Visible from both the Jhandewalan and Karol Bagh Metro stations, a colossal 108-foot statue of Lord Hanuman dominates the skyline above Jhandewalan Mandir in central Delhi — one of the most recognizable religious landmarks in the capital. Most visitors who pass it on the Metro assume it is simply an oversized devotional statue. What they do not see from the train is what happens here every single evening during Aarti.
As the evening ritual reaches its central moment, the giant statue’s folded arms move back. The chest mechanically slides open. And inside, illuminated for the assembled crowd, are the images of Lord Shri Rama and Devi Sita — Hanuman’s chest revealing, quite literally, the deities he is said to carry permanently within his heart, exactly as the Hanuman Chalisa and centuries of devotional tradition describe.
This single moment — anticipated by regular devotees and genuinely startling for first-time visitors — has made the evening Aarti at Jhandewalan one of Delhi’s most distinctive devotional spectacles, independent of the temple’s deeper significance as one of the city’s oldest and most revered Shakti shrines.
This guide combines complete darshan timings, the temple’s online QR e-pass booking system, the Aarti schedule, and the founding legend into one comprehensive resource for your 2026 visit.
💡 Quick Answer Morning darshan: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM Afternoon closure: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Evening darshan: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM Evening cleaning break: 6:15 PM – 7:00 PM (brief closure within the evening session) Online e-pass booking: Available via QR-code-based system — “Book QR Darshan” option on the temple’s online portal Entry: General darshan free; specific sevas/offerings have fixed charges Nearest Metro: Jhandewalan Metro Station (Blue Line) Last Verified: June 2026
Jhandewalan Mandir Darshan Timings 2026
| Session | Timings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temple opens | 5:00 AM | Morning Shringar Aarti |
| Morning darshan | 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Quiet, light crowd in early hours |
| Afternoon closure | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Temple closed daily |
| Evening darshan | 4:00 PM – 6:15 PM | |
| Cleaning break | 6:15 PM – 7:00 PM | Brief closure within the evening session |
| Evening darshan resumes | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Evening Aarti — Hanuman statue’s chest-opening ritual |
| Temple closes | 10:00 PM |
Navratri extended schedule: During Navratri, the Aarti schedule shifts, with the Morning Shringar Aarti sometimes beginning as early as 4:00 AM, and overall temple hours extending to accommodate the festival’s significantly higher footfall.
Pro tip: Plan your visit specifically around either the early morning window (5:00–7:00 AM, before crowds build) or the evening Aarti window (7:00–8:00 PM, after the cleaning break) — these two windows consistently offer the calmest general darshan and, for the evening option, the chance to witness the Hanuman statue’s signature chest-opening Aarti moment. Avoid the 12:00 PM–4:00 PM closure entirely; one visitor account specifically notes the discomfort of arriving during this window and waiting outside in Delhi’s heat.
How to Book Jhandewalan Mandir Online Darshan E-Pass (QR Booking)
To manage daily crowd volume, particularly given the temple’s prominent location and high Metro-accessible footfall, Jhandewalan Mandir has instituted an online QR-code-based e-pass system for darshan booking.
Step 1: Visit the temple’s official online portal (check current booking link via the temple trust’s official channels, as portal addresses are periodically updated).
Step 2: Look for the “Book QR Darshan” or “ई-पास” (e-pass) option on the booking page.
Step 3: Enter your details — name, mobile number, and your preferred date and time slot.
Step 4: Submit the booking form.
Step 5: You will receive a QR code via SMS or email confirming your slot.
Step 6: Show this QR code at the temple entrance on your visit date for streamlined, faster entry compared to the general walk-in queue.
Pro tip: During Navratri and major festival periods specifically, booking your e-pass slot in advance is strongly recommended — the combination of extended hours and significantly higher devotee volume during this period makes a pre-booked QR slot meaningfully more valuable than on a typical weekday.
What Is Jhandewalan Mandir — History, Deity, and the Name
The Discovery Legend — Bhagat Badri Das and the Aravalli Ridge
Jhandewalan Mandir traces its origin to the 18th century, when a cloth/textile merchant named Bhagat Badri Das (also referenced as Badri Bhagat in some accounts) discovered the idol of the Goddess in the rocky Aravalli Ridge terrain near the temple’s present location. According to one version of this founding story, Badri Bhagat — a devoted follower of Goddess Durga — had a dream in which the Goddess herself revealed information about the statue that would eventually be installed and worshipped at the site.
Why “Jhandewalan” — The Flags That Named a Neighbourhood
The temple, and the surrounding rocky area of Delhi, came to be called Jhandewala/Jhandewalan during the 18th century specifically because of the large number of prayer flags (jhanda) displayed at the site — devotional flags offered by devotees as a symbol of devotion and surrender to Maa Durga, a practice that continues at the temple today and gives both the temple and the surrounding neighbourhood their enduring name.
The Deity — Aadi Shakti, Worshipped Across Traditions
The temple is dedicated to Maa Aadi Shakti (Goddess Jhandewali) — the supreme, primordial form of divine feminine energy in Hindu tradition. Various sources additionally connect the temple’s devotional identity to Goddess Vaishno Devi, reflecting how this Delhi shrine functions, for many devotees, as an accessible city-based extension of devotion otherwise associated with the famous Jammu pilgrimage. The Goddess here is associated with strength, protection, courage, and the fulfillment of sincere wishes — drawing devotees specifically seeking relief from difficulties and blessings for prosperity and well-being.
Open to all: The temple is specifically noted as visited by people of different castes, religions, age groups, and backgrounds with equal faith — a detail consistently emphasized in temple descriptions as reflecting the broad, inclusive devotional character of the site.
The 108-Foot Hanuman Statue and Its Mechanical Aarti
While the temple’s primary deity is the Goddess, the site’s most visually dominant feature — and arguably its most famous single attraction — is the colossal 108-foot statue of Lord Hanuman, visible from both the Jhandewalan and Karol Bagh Metro stations.
The dramatic entrance: The temple’s entrance itself is carved in the shape of an open mouth — specifically designed to resemble a rakshasa (demon) caught in the throes of death, with visitors passing through this open-mouth passageway to reach the main shrine hall.
The evening Aarti spectacle: During the evening Aarti specifically, mechanical engineering built into the giant Hanuman statue causes the folded arms across its chest to move back and the chest itself to slide open, revealing illuminated images of Lord Shri Rama and Devi Sita within. This dazzling, theatrically staged moment draws large crowds specifically for the evening Aarti, with Tuesdays — Hanuman’s traditionally auspicious day — seeing particularly heavy attendance for this specific spectacle, despite the temple remaining open and accessible every day of the week.
Seva and Offering Options
The temple offers a variety of sevas (ritual offerings) for devotees wishing to participate beyond standard darshan — for blessings related to health, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment. Specific seva charges are subject to periodic revision; confirm current rates directly at the seva counter on-site or via the temple’s online portal before your visit, as higher-tier sevas and festival-specific offerings can fill up quickly during peak periods.
Custom devotional events: Some sources also note the option of organizing customized devotional gatherings — featuring devotional singing dedicated to Goddess Durga, professional singers, musical accompaniment, and decorated darbar setups — for devotees wishing to mark significant personal occasions with a more elaborate spiritual event ahead of important life milestones. Arrangement details, venue selection within the temple precinct, and required puja samagri (ritual materials) would need to be coordinated directly with temple authorities for such customized events.
The Trap — What Catches Most Visitors
“Arrived at 1:00 PM expecting darshan” → Cause: The temple has a firm 12:00 PM–4:00 PM daily closure → Fix: Plan your visit for the 5:00 AM–12:00 PM morning window or after 4:00 PM in the evening. Do not arrive during the midday closure, especially in Delhi’s summer heat.
“Went specifically for the chest-opening Hanuman Aarti but arrived during the cleaning break” → Cause: A brief 6:15 PM–7:00 PM cleaning closure falls within the broader evening darshan window → Fix: Plan to be present after 7:00 PM specifically for the evening Aarti spectacle, rather than arriving in the 6:15–7:00 PM gap and finding the temple temporarily closed.
“Skipped online booking, faced a long walk-in queue during Navratri” → Cause: Underestimating Navratri crowd volume at this centrally located, Metro-accessible temple → Fix: Use the “Book QR Darshan” / e-pass system in advance specifically for Navratri and other major festival dates — this provides meaningfully faster entry than the general walk-in line during peak periods.
“Assumed all sevas were free since general darshan is free” → Cause: Confusing general entry (free) with specific ritual offerings (paid) → Fix: General darshan is free, but sevas and special offerings carry fixed charges — confirm current rates at the seva counter or via the online portal before committing to a specific seva.
How to Reach Jhandewalan Mandir
Address: 10196, Jhandewala Estate, Deshbandhu Gupta Marg, New Delhi — 110055.
By Metro (recommended): Jhandewalan Metro Station (Blue Line) is the nearest and most convenient station, with the 108-foot Hanuman statue visible directly from the platform area — making this one of the easiest major Delhi temples to locate and reach without prior local knowledge.
By road: Located near Karol Bagh, easily accessible via DTC buses, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and app-based cabs from across Delhi.
By air: Indira Gandhi International Airport — approximately 23 km, reachable by taxi, app-based cab, or Delhi Metro.
Before You Visit Jhandewalan Mandir — Checklist
☑ Timings confirmed — 5:00 AM–12:00 PM and 4:00 PM–10:00 PM, with a 12–4 PM daily closure and a brief 6:15–7:00 PM cleaning break within the evening session ☑ QR e-pass/online darshan booking completed via the “Book QR Darshan” option, especially for Navratri or other festival dates ☑ Evening Aarti timing planned for after 7:00 PM specifically to witness the Hanuman statue’s chest-opening ritual ☑ Tuesday visit? — expect significantly heavier crowds for the evening spectacle ☑ Seva charges confirmed directly at the counter or online portal before booking any specific ritual offering ☑ Minimal belongings carried — large bags discouraged inside the temple ☑ Metro (Jhandewalan Station, Blue Line) used as the primary, most convenient access route
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Jhandewalan Mandir darshan timings in 2026?
The temple is open 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM (morning) and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM (evening), with a daily closure from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. A brief cleaning break also occurs from 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM within the evening session. During Navratri, the Morning Shringar Aarti may begin as early as 4:00 AM, with extended overall hours.
How do I book an online e-pass for Jhandewalan Mandir darshan?
Use the “Book QR Darshan” or “ई-पास” option on the temple’s official online booking portal. Enter your name, mobile number, and preferred date/time slot, then submit. You will receive a QR code via SMS or email to show at the temple entrance for faster, streamlined entry.
What happens during the evening Aarti at Jhandewalan Mandir?
The temple’s famous 108-foot Hanuman statue has a mechanical feature activated specifically during the evening Aarti: the folded arms move back and the chest slides open, revealing illuminated images of Lord Shri Rama and Devi Sita within. This dramatic moment draws particularly large crowds, especially on Tuesdays.
Who is worshipped at Jhandewalan Mandir?
The temple’s primary deity is Maa Aadi Shakti (Goddess Jhandewali), the supreme primordial form of divine feminine energy, with some sources also associating the temple’s devotional identity with Goddess Vaishno Devi. The site additionally features the iconic 108-foot Hanuman statue, making it significant for both Shakti and Hanuman devotees.
How did Jhandewalan Mandir get its name?
The name derives from the large number of prayer flags (“jhanda”) historically and currently offered by devotees at the site as a symbol of devotion to Goddess Durga — this gave both the temple and the surrounding 18th-century rocky Aravalli Ridge neighbourhood the name Jhandewala/Jhandewalan.
Is entry to Jhandewalan Mandir free?
Yes, general darshan is completely free. Specific sevas and ritual offerings carry fixed charges, which devotees should confirm directly at the seva counter or via the online portal before booking.
Which Metro station is nearest to Jhandewalan Mandir?
Jhandewalan Metro Station, on the Blue Line, is the nearest and most convenient station — the temple’s 108-foot Hanuman statue is visible directly from the station platform area, making it one of Delhi’s easiest major temples to locate.
Contact and Help
Address: 10196, Jhandewala Estate, Deshbandhu Gupta Marg, New Delhi — 110055 Nearest Metro: Jhandewalan Metro Station (Blue Line) Nearest airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport — approximately 23 km
Official Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Online e-pass / QR Darshan booking | Available via the temple’s official online portal — check current link through official temple channels |
One Last Thing
A statue is, ordinarily, a fixed thing — stone or metal frozen in a single posture, meant to represent a single moment forever. The Hanuman statue at Jhandewalan refuses that stillness once a day, every evening, opening exactly as the tradition describes him: carrying Rama and Sita not as a metaphor but as a mechanism, visible and momentary and then closed again until the next evening’s Aarti.
Thousands of commuters pass this statue on the Metro every day without ever seeing what happens inside it after dark. The devotees who specifically arrive for the 7:00 PM Aarti know exactly what they are waiting for, and the moment still draws an audible reaction from the crowd each time the chest slides open — proof that knowing what is coming does not make the sight any less startling when it actually happens.
Jai Maa Jhandewali. Jai Bajrang Bali.