Akhileshwar Dham Hanuman Mandir is located in Okhla village, near Barwaha town, in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh.
The main deity of this temple is Lord Hanuman, also known here as Akhileshwar Hanuman. What makes this idol unique is that Hanuman is depicted holding a Shivling in his right hand, which is a sporadic form not seen elsewhere. The idol stands around 10 feet tall, exuding power, devotion, and divine energy. It symbolizes Hanuman’s unwavering service to Lord Rama and Lord Shiva.
The temple structure is a mix of traditional North Indian temple architecture and modern design. The idol of Hanuman is placed in an open sanctum (garbhagriha), allowing thousands of devotees to witness darshan even from a distance. The complex also includes smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, and other deities. A large gathering area, yagna shala (fire ritual hall), and community kitchen (Bhandara hall) are also present.
This temple has a deep history and spiritual roots, with legends linking it to the era of the Ramayana. It is said to have existed in some form since the Dvapara Yuga, the era of Lord Krishna. The present form of the temple was revived and developed by devotees in the 20th century. In 1976, a divine calling inspired the temple’s caretakers to begin an Akhanda Ramayan Path – a continuous reading of the Ramayana – which has continued uninterrupted since then.
According to the sacred legend, is linked to a divine episode from the Ramayana era. It is believed that after Lord Rama instructed Hanuman to bring a sacred Shivling from the Narmada River, Hanuman set out on his journey and reached a place called *Sahastradhara, a spiritually vibrant site associated with sage Valmiki’s ashram.
There, he worshipped Lord Shiva and lifted a powerful Shivling to carry to Rameshwaram for consecration. On his way, Hanuman paused to rest at the present-day location of Okhla. However, by the time he resumed his journey, the consecration at Rameshwaram had already been completed with another Shivling. In obedience and humility, Hanuman decided not to place the Shivling he was carrying and instead remained holding it — a gesture symbolic of his eternal devotion and service.
This exact moment is captured in the **idol at Akhileshwar Dham, where Hanuman is uniquely depicted standing tall, holding the Shivling in his hand — an extremely rare and spiritually powerful form. It is also believed that this place was once sanctified by sages like **Valmiki and Vishwamitra*, and that Lord Krishna himself installed a Shiva linga here during the Dvapara Yuga. Because of these deeply divine associations, Akhileshwar Dham is not just a Hanuman temple, but a confluence of Ramayana, Shaiva, and Krishnaite traditions, making it one of the holiest and most unique Hanuman temples in India.
Akhileshwar Dham Hanuman Mandir celebrates festivals with deep devotion and unique traditions. The most special is the Cholavaran festival, held only on Rohini Nakshatra days, with rituals like Rudrabhishek, Sundarkand recitation, 56 Bhog, Maha Aarti, and a large community feast. Hanuman Jayanti is observed with pujas, chanting, and processions, while Ram Navami includes Ramayana recitations and devotional gatherings. The temple is also known for its unbroken Akhanda Ramayan Path, ongoing since 1976, making it a center of daily spiritual activity.
