About this temple
Purana Hanuman Mandir is Aliganj’s older Hanuman shrine and a distinct place of worship from Naya Hanuman Mandir. Its identity is closely linked to the sacred geography of Hanuman Badi and the Nawabi-era traditions behind Lucknow’s Bada Mangal.
History
Accounts associate the shrine’s patronage and renewal with Begum Alia, also called Chhattar Kunwar or Chhattar Kanwal in retellings. The traditions around an older site, later rebuilding and the separate Naya temple are often conflated. A precise, consistently evidenced original construction year was not established in the consulted sources.
Legends & Religious Traditions
One Aliganj tradition says Sita, accompanied by Lakshmana and Hanuman on the journey towards Bithoor, halted near this area. Sita preferred the grove to royal accommodation, and Hanuman watched over her through the night. A later Nawabi narrative describes a dream revealing a buried Hanuman image. After excavation, an elephant carrying it refused to continue; this was understood as Hanuman choosing his place. These local sacred accounts should not be treated as a dated episode demonstrated by surviving records.
Festivals and Religious Significance
Jyeshtha’s Tuesdays, known as Bada Mangal, bring worship, charitable food distribution and participation across communities. The two Aliganj shrines share this wider festival landscape but should remain separate records and visitor destinations.
How to Reach
Use local Lucknow transport to Purana Hanuman Mandir, Aliganj, specifying “Purana” to the driver. Festival traffic restrictions may require walking the final approach.
Nearby Religious Places
Naya Hanuman Mandir is a separate Aliganj stop. Hanuman Setu and Hanumant Dham lie elsewhere in the city.
Suggested Visit Duration
Allow 45–60 minutes outside Bada Mangal, with additional time for queues and bhandara. This is a planning estimate.
Contradictory Accounts and Variations
The Begum’s name, the Nawab associated with her, the original site and the allocation of foundation stories between Purana and Naya vary. Another Bada Mangal narrative concerns a priest’s dream during a plague; a different version credits a Begum’s recovery and charitable celebration. These are competing origin traditions, not evidence that temple worship cures disease. The often-reported 1783 Jatmal inscription belongs to the Naya temple and is not used here as the Purana shrine’s founding date.