Hanuman

Attributes

Iconography

Depicted as a vanara (monkey-faced) god with a red body, holding a gada (mace), often shown tearing open his chest to reveal Rama and Sita in his heart (Bhakta Hanuman). Sometimes shown flying with the Sanjivani mountain, or in the kneeling pose of devotion before Rama. Has a tail that burns (Lanka Dahan).

The Story

Hanuman was born to Anjana (an apsara cursed to be a monkey) and Kesari (king of monkeys), but is also considered the son of Vayu (the wind god). He is an avatar of Lord Shiva, born to assist Rama (Vishnu's avatar). As a child, he tried to swallow the sun, mistaking it for a fruit — Indra struck him with a thunderbolt, fracturing his jaw. Enraged, Vayu withdrew the wind from the universe, suffocating all creatures. To appease Vayu, the gods blessed Hanuman with invincibility, immortality (Chiranjeevi), and immense strength. In the Ramayana, Hanuman is Rama's greatest devotee and most trusted ally. He crossed the ocean to Lanka in a single leap, found Sita in Ravana's garden, comforted her with Rama's message, and set Lanka ablaze with his burning tail. He later flew to the Himalayas to fetch the Sanjivani herb to save Lakshmana's life, carrying the entire mountain back when he could not identify the specific herb. After Rama's victory, Rama blessed Hanuman with eternal life — he would remain on earth as long as Rama's name is chanted. Hanuman is one of the 7 Chiranjeevis (immortals) and is believed to be present wherever the Ramayana is recited.

Significance

Hanuman is the embodiment of bhakti (devotion), strength (bala), and selfless service (seva). He represents the ideal devotee — his whole existence is dedicated to Rama. He is revered not only in Hinduism but also in Buddhism and Jainism. His name "Hanuman" is believed to come from "Hanu" (jaw) + "man" (prominent) — referencing his disfigured jaw from Indra's thunderbolt. He is also called Anjaneya (son of Anjana), Bajrangbali (strong as a thunderbolt), Maruti (son of Marut/Vayu), and Sankat Mochan (remover of troubles). Worship of Hanuman is particularly powerful on Tuesdays and Saturdays — he is believed to protect from Saturn's affliction (Sade Sati), evil spirits, and obstacles. The Hanuman Chalisa (40-verse hymn by Tulsidas) is one of the most chanted Hindu texts. He is also invoked for courage, physical strength, and protection during travel. In Maharashtra, he is worshipped as the family deity of the warrior class (Mard Maratha). His devotion to Rama is the model for every Vaishnava — total surrender of the self to the divine.

Famous Temples

Festivals

Stotras & Mantras