Lord Anjaneya

Lord Anjaneya, also called Shri Hanuman, is celebrated and adorned by all the Hindu people. He played very important role in one of the major Hindu Epics, Ramayan in which He was very helpful in bringing back Devi Seetha, consort of Lord Rama, from Srilanka where She had been imprisoned by the demon Ravan.

In legend it is told that He is none other than the son of Lord Vayu, the God of Wind. He is saving all His faithful devotees from the ill fortunes and tribulations created by the malefic planets. He is next to Lord Vinayaka who is also so powerful to save His devotees from the malefic planets. Lord Anjaneya has a peculiar shape with monkey face and gigantic hairy body. He is having a weapon called Gadayutham in his right hand and some times He is represented as flying over the sky by carrying Sanjeevi Hills on one hand and Gadayutham in the other one. In most of the pictures He is shown in a meditating position.

Lord Anjaneya has great bakthi and faith on Lord Rama. He served to Shri Rama and His consort Devi Seetha to the most. He is only God who brought Sanjeevi Hills when Laxman was struggling for his life. There is an interesting story behind it.

When Lord Rama and others were waring against Ravan to save Devi Seetha, one day Lord Laxman was wounded and went to unconscious state by the powerful throne which was hurled by Indrajit, son of demon Ravan. A sage from Rama's side urged to bring a certain medicinal leaves which would be only available at Sanjeevi Hills to save Laxman. At once Lord Anjaneya flew over the sky towards Sanjeevi Hills to bring the medicinal leaves. But, unfortunately He could not identify the required leaves. Then Lord Anjaneya came to a decision and carried the whole Sanjeevi hills on His hand and brought it where Lord Laxman was lying in the serious condition. Then the sage went through the hills and collected the medicinal leaves which were required to save the life of Lord Laxman. Thus shri Hanuman did the timely help to save the life of Lord Laxman.

Lord Anjaneya is also told as the other incarnation of Lord Shiva who wished to serve Lord Rama. Once Lord Vishnu incarnated to serve Lord Shiva and made Him very happy. On seeing His faiful services and true bakthi, Lord Shiva decided to reciprocate the same to Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva pleased to Lord Vishnu to bless an opportunity to serve Him in His next incarnation. Thus Great Bakthi of Lord Vishnu on Lord Shiva made the other incarnation of Lord Shiva, Shri Anjaneya, to fulfil His services to His Lord Rama, the other incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The Hindu people celebrate and adorn Him in all the days of a week. Particularly on Thursdays and Saturdays the people decorate Him with a garland made of south indian oily recipe called 'vada' which is made of black grams, onions and spices like peppers.

At Sushindram and Nanganallur in Tamil Nadu, India there are famous temples for Lord Anjaneya.