Hanuman
The Devoted Warrior
Anjaneya Swamy - the greatest bhakta of Rama. His bhakti shakti is boundless. Every Telugu village has a Hanuman temple at the entrance.
- Sanskrit/Telugu name: హనుమంతుడు
- Also known as: Anjaneya, Bajrangbali, Maruti, Vayuputra
- Weapons: Gada
- Symbols: Vanara form, Gada, Sanjeevani mountain, Rama in his chest
Story
Hanuman is the son of Vayu Deva and Anjana Devi. As a child, he tried to swallow the Surya thinking it was a fruit. In the Ramayanam, he becomes Rama's most loyal sevaka - he leaps across the ocean to Lanka, finds Sita in Ashoka Vanam, burns Lanka with his tail, and carries the entire Sanjeevani Parvatam to save Lakshmana. When asked to show his bhakti, he tore open his chest to reveal Sita-Rama living in his hridayam. In Telugu villages, you'll find a Hanuman temple at every village entrance - he is the rakshaka (protector). Anjaneya Swamy temples are everywhere in Hyderabad, from Secunderabad's famous Pedda Anjaneya to countless roadside temples. Hanuman Jayanti and Tuesday pujas are deeply observed.
Fun fact
Hanuman is a Chiranjeevi - he is believed to be alive today, present wherever the Ramayanam is recited. In Telugu homes, Sundarakanda parayanam (reciting Hanuman's chapter) is done during difficult times.
Family and connections
- Devotee: Rama