The Jakhoo Temple sits on the summit of Jakhoo Hill, at around 2,450 metres the highest point in Shimla. It is dedicated to Hanuman: according to local tradition, he rested here while searching the Himalaya for the sanjeevani herb to heal Lakshman, and the footprint preserved at the temple is said to be his.
Since 2010 the hilltop has been crowned by a giant orange statue of Hanuman, 108 feet (about 33 metres) tall, which rises above the deodars and can be seen from much of the town. The temple is also famous for its resident troop of monkeys — handsome, bold and very interested in anything you are carrying.
Top things to do at Jakhoo Temple
Walk up through the deodars
The path from the Ridge near Christ Church is only about 2 km, but it is steep — allow 40 minutes to an hour at a steady pace. A guided Jakhoo hike adds the legends and the shortcuts.
Or ride the ropeway
The Jakhoo ropeway runs from a station close to the Ridge to near the summit in a few minutes, a good option for older travellers or if you want to save your legs. Check the fare and operating hours locally; it may stop in bad weather.
See the view and the statue
From the top there are views over Shimla to the mountains beyond. Stand at the foot of the Hanuman statue for a sense of its scale — at dusk, lit up, it is visible from across the valley.
How to get to Jakhoo Temple
- On foot: start from the Ridge by Christ Church and follow the signed path uphill (about 2 km).
- By ropeway: from the lower station near the Ridge.
- By taxi: taxis can drive most of the way round to a parking area below the temple, followed by a short walk.
Insider tips
- Monkeys: remove glasses and sunglasses, hats and dangling earrings, keep phones in a zipped pocket and do not carry food openly. Sticks are rented out at the start of the path to deter them — don’t wave them around, just carry one.
- If a monkey does take something, don’t chase it. Temple staff and shopkeepers can sometimes negotiate its return — usually for a snack.
- Remove your shoes before the temple. There are stands at the entrance.
- Go in the morning for clearer views and fewer crowds. Tuesdays and Saturdays, Hanuman’s days, are busier.
Best tours & tickets for Jakhoo Temple
These experiences are the easiest way to see Jakhoo Temple with a guide and transport sorted:
Private guided hike from US$14 Shimla: Hiking Tour to Jakhu Hill with Local Guide
Walk up through the deodars from the Ridge to the summit of Jakhoo, with a guide who knows the shortcuts, the stories of Hanuman’s visit and how to keep your sunglasses away from the resident monkeys. Excellent reviews and a low price.
- The steep climb to Shimla’s highest point, around 2,450 m
- The Jakhoo Hanuman temple and the giant statue
- Local legends — and monkey management — from your guide
Guided day tour from US$73 Shimla: Toy Train Ride and City Tour with Guide
The classic Shimla day in one package: a stretch of the toy train through pine forest and tunnels, then the Viceregal Lodge, the climb to Jakhoo and the Ridge with Christ Church, finishing on the Mall. Your guide handles tickets and transfers, and reviews are consistently strong.
- A ride on the UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla narrow-gauge railway
- The Viceregal Lodge, Jakhoo Temple and Christ Church
- A stroll along the Mall Road with your guide
Private day tour from US$62 Shimla: Experience the Best of Shimla with a Local Guide
A flexible private day that goes deeper than the headline sights — the lanes below the Mall, stories of the Raj and of the hill people who were here long before it, and a taste of local food. Every review so far is five stars.
- A private full day with a Shimla-born guide and car
- The Ridge, Mall Road, Christ Church and the old bazaars
- Local folklore, colonial stories and Himachali snacks along the way
