HP CM Sukhu offers Dussehra prayers at Jakhu Temple, Shimla
Synopsis
On Dussehra 2026, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited Jakhu Temple in Shimla with his wife, praying for the happiness, prosperity, peace and well-being of all people of the state.
Key Takeaways
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited Jakhu Temple, Shimla on Dussehra, 20 October 2026 .
He was accompanied by his wife during the visit to the historic Hanuman shrine.
The CM prayed for happiness, prosperity, peace and well-being of all people of Himachal Pradesh.
Jakhu Temple sits atop Jakhu Hill , the highest point in Shimla at approximately 2,455 metres .
Public temple visits on major festivals are a consistent tradition among Himachal Pradesh's political leadership across party lines.
On the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu climbed Jakhu Hill in Shimla with his wife to seek the blessings of Pawan Putra Hanuman Ji at the historic Jakhu Temple, praying for happiness, prosperity, peace, and well-being of all people.
Posting on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, the Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh shared the visit on X, quoting Chief Minister Sukhu: 'Dashhara ke pawan avsar par aaj Shri Jakhu Mandir mein dharmapatni ke saath Pawan Putra Hanuman Ji ke darshan kar samast janmanas ke liye sukh, samridhi, shanti evam kalyan ki kamna ki. Jai Siya Ram. Jai Bajrangbali.' — 'On this auspicious occasion of Dussehra, I visited Shri Jakhu Temple with my wife, sought the blessings of Pawan Putra Hanuman Ji, and prayed for happiness, prosperity, peace and well-being of all people. Jai Siya Ram. Jai Bajrangbali.'
Jakhu Temple at the heart of Shimla's Dussehra
Jakhu Temple, perched atop Jakhu Hill — the highest point in Shimla at roughly 2,455 metres — is one of the most revered Hanuman shrines in the hill states. The temple complex is dominated by a towering statue of Hanuman and draws pilgrims and tourists year-round. On Dussehra, it becomes a focal point for the city's religious observances, drawing large numbers of devotees marking the festival's spirit of the triumph of good over evil.
A ritual woven into Himachal's political tradition
Public temple visits on major Hindu festivals are a long-standing practice among Himachal Pradesh's political leadership, cutting across party lines. CM Sukhu, who has headed the Congress government in the state since December 2022, follows a tradition visible across India's hill states, where political figures participate visibly in local religious and cultural life. Dussehra carries particular resonance in Himachal — the Kullu Dussehra celebrated in the Kullu Valley is one of the most spectacular in the country and draws international visitors.
For Shimla residents and Hindu devotees across the state, the Chief Minister's Jakhu visit on this day carries both a ceremonial and a symbolic message — one of solidarity with the state's cultural fabric.
Point of View
Where religious sentiment and temple culture are deeply woven into daily life, such gestures carry soft but real political weight. For a Congress government operating in a state with strong religious traditions, visible participation in Hindu festivals helps the leadership maintain an image of cultural continuity. The visit also keeps Jakhu Temple and Shimla as a pilgrimage destination in the public conversation, aligning with any longer-term push to develop religious tourism infrastructure in the state.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Jakhu Temple located?
Jakhu Temple is located on Jakhu Hill in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of approximately 2,455 metres above sea level. It is one of the most prominent Hanuman temples in the region.
Who is Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu?
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, heading the Congress government in the state since December 2022.
What is the significance of Dussehra?
Dussehra is an annual Hindu festival celebrating the victory of good over evil. It is observed with temple visits, processions and rituals, typically in September or October.
What did CM Sukhu pray for at Jakhu Temple?
CM Sukhu prayed for the happiness, prosperity, peace and well-being of all the people of Himachal Pradesh during his Dussehra visit to Jakhu Temple.
Is Dussehra celebrated specially in Himachal Pradesh?
Yes, Himachal Pradesh has a particularly vibrant Dussehra tradition. The Kullu Dussehra in the Kullu Valley is one of the most celebrated in India and draws visitors from across the country and abroad.
