CM Sukhu Offers Dussehra Prayers at Jakhu Temple
Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the Jakhu Temple in Shimla with his wife on Dussehra 2026, offering prayers to Lord Hanuman and wishing peace and prosperity for the 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 ( dharmapatni ) for the temple visit.
The CM prayed for happiness, prosperity, peace, and welfare of all people of Himachal Pradesh.
Jakhu Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and sits atop Jakhu Hill , the highest point in Shimla.
The visit follows a well-established tradition of Indian chief ministers marking major festivals through public religious observances.
On the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu climbed to the sacred Jakhu Temple in Shimla alongside his wife on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, seeking blessings of Lord Hanuman for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of the people of the state.
In his post on X, the Chief Minister wrote: 'Dashhara ke pavan avasar par aaj Shri Jakhu Mandir mein dharmapatni ke saath Pavanputra Hanuman ji ke darshan kar samast janmanas ke liye sukh, samridhi, shanti evam kalyan ki kamna ki.' ('On the holy occasion of Dussehra, I visited the revered Jakhu Temple with my wife to seek the blessings of Pavanputra Hanuman ji, and prayed for happiness, prosperity, peace, and welfare of all people.')
Jakhu Temple — Shimla's Hilltop Shrine
Perched atop Jakhu Hill, the highest peak within Shimla at roughly 2,455 metres above sea level, the Jakhu Temple is one of Himachal Pradesh's most visited religious sites. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, it draws devotees year-round and sees a particular surge on festivals like Dussehra, when the victory of good over evil is commemorated across the country.
Festival Visits and the CM's Public Role
Chief ministers across Indian states routinely mark major Hindu festivals through temple visits and public prayers — a practice that doubles as both personal devotion and a signal of cultural solidarity with constituents. For Sukhu, whose government has navigated a demanding political tenure in Himachal Pradesh, the Dussehra visit reinforces a visible connection with the state's predominantly Hindu population.
The Chief Minister signed off with the salutations 'Jai Siya Ram' and 'Jai Bajrangbali' — invocations of both Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman that carry particular resonance on Vijayadashami, the day traditionally marking Ram's victory over Ravana.
As temple bells ring across Himachal Pradesh this Dussehra, the message from the top of Jakhu Hill is unmistakable: good over evil, and a prayer for every household in the hills.
Point of View
Which has faced political pressures since coming to power, visible participation in Hindu festival observances serves as a soft but consistent outreach to voters in a deeply religious hill state. The invocation of both 'Jai Siya Ram' and 'Jai Bajrangbali' signals alignment with widely shared devotional idioms. Whether this translates into political goodwill depends, as always, on the government's performance on the ground.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did CM Sukhu visit on Dussehra 2026?
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the Jakhu Temple atop Jakhu Hill in Shimla , Himachal Pradesh, on Dussehra 2026, accompanied by his wife.
What is Jakhu Temple in Shimla?
Jakhu Temple is a prominent Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman , located on Jakhu Hill — the highest peak within Shimla at approximately 2,455 metres — and is one of Himachal Pradesh's most visited religious sites.
What did CM Sukhu pray for at Jakhu Temple?
The Chief Minister prayed for happiness, prosperity, peace, and welfare for all the people of Himachal Pradesh on the occasion of Dussehra.
What is Dussehra and why is it significant?
Dussehra , also known as Vijayadashami , is a major Hindu festival marking the victory of good over evil — traditionally commemorating Lord Ram's victory over Ravana. It is observed with temple visits, prayers, and celebrations across India.
Who is Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu?
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and a leader of the Indian National Congress .
