monkeys can be a real nuisance, so do be careful and keep food out of sight and reach. For those who need a helping hand with the climb, walking sticks are available at teashops at the base (for Rs 5).