Lord Hanuman also is known as Mahavira, Bajrangbali, is a Hindu god and an ardent devotee of the god Rama.

He is one of the central figures in the Hindu epic Ramayana and its various versions. As one of the Chiranjivi, he is also mentioned in several other texts, including Mahabharata, the various Puranas and some Jain texts. Lord Hanuman participated in Rama’s war against the demon king Ravana. Hindu texts also present him as an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

Hanuman, in one interpretation, is also considered as the incarnation of LordShiva or reflection of Lord Shiva.

(Click on the photos for the larger images and you will see the intricate artistry, which went into them)

 

He is the son of Anjana and Kesari, and is also described as the son of the wind-god Vayu, who according to several stories, played a role in his birth.

Lord Hanuman is a strict bachelor and is a great devotee of Lord Sri Ram. He is known as a ‘Chiranjeevi’ which means immortal and also Omni present.

Other names of Lord Hanuman include:

  • Anjaneya,]Anjaniputra, ‘Anjaneyar(Tamil), Anjaneyudu(Telugu), all meaning “the son of Anjana”.
  • KesariNandan (“son of Kesari”)
  • Marutinandan, Pavanputra, Vaataatmaja: “the son of the wind-god Vayu”; the deity who carried Hanuman to Anjana’s womb.
  • Bajrang Bali, “the strong one (bali), who had limbs (anga) as hard as a vajra (bajra)”; this name is widely used in rural North India.

He is one of the immortals (Chiranjivi) of Hinduism.

Hanuman is worshipped by villagers as a boundary guardian, by Shaiva ascetics as a Yogi, and by wrestlers for his strength.[35] There are numerous temples for Hanuman, and his images are usually installed at all temples where images of avatars of Vishnu are installed. Hanuman temples are believed to keep the area and surroundings free of rakshasas (demons) and other evil beings. Hanuman idols are found on mountain roads because it is believed that he protects people from accidents.

Relation with Shani.

In Hinduism, Hanuman is one of the few persons — human or divine — who cannot be adversely affected by Shani, the astrological personification of the planet Saturn. Legend has it that Shani, a planet believed to have a highly negative influence, could not cast his malefic spell over Hanuman. As a result, people worship Hanuman to get rid of the adverse effects that Shani inflicts on people’s lives.

According to one version of the story, Lord Shani once climbed onto Hanuman’s shoulders, indicating that he (Hanuman) was about to come under the malefic influence of the planet Saturn. Hanuman immediately assumed such a large size that Shani was caught painfully between Hanuman’s shoulders and the ceiling of the room they were in. As the pain was unbearable, Shani asked Hanuman to release him, promising that he would moderate the malefic effects of his influence on any person who prayed to Hanuman. At this point, Hanuman released Shani.

In the hymn “The Thousand Names of Hanuman” (HanumansahasranamStotra), Shani is one of the names of Hanuman; and in some regions of India, Hanuman is depicted sporting an iron whip like that of Shani.

Relation with Shani (Saturn)

In the Hindu faith, Hanuman is not afflicted by Shani.

In the Ramayana, Hanuman is said to have rescued Shani, that is, the planet Saturn, from the clutches of Ravana. In gratitude, Shani promised Hanuman that those who prayed to him (Hanuman) would be rescued from the painful effects of Saturn, which in Hindu astrology, is said to produce malefic effects on one’s life when one is afflicted “negatively” with Saturn.

Hanuman’s holy day is Saturday, and those who worship him on Saturday are protected from the painful effects of Saturn.

Hanuman and negative energies

Hanuman is worshiped also to get rid or win over demons (like daitya, danava), demi-gods (like Yaksha, kinnara, Gandharvas, Nāga-Nāginī), evil spirits (like Bhutam, Preta, Pishacha, Churela, Vetala, Brahmrakshasa) and other powerful negative energies (like Dakini, Shakini, Kakini, Kamini), which find their mention in Hinduism

Lord Hanuman is a popular deity who has a mass following all across the country. Worshipping Lord Hanuman every day ensures pious life and relieves you from troubles. Hanuman ji can be worshipped every day of the week as he has been blessed by every god. Saturday has special significance though. The logic behind worshipping Lord Hanuman as Veer Anjaneye (Vir An-jan-e-yeah) on Saturday dates back to Ramayana period.

Hanuman is said to have taught ShaniDev a lesson in modesty when he united the Planet god with his father, Surya. Shanidev, feeling obliged, bestowed that all devotees would remain unaffected from ShaniDoshaif they worship Hanuman on Saturdays.

When you visit any town or village in India you will find many idols of Lord Hanuman. They are mostly orange in color. It is said that lord Hanuman is the only God who can help to get rid of evil spirits. Many people worship the Lord Hanuman to get blessed and to get free from evil spirits. It is said that Lord Hanuman can remove all hurdles. People often pray to Lord Hanuman before they start a journey. You will find small idols of Hanuman in vehicles and cars. This is mainly because lord Hanuman can protect people from all trouble.

Although there is no day when you cannot worship Lord Hanuman, still tuesdays and saturdays are specifically dedicated as the days of Lord Hanuman. If the puja of Lord Hanuman is done on Saturday it can protect you from all evil and trouble in life. Some say that Lord Hanuman is pleased with love and devotion. If any devotee worships him with all heart they will get blessed. You can also chant the name of Ram Naam or

“Aum Shree HanumateNamah”

for as many times as you can in a day. Lord Hanuman is also associated with Goddess Kaali. This is exactly why when you offer prayer to Goddess Kaali you are indirectly praying to Lord Hanuman too. You can also fast on this day.

The following story below is taken from; http://www.iloveindia.com/spirituality/gods/hanuman/legends.html

Hanuman and His Love for Eating

Here is one more interesting story of Hanuman depicting the regard and dedication towards Lord Rama. Once Sitaji invited Hanuman for a lunch and especially which was cooked by her. Sitaji made many delicacies for the lunch, which was to be attended by Hanuman. Hanuman ji came and started eating the food served to him. He ate the whole food which was made in the kitchen.S itaji quickly made more delicacies in order to satisfy the hunger of Hanuman. Hanuman ate that too and asked for more. Again, Sitaji cooked some more food and again it got finished in seconds.

The condition was that nothing was left in the kitchen to cook. Sitaji got tensed and thought to ask lord Rama about the situation. She conveyed the whole scene to Rama. Rama asked Sitaji to give a Tulsi-dal (a leaf of Tulsi) to Hanuman and her problem would be solved. Sitaji did the same and Hanuman’s appetite got satisfied. This shows that the words of Lord Rama are inevitable for Hanuman.

Therefore during prayer to Lord Hanuman, a single a Tulsi-dal (a leaf of Tulsi) is also required to be offered to Lord Hanuman he is thereby satisfied.

Hanuman Chalisa

Hanuman Chalisa is one of the remarkable poetic creation of Goswami Tulsidas. Hanuman Chalisha acquires a special site and significance in Hindu religion. It is believed that chanting Hanuman Chalisa can assuage Lord Hanuman and earn his golden blessings. Hanuman who is also called as god in monkey form is one of the most worshiped lords among Hindus. His blessings are so significant and powerful that it can vanish every grieve and negative situations in any person’s life too fast bringing in peace and prosperity. Hanuman Chalisa can be found on the net.

The Lord Hanuman is very soft hearted and he always helps his devotees. You must try to worship the Lord and get blessed and protected.

Bhadra Maruti Temple Khultabad, Aurangabad

Bhadra Maruti Temple

(Click on the photos for the larger images and you will see the intricate artistry, which went into them)

Bhadra Maruti Temple, Khultabad is a temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Hanuman, located at Khuldabad, near Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The temple is located four kilometers from the Ellora caves.

At this temple, the idol of Hanuman is portrayed in a reclining or sleeping posture. It is one of only three places where Hanuman is represented in a sleeping posture. The second noted place is a temple on the banks of Yamuna at Allahabad and Uttar Pradesh and the third is at Jam Sawali, Madhya Pradesh.

The Bhadra Maruti Temple is considered one of the tourist attractions near Aurangabad and people gather in lakhs during auspicious occasions like Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami. People from Aurangabad and nearby places walk to the temple to offer puja on Saturdays in the Marathi calendar month of “Shravan”.

According to folklore, in ancient times the Khuldabad was known as Bhadravati and the ruler was a noble king named Bhadrasena, who was an ardent devotee of Rama and used to sing songs in His praise. One day Hanumanji descended in the place, listening to the devotional songs sung in praise of Rama. He was mesmerized and without his knowledge took a reclining posture – called ‘Bhava-samadhi’ (Bhava samadhi is a yogic posture). King Bhadrasen, when he had finished his song, was astonished to find Hanuman in Samadhi before him. He requested Hanuman to reside there forever and bless his and Lord Rama’s devotees.