Lord Hanuman, the seventh avatar of the God Vishnu, is a reincarnation of Lord Shiva and a devoted devotee of Lord Rama. Hanuman Ji sometimes referred to as the monkey god, is revered by villagers as a protector and is the subject of several temples and statues across India. There are well-known Hanuman temples all around the world, especially in India. Hanuman is a Hindu God and an ardent devotee of Lord 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.
Vanara (monkey), Hanuman participated in Rama’s war against the demon king Ravana. Several texts also present him as an incarnation of Shiva. He is the son of Anjana and Kesari and is also described as the son of the wind-God Pawan, who according to several stories, played a role in his birth. By the 10th century CE, Hanuman was viewed as a manifestation of the god Shiva (this development possibly started as early as the 8th century CE). The Mahabhagvata Purana, the Skanda Purana, the Brhaddharma Purana, and the Mahanataka, among other Sanskrit literature, all refer to Hanuman as an avatar of Shiva or Rudra. The three gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva merged to take the shape of Hanuman, according to the 17th-century Odia text Rasavinoda by Dinakrishnadasa.
In the Middle Ages, Hanuman rose in stature and was represented as the perfect Rama-follower (bhakta). Another significant development during this time was the perception of him as a lifelong brahmachari (celibate).
Hanuman was a Benaras child. His mother, Apsara Anjana, was born on earth as a result of a curse. When she gave birth to a son, the curse was lifted from her. According to the Valmiki Ramayana, his father Kesari was the king of a country called Sumeru and was the son of Rahu. Anjana prayed fervently to Shiva for a child for a total of 12 years. Shiva gave them the blessing they requested because he was moved by their devotion. From a different perspective, Hanuman is seen as Shiva’s incarnation or mirror.
Jakhoo Temple, one of the most well-known temples dedicated to the monkey god Lord Hanuman, is situated at an elevation of 8100 feet. Additionally, it has an enormous, 108-foot-tall statue of Lord Hanuman.
Ayodhya’s Hanumangadhi
On top of a tall hill near Ayodhya, the Hanumangadhi temple is located on the right bank of the Saryu River. 76 stairs must be climbed to get to this temple. This Hanuman idol, which is about 6 inches long, is always covered in garlands.
Patna’s Mahavir Mandir
The second most visited religious site in North India is the Mahavir Mandir in Patna, one of Lord Hanuman’s holiest temples in all of India. Numerous pilgrims travel to the Mahavir Mandir, which is also the second-richest temple trust in North India.
Jamnagar’s Shri Hanuman Temple
In addition to being mentioned throughout The Guinness Book of World Records for singing Ram Dhun, the Shri Bala Hanuman Temple of Jamnagar, which is devoted to Lord Hanuman, is quite well known in India. Jamnagar is home to several historic temples, including the marble Jain temples and Sidhnath Mahadev Temple.
Delhi’s Hanuman Templ e
One of Delhi’s five Mahabharata-era temples is the Hanuman Temple at Connaught Place. A self-made idol of Lord Hanuman, known in the temple as Sri Hanuman Ji Maharaj, is there.
Sarangpur’s Kashtbhanjan Hanuman Temple
The Shri Hanuman Mandir in Sarangpur, Gujarat, honors Lord Hanuman as Kastbhanjan and is situated in the city. This temple, which is one of the more notable ones, is located on a low-lying hillside.
Chitrakut and Hanumandhara
In Chitrakoot, the Panchmukhi Hanuman Dhara temple is perched on a rocky outcrop several hundred feet above a sloping hillside. Additionally, Chitrakut is well-known for its numerous Ramayan-related temples and locations.
Salasar Hanuman Temple
Salasar Hanuman Temple, also known as Salasar Balaji Temple, is a distinctive and significant Hanuman shrine that is situated in the Rajasthani town of Salasar. The temple contains statues of Lord Hanuman with a round face, beard, and mustache.
Gujarat’s Bet Dwarka Hanuman Temple
The Bet Dwarka Hanuman Temple is next to the Bet Dwarka island’s temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The island is also regarded as a piece of the historic city of Dwarka, and Bet Dwarka is home to many sacred sites.
Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple
South India’s Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple is a well-known temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It boasts one of Tamil India’s tallest statues of Lord Hanuman. The temple also houses shrines for Narasimha and Anjaneyar separately.
Allahabad’s Hanuman Mandir
The only temple in India where Lord Hanumanji is depicted in a reclining position is the Hanuman Mandir in Sangam, popularly known as the Bade Hanuman Ji Temple. The enormous Hanuman deity in this temple measures 20 feet long by 8 feet wide when it is in the resting position.
Sarangpur’s Kashtbhanjan Hanuman Temple
In Sarangpur, the Shri Hanuman Mandir is dedicated to Lord Hanuman as Kastbhanjan. This temple, which is one of India’s most well-known temples, is located on a small hill.
