More on Hanuman and His VIP status!

We would have seen Anjaneya in temples, decorated with Kumkum or Chendooram. (Chendooram is similar to Kumkum but it's saffron in colour instead of red. )

There is a fascinating legend behind this.

Once, Anjaneya sees Sita Devi applying Kumkum on her forehead, as is the custom among Indian ladies. He asks Her the reason for this. Sita replies, "I apply this Kumkum on my forehead so that my husband SriRam lives a long life". Hanuman thinks that if such a small amount of Kumkum can increase beloved Ram's life, then applying kumkum all over the body would make Him live for many, many years. He thus comes to the court of Ram, red in colour, with Kumkum smeared all over His body!

Seeing Him in such a funny form, the people in the court start laughing at Him. Then, SriRam asks Him for an explanation for this act. Maruti explains the reason, and Rama is speechless after seeing this innocent show of Bhakti by Hanuman. He then blesses Hanuman and proclaims that Hanuman must be worshipped with Kumkum. What a privilege-The one whom He worships instructs the world how to worship Him!

That's why you'll find Anjaneya with bright red kumkum in temples. Kumkum is also given as Prasadam in Hanuman temples.

Shown in the picture above is the Chendooram Alangaram in the Ashtamsa Varadha Anjaneyar temple, Peelamedu - Opp.Esso Bunk Coimbatore- 641 004.

Thanks to http://www.avaalankarams.blogspot.com/.

Worshipping Lord Hanuman is an excellent pariharam for all problems.

Yesterday being Hanuman Jayanti, Hanuman/Rama temples would have been full of devotees.

Let's know some interesting facets of Hanuman:

He is truly a VIP deity-Devotees first pray to Him when they visit Rama temples! Hanuman, the loyal friend of Sri Rama is an Avatara of Lord Rudra-and His power to destroy enemies is well known. Not surprisingly, traditional Indian wrestlers invoke Him (Jai Bajrang Bali) before fighting!

Those who pray to Him get relief from the malefic effects of Shani (The other deity who gives us this protection is Ayyapan), and I have been to a Hanuman temple in Cochin where Poojas are done by the faithful for this. Also known as Anjaneya(the son of Anjana), He is a Chiranjeevi(immortal) and has a very special distinction among all deities-He is present in both the Maha Itihaasas, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. Notice the Ratha (chariot) of Arjuna driven by Parthasarathy, you'll find the flag of Hanuman flying high, on top of the chariot.

Hanuman is found in many forms-a peaceful one with hands folded and tail resting on the ground, as the humble devotee of SriRam, a courageous one ready for battle and with the tail upright, etc.One interesting form is the PanchaMukha Anjaneya, with 5 faces, which are for Hanuman, Hayagriva, Garuda, Varaaha and Narasimha.I have seen one temple with Him in this form-this is found 2 km before Marudhamalai in Coimbatore, and is a very good spectacle.