Hanuman Garhi Sanad received by Abhai Ram Bairagi from Safdar Jung

Hanuman Garhi is 1 km from Ayodhya railway station.The temple is a grand structure that takes 76 steps to approach .It is built atop a small hillock that also happens to be the highest point in Ayodhya. It is claimed that when Lord  Ram returned from the conquest of Lanka, and occupied the fortress in Ayodha, he assigned to his various Generals their different posts, giving to the much trusted Lord Hanuman, the leader of the monkey army, the command of the tower at the main entrance or gate, which was thenceforth called “ Hanuman Garhi.” This command Lord Hanuman is said to have retained until the Ayodhya of those days was conveyed away to heaven.

  In the main temple, Pawansut sits in the lap of Mata Anjani. Today, it is a well-fortified temple, with fourteen cannons adorning its ramparts. At its foot live hundreds of Bairagis, the more important ones live in modern buildings equipped with all conveniences. It is the most favoured temple for the lakhs of devotees who visit Ayodhya every year. For them a trip to Ayodhya has always meant a dip in the Sarayu, followed by a visit to Nageshwarnath and Hanumangarhi. Manywho visit Ayodhya are said to come first at Hanuman Garhi and then proceed anywhere else .

It is affirmed that up to Mansur Ali Khan’s time offerings to Hanuman, of flowers, Roli &c., were made at the foot of a glorious old tamarind tree, known by the name of Ram Chaura. On a certain occasion the Nawab just named was seized with a severe illness, which it was thought, was cured by the prayers of Abhai Ram, the chief of the then mendicants of Ayodhya, and this secured for the Nawab's good offices and gratitude. Lord Hanumdn is said subsequently to have appeared to Abhai Ram in a vision, and to have desired him to build a temple at Ram Chaura, and this he accordingly did.  This huge temple and its residential complex is spread over 52 bighas, described as a temple-fortress, and which in the 19th century possessed gifts from the crown that brought it Rs50,000 in revenue.

Copy of Sanad received by Abhai Ram Bairagi from  Nawab Safdar Jung  for Hanuman Garhi . Published in Tarikh-i Awadh Volume 5 by   Muhammad Najmul Ghani page number 200 .

The wordings of the Sanad are : "Be it known that this sanad was issued specially for Faqir (Bairagi) Abhayarama in perpetuity, with an order of exemption from taxes. It is imperative for the Faqir (Bairagi) Abhayarāma to build residential houses for his fellow Faqirs (Bairagis) on the mound and remain engaged in praying for the perpetual glory, grandeur and good fortune of the King. The present officers and employees and the future ones should not claim royal dues or civil claims from the mentioned land and should not demand the sanad for renewal every year. The sanad was issued under the seal of Abul Fatah Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah and dated 15th Rabi-ul-Awwal of the fifth regnal year, i.e. on 13th December, 1723."