Summary-
Hanuman, the revered deity-devotee in Hinduism, symbolizes devotion, strength, and heroism. His tales, rooted in the Ramayana, narrate his divine birth, immense powers, and unwavering service to Lord Rama. From leaping across oceans to burning Lanka, Hanuman’s heroics embody selflessness. His worship, especially through the Hanuman Chalisa, grants protection, wisdom, and spiritual strength. In this blog, we look at the stories, worship traditions, and regional beliefs centred around Hanuman, making him one of the most adored gods in the ancient Hindu pantheon.
There are undoubtedly numerous icons and figures in Hinduism and in Indian culture. While the gods and goddesses always take precedence, another significant figure is that of the Hanuman. Hanuman is a famed companion of the god Rama and takes the form of a divine monkey. As such, stories about Hanuman can be found in the Ramayana, which is one of the most important epics in Indian culture.
Aside from being the companion of Rama, another one of his roles is that of the commander of the monkey army. The precise definition of the name Hanuman seems to be unclear. However, legend has it that one morning, Hanuman flew into the sky in order to grab the sun, which he mistook for a fruit.
This act led Indra, who is the king of the gods, to strike Hanuman on the jaw with a thunderbolt, thus breaking and disfiguring his jaw. The name Hanuman emerged from this as it means “one having a disfigured jaw”. Hanuman is also referred to by many other names, including Hanumat, Anuman, Anjaneya, Kesarisuta, and Kapeeshwara, among others.
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Hanuman is said to be the son of Anjana, who is another hero in the Ramayana, and Kesari, who was a male vanara, which is a monkey or a humanoid ape. There are also others that state that Vayu, the wind god, played a role in the birth of Hanuman, which is why he is also called the son of Vayu. There are a few different legends that narrate the birth or rebirth of Hanuman.
One of which states that after Hanuman was struck dead by Indra, Vayu became enraged and because of this, decided to withdraw all air from the Earth. Without the support of Vayu and without the existence of air, all living things suffered greatly. Lord Shiva was then forced to get involved and he decided to resuscitate Hanuman and bring him back to life.
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With Hanuman reborn, Vayu decided to go back to the Earth and be among the living beings again. To make amends for his actions against Hanuman, Indra agreed to grant Hanuman a wish. Hanuman’s wish was that his body would be just as strong and powerful as Indra’s vajra weapon and that his own vajra would never be able to inflict harm on himself.
Aside from Indra, a number of other gods granted Hanuman special wishes. Some of these wishes included the inability for fire to harm him, which was bestowed by the Agni Dev (Hindu God of Fire). Vayu himself granted Hanuman the ability to become as fast as the wind and immune to any harm from the wind.
Lord Brahma, on the other hand, granted Hanuman the power to move to any place, where he would be unstoppable, and Lord Vishnu bestowed him with a special weapon called gada. All the wishes that were granted and the powers that Hanuman was bestowed with made him an immortal with incomparable abilities and strength.
Later on, Hanuman began to use his powers irresponsibly against innocents. On one such occasion, he made the mistake of using his powers on a sage as he meditated. Very much angered, the sage decided to curse Hanuman and made him forget the existence of most, if not all, of his powers. The curse would only be broken if someone were to remind Hanuman of his powers.
There is much uncertainty regarding Hanuman’s life from the time of the curse until his role in the Ramayana. However, there is certainly no doubt regarding his significance. As the story of the Ramayana narrates, Rama and his brother Lakshmana arrive in Kishkindha searching for Rama’s wife Sita. Sugriva, the monkey king, agrees to assist the brothers in their search and sends his men in different directions.
Hanuman, Jambayan, and a group of the king’s men headed south in search of Sita. However, when they arrive in the southernmost area of India, they are faced with the ocean and the island of Lanka on the far horizon. They needed to reach Lanka in order to search the island for Sita but they were unable to swim or jump far enough over the water in order to reach the island.
It was only Jambayan, who, having previously witnessed Hanuman powers, reminded Hanuman of his ability to reach Lanka and thus lifted the sage’s curse. With the curse finally broken, Hanuman recalls all his extraordinary abilities and divine powers.
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Utilizing a range of his unique and powerful abilities, Hanuman not only reaches Lanka but he discovers the evil Ravana and the city inhabited by his demon followers. Hanuman was not only able to find Sita, who was being held captive by Ravana, in a grove within the city but he was able to speak with her.
Unfortunately, Hanuman could not free Sita himself as the task had to be performed personally by her husband, Rama. Hanuman was then captured by Ravana, who orders his servants to set Hanuman on fire. However, immune to the dangers of fire, Hanuman not only escapes but destroys Ravana’s city and sets most of it ablaze.
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Hanuman not only has a crucial role in rescuing Sita but he subsequently acts as an army general in the legendary Battle of Lanka. During the battle, it is also Hanuman who saves a fatally injured Lakshmana. In order to survive the injury, Lakshmana needed the cure from a specific herb and only Hanuman would be able to gather the herb in time.
In doing so, Hanuman himself grew to the size of a mountain and ripped off the side of a mountain, gathering all the herbs on it in order to ensure that he had what Lakshmana specifically needed. It is said that this heroic act of Hanuman is one of the most legendary among Hindus.
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To thank Hanuman for all he had done, Rama blessed him with a gift. However, Hanuman threw the gift away, stating that Rama would always be in his heart and that he did not need any gift to remember him by. Skeptical of this, some officials of Rama’s court asked him to prove it. Undeterred, Hanuman tore his chest open and showed an image of Rama and Sita on his heart.
Truly touched by this, Rama not only cured Hanuman but also bestowed him with immortality. However, Hanuman again refused the gift of immortality and simply asked for a place at Rama’s feet, from where he could worship him. Not only did Rama grant Hanuman a place, but he blessed him with immortality.
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Icons of Hanuman can either show him alone or with Rama and Sita. When depicted with Rama and Sita, Hanuman usually appears at the right side of Rama while bowing or kneeling to them in the namaste position. When portrayed alone, Hanuman can either be holding his Gada weapon and a thunderbolt or opening his chest to show the carved image of Rama and Sita on his heart. Hanuman is usually venerated as one of the secondary figures in temples that are specifically dedicated to Rama. However, on some occasions, he is considered a brave and powerful god himself.
The image of Hanuman is often identified by-
🔶His monkey face connects him to the Vaanara clan
🔶Gada or mace is a powerful weapon and a symbol of unparalleled strength
🔶A pleasant expression, which contrasts with the well-built, warrior form of Hanuman, who is revered because of his benevolent nature that balances his unfathomable power.
🔶Raam-Naam, often engraved on his hand raised in Abhaya, or an image of Sri Rama in his heart, marks the unbreakable bond between the devotee and the deity, an eternal symbol of Bhakti.
The Hanuman Chalisa is a 40-verse prayer dedicated to Lord Hanuman, composed by the great saint Tulsidas in the 16th century. The Chalisa is one of the most powerful and widely recited devotional hymns in Hinduism and is a part of the routine of Hanuman-bhaktas who sing it with instruments during special festivals, Hanuman Jayanti or Tuesday (Mangalvaar) and Saturday (Shanivaar)- special days dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
🔶Devotion and Strength : The Hanuman Chalisa is believed to invoke the divine blessings of Hanuman, offering devotees protection, strength, and courage. It is often recited by those seeking to overcome obstacles, especially in times of personal or spiritual crisis.
🔶Spiritual Cleansing : Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa is believed to purify the mind and heart of the devotee. It has a poetic quality that allows the readers to elevate themselves from their surroundings and create a connection with Hanuman, who is a great Yogi who blesses the devotees with wisdom and discipline to attain supreme wisdom.
🔶Protection from Harm : One of the key reasons people recite the Hanuman Chalisa is for the protection it offers. It is believed that the hymn protects the devotee from evil spirits, misfortune, and any negative forces. Hanuman, as a powerful warrior and protector, becomes a shield for the devotees, ensuring that they remain safe from harm.
🔶Recital in Times of Trouble : The Hanuman Chalisa is often recited during times of distress, illness, or personal turmoil. It is believed to be especially powerful when chanted 108 times in a row, offering solace and peace to those going through tough times. It helps devotees align their focus on positivity and hope, offering divine intervention in their lives.
🔶Spiritual Benefits : Regular recital of the Hanuman Chalisa is said to help in the attainment of wisdom, devotion, and a deep sense of peace. It instills a sense of fearlessness in the devotee and encourages selfless service. The prayer is also believed to grant success, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment.
The powerful presence of Hanuman is experienced in the varied regional traditions of India, where devotees celebrate him through rituals, festivals, and customs, making him even more popular and prevalent in certain areas than his Lord Sri Rama, a fact that exemplifies that more than being a country of gods, India is a country of devotees.
🔶Bhakti and Devotion : In Tamil Nadu, Hanuman is worshipped in temples, where devotees offer prayers for strength and courage. The worship of Hanuman is often linked with devotion to Lord Rama, as the Tamil-speaking people have a strong tradition of Rama-centric bhakti movements led by Madhavacharya and other Vaishnava teachers.
🔶Thiruvananthapuram’s Hanuman Temple : The famous temple at Thiruvananthapuram, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, is one of the most significant places of pilgrimage for Hindu devotees. Hanuman is revered not only for his strength but also for his capacity to remove obstacles and protect his devotees. This temple attracts a large number of pilgrims, especially during Hanuman Jayanti.
🔶Hanuman Jayanti Celebrations : In Tamil Nadu, which is a historic center for Bhakti (devotion), Hanuman is an especially revered deity, whose birthday on Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with great joy.
🔶Hanuman in the Ramayana : While Lord Rama’s presence is central to East Indian culture, Hanuman, too, plays a vital role. The epic Ramayana has always been popular in Bengali literature, and the depiction of Hanuman in these texts as a devoted servant of Rama is admired. Hanuman represents physical and emotional strength, and his tales of valor are retold in many folk songs and theatrical performances.
🔶Hanuman in Pata Paintings : The Pata (cloth scroll) paintings of Bengal and Odisha are profound visual sources that contain the folk and ritual elements of these regions. Hanuman as Panchamukhi (five-headed) and legends of Hanuman from the Ramayana are popular themes in Pata art, which symbolises the popularity of Hanuman outside the written and oral expressions of devotion.
🔶Importance in Rural Bengal : In rural Bengal, Hanuman is also venerated as a deity who protects against illness and natural disasters. His association with physical and mental strength is frequently invoked during agricultural activities to ensure prosperity and good harvests.
🔶Anjaneri Hills in Nasik: In Maharashtra, Hanuman is often seen as a guardian deity and a protector of the people. Anjaneri Hills are a sacred place in Maharashtra, believed to be the home of Hanuman, where his mother Anjana gave birth to the divine monkey-God.
🔶11 Maruti Temples: Established by Saint Samartha Ramadasa in the 17th century, these shrines are dedicated to Hanuman and are centres for pilgrimage during Hanuman Jayanti, Rama Navami, and other festivals.
🔶Shani Shingnapur: As a protector against the negative fruits of Karma that Shani brings, Hanuman (and Shiva) are worshipped in the world-famous village of Shani Shingnapur, alongside the planet-God.
Hanuman, the embodiment of strength, devotion, and selflessness, continues to inspire millions across generations. His heroic deeds in the Ramayana, unwavering loyalty to Lord Rama, and the deep symbolism attached to his persona make him one of the most revered figures in Hinduism.
Across regional traditions, his presence highlights his connection with the people, who worship him as an endearing, approachable, and powerful protector. From Tamil Nadu to Bengal, from towering statues to sacred temples, Hanuman stands as a divine guardian, reminding devotees of the boundless power that resides in complete surrender to one’s Ishta and the strength that lies in Bhakti.
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