Hanol Mahasu Temple is situated at an altitude of 1429 m in the village of
Hanol, 120 km from Chakrata on the eastern bank of the Tamas. This temple constructed in Huna style architecture is dedicated to Mahasu.
Tradition recounts that a demon lived here and killed the people, one by one each day. A devotee of Lord Shiva in Mandrath challenged the custom and prayed to Shiva for help. This ardent devotee of the lord, Deolari Devi, a resident of Hanol, was being directed by God. Accordingly, she sent her four sons to Mandrath, where from a field they obtained four Shivlings. The shivlings were given the names of the four young men. Meanwhile the demon was killed by the four sons and the villagers thereafter started worshipping Shiva as Mahasu.
The temple is located 186 km from Dehradun. The
Hanol Mela celebrated every October draws a large crowd.
