The Temple is dedicated to Mahasu Devta, Lord Mahasu is the chief Deity of this area and is worshipped in Mahasu Devta Temple by the people of Hanol and nearby villages. The temple is the ancient temple of Mahasu Devta built in 9th century. The temple was constructed in Huna architectural style initially but over the ages, acquired a mixed style. The temple is included in the Archaeological Survey
of India list of ancient temple in Dehradun circle, Uttarakhand.[1]
Mahasu Devta Temple is located on the eastern bank of Tons River [Tamas] at Hanol village, near Chakrata, about 180 km from Dehradun and 78 km from Mussoorie. The name of the village according to the legend was kept after the name of Huna Bhatt, a Brahmin. Earlier the place was known to be Chakrapur, and it is said to be the place to which the pandavas escape from laksha graha or the Lakhmandal on River Yamuna. The village is situated at an altitude of 1,050 m above M.S.L on the left bank of river tons earlier known as River Tamas (meaning short tempered). Of course it is since no water can be drawn from it for irrigation purposes, because of its precipitous banks and deep gorges. It is for this very reason the river is called Karam Nashini. According to the another tradition the water of River Tons are the tears from the eyes of Bhubruvanan. The temple village of Hanol is a sort of pilgrimage place for people living in vast areas in the mountainous parts of Uttrakhand, west of Yamuna River, The trans giri area of Sirmaur district and major part of Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. Hanol is approachable from Tiuni, a well-known trijunction of roads on the Pabbar River after covering a distance of 15 km on an all-weather motorable road which meanders smoothly through the pine clad mountain slopes. Although the terrain through which the road passes is very narrow and by the another side of road one can see the river tons. Besides his ancient and principal temple at Hanol, Mahasu Devta has number of temples scattered in his deitydom. Also the temples dedicated to Mahasu Devta Birs (His two deputies) Kaulo and Shedkulia has exclusive temples for them in Theog and Jubbal. one of the temple of mahashudevta is situated in village -lakshiyar, which is 70--80 km far from dehradun
