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Ask any family in the queue at Ram Janmabhoomi where they went first, and most will point to a hill a short walk away. Hanuman Garhi is where the yatra traditionally begins — and once you have climbed its steps, it is easy to see why.
The legend on the hill
According to tradition, after Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya, Hanuman stayed on to guard the city — and this hillock is said to be where he kept watch. The fortress-like temple that stands here today took its form in the 18th century, and its walls still feel more like a citadel than a shrine.
“You ask Hanuman ji’s permission first. Only then do you go to meet Shri Ram.”
Climbing the 76 steps
The climb is short but steep, and on festival mornings it can be crowded. Inside, the main shrine holds an image of Hanuman as a child, seated in his mother Anjani’s lap — a rare and tender form that many devotees travel specifically to see.
Why it comes first
Pilgrims believe that seeking Hanuman’s blessing before visiting Ram Janmabhoomi completes the yatra. Practically, it also works: an early visit here means you reach the Ram Mandir queues while they are still calm.
Planning with elders
If you are travelling with parents or grandparents, tell us before the yatra. We plan a slower morning, arrange a wheelchair at the base where available, and build in rest before the next temple — so the darshan is remembered for its peace, not its rush.