Hanuman (Temple Forms)

Hanuman, the foremost devotee of Lord Rama, is a central figure in the Ramayana and is venerated across India in numerous temple forms. His Vedic origins are traced to the Rigveda (1.32) where a divine monkey-like being aids Indra, though his full narrative unfolds in the epic Ramayana (Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kanda). As the son of Vayu (wind god) and Anjana, he is also called Pavanputra. The Puranas, such as the Skanda Purana and Shiva Purana, elaborate on his birth and exploits. Hanuman is a chiranjivi (immortal) and is believed to be present wherever Rama's name is chanted.

Iconographically, Hanuman is depicted with a monkey face, a strong physique, and a gada (mace). He often carries the Sanjeevani mountain, as recounted in the Ramayana (Yuddha Kanda) when he flew to the Himalayas to fetch the herb for Lakshmana. His body is smeared with sindoor (vermilion), symbolizing his devotion—according to tradition, he applied sindoor to please Rama. The Panchamukhi Hanuman form, described in the Hanuman Chalisa and the Puranas, has five faces: Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha, and Hayagriva, each representing a divine attribute. Other regional forms include Veera Hanuman (warrior posture), Dhyana Hanuman (meditative), and Bala Hanuman (child form).

Principal myths include his leap to Lanka, burning of Lanka with his tail, and his role in the war against Ravana. The Hanuman Chalisa, composed by Tulsidas, is a 40-verse hymn extolling his virtues. Regional worship traditions vary: in Maharashtra, he is worshipped as Maruti; in Tamil Nadu, as Anjaneya; and in North India, as Bajrangbali. Temples like the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi and the Hanuman Dhara in Chitrakoot are major pilgrimage sites. In Hindu cosmology, Hanuman represents the ideal of bhakti (devotion), strength, and selfless service, and is invoked for protection and courage. His worship is especially prominent on Saturdays and during Hanuman Jayanti.

Monkey-faced, with gada (mace). Often shown carrying Sanjeevani mountain. Five-faced forms have different attributes. Vermilion (sindoor) smeared on body.