Hanuman Garhi is a 10th century temple of the King of Ayodhya, Lord Hanuman, in Uttar Pradesh, India. Located in Ayodhya, it is one of the most important temples in the city along with other temples such as Nageshwar Nath and the in-construction Ram Temple. Hanuman is considered at par with Ram as the reigning deity in Ayodhya, though some consider Hanuman even more important. Pilgrims may pass over a chance to pray before Ram-Sita in Ayodhya, but not Hanuman. This is because when Ram left Earth, he left Hanuman to look after the city. Hanuman is the "King of Ayodhya". 76 steps lead to the main Hanuman temple which is one of the most popular temples of Lord Hanuman in North India. It is a custom that before visiting lord Ram temple one should first pay visit to Lord Hanuman temple. The temple houses Hanuman's mother, Anjani, with a young Hanuman sitting on her lap. When Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after conquering Ravana, Hanumanji started living here. That is why it was named Hanumangarh or Hanuman Kot. From here, Hanumanji used to protect Ramkot. In the main temple, Pawansut sits in the lap of Mata Anjani. To reach Hanumangarhi in the middle of Ayodhya, one has to climb 76 stairs. This is also the tallest building in Ayodhya which is visible from all four sides. This huge temple and its residential complex is spread over 52 bighas. Many temples of the country including Vrindavan, Nashik, Ujjain, Jagannathpuri have assets, akharas and meetings of this temple. Even today, old traditions are maintained in Hanumangarhi, a few years ago, a large number of Muslims arrived at the Rosa Iftar program at the residence of Mahant Gyandas of Hanumangarhi and news of it came in the headlines. Such an event was organized for the first time in the history of Ayodhya. After this, a large number of sadhus and mahants attended the Eid Milan ceremony at the house ofSadiq Ali, the prominent Muslim leader of Ayodhya. Hanuman Garhi temple is located near Ram Janmabhoomi. In 1855, the Nawab of Awadh saved the temple from destruction by Muslims. The Muslims thought Hanumangarhi had been built over a mosque. Historian Sarvepalli Gopal has said that the 1855 dispute was not for the Babri Masjid - Ram Temple site but for the Hanuman Garhi temple.
