Mahabali Temple, also known as Shree Hanuman Thakur Mandir, is located in Wangkhei, Imphal, the capital of Manipur. The temple stands on the peaceful banks of the Imphal River and is surrounded by a thick green forest called the Mahabali forest. Shree Hanuman Thakur Mandir is closely tied to the introduction of Vaishnavism and Hanuman worship in Manipur during the 18th century.
The temple is built in a unique Bengal hut-style architecture, which is rare in Manipur. The main shrine has a dome-shaped roof that covers the sanctum where Lord Hanuman is worshipped. There is a small porch or mandap in front of the main shrine. On top of the temple, there is a double lotus motif and sacred pots called kalashas. At the very top sits a Nilchakra (blue disc). The idol of Lord Hanuman is carved from a single stone and shows him in a human-like dancing form, wearing a dhoti and holding a mace (gada). He also wears three Rudraksha malas and has a sacred mark (tilak) on his forehead. This form of Hanuman is very unique and not commonly seen in other temples.
The temple was built in 1725 AD by King Garib Niwaj (also called Maharaja Pamheiba), a powerful ruler of Manipur. During his rule, he converted to Vaishnavism, a form of Hinduism that worships Lord Vishnu and his avatars like Rama and Krishna. With help from saints of the Ramanandi sect from North India, he started building temples and promoting Vaishnavism in Manipur. The Mahabali Temple was one of the first temples built during this period. It is the only temple from that era still standing today, making it a very important historical and religious place.
Long ago, the Mahabali area in Imphal was a dense forest on the banks of the Imphal River. The place was revered by locals as sacred due to its calm, secluded nature and its proximity to water—a symbolic combination in Hindu tradition. It is believed that this land was protected by a divine guardian force, and over time, it came to be associated with Lord Hanuman, the supreme devotee and guardian figure.
The turning point in this land’s spiritual history came during the reign of King Garib Niwaj (Maharaja Pamheiba) in the early 18th century. After being influenced by Ramanandi Vaishnavite saints from the plains of North India, the king converted to Hinduism and took steps to institutionalize Vaishnavism in Manipur. As part of this religious transformation, the king ordered the construction of temples dedicated to Vishnu and his associates, including Lord Hanuman.
It is believed that the king had a divine vision in which Lord Hanuman appeared to him in a dancing human form, symbolizing joy, strength, and the removal of obstacles in the king’s mission. Acting on this vision, the king had a stone idol carved from a single block, depicting Hanuman in this special form, and enshrined it at the very spot in the Mahabali forest.
Since then, the place became known as Mahabali, meaning “the Great Powerful One,” a name often used for Hanuman. The temple thus stands as both a divine fulfillment of a royal vision and a spiritual gateway through which Hanuman’s energy is believed to bless the land and its people.
The most important festival celebrated at the Mahabali Temple is Hanuman Jayanti, which marks the birth of Lord Hanuman. Devotees from all over Manipur come to the temple on this day to offer prayers, chant Hanuman Chalisa, and participate in rituals. The temple also becomes very lively on Tuesdays and Saturdays, which are considered special days for Hanuman. These days, people offer coconuts, bananas, and sweets to the deity. Feeding the monkeys is also a common ritual, as they are believed to carry the blessings of Hanuman.
