Editing Hanuman

{{short description|Hindu god and a companion of the god Rama}}
{{Other uses}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox deity <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hind
 mythology-->
| type = Hindu
| name = Hanuman
| image = Ravivarmapress.jpg
| caption = Hanuman showing Rama and [[Sita]] within his heart, illustration from Ravi Varma Press.
| day = {{hlist|[[Saturday]]|[[Tuesday]]}}
| god_of = God of Wisdom, Strength, Courage, Devotion and Self-Discipline<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/supplements/8thday/hanuman-a-symbol-of-unity-1502720672.html |title=Hanuman: A Symbol of Unity |website=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]] |date=21 Jan 2021 |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131003759/https://www.thestatesman.com/supplements/8thday/hanuman-a-symbol-of-unity-1502720672.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| affiliation = [[Rama]] devotee, [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]], [[Chiranjivi]], [[Vanara]], avatar of [[Shiva]] ([[Shaivism]]),<ref name="Brown 2011 p. 44">{{cite book | last=Brown | first=N.R. | title=The Mythology of Supernatural: The Signs and Symbols Behind the Popular TV Show | publisher=Penguin Publishing Group | year=2011 | isbn=978-1-101-51752-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lR_UXIkBfgC&pg=PT44 | access-date=2024-01-04 | page=44}}</ref> son and avatar of [[Vayu]] ([[Vaishnavism]]).<ref name="Williams 2008148">{{cite book | last=Williams | first=G.M. | title=Handbook of Hindu Mythology | publisher=OUP USA | series=Handbooks of world mythology | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-19-533261-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7LOZfwCDpEC&pg=PA148 | access-date=2024-01-04 | page=148}}</ref>
| abode = [[Kishkindha]]
| festivals = [[Hanuman Jayanti]]<br />[[Diwali]]
| mantra = {{IAST|Oṁ Śrī Hanumate Namaḥ}}
| parents = [[Vayu]] (spiritual father)<br />[[Kesari (Ramayana)|Kesari]] (father)
<br />[[Añjanā]] (mother)
| weapon = [[Gada (mace)]]
| texts = [[Ramayana]] and [[Versions of Ramayana|its other versions]]<br />[[Hanuman Chalisa]]<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=19aoCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT193|title=Hinduism in the Modern World|author=Brian A. Hatcher|publisher=[[Routledge]]|year=2015|isbn=978-1-135-04630-9}}</ref>
| siblings = Matiman, Shrutiman, Ketuman, Gatiman and Dhritiman (brothers)
| region = 
| member_of = [[Chiranjivi]]
}}
{{Hinduism|Deity=Hanuman}}
'''Hanuman''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|ʌ|n|ʊ|ˌ|m|ɑː|n|}}; {{langx|sa|हनुमान्}}, {{IAST3|Hanumān}}),<ref>[https://www.dictionary.com/browse/hanuman "Hanuman"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926141450/https://www.dictionary.com/browse/hanuman |date=26 September 2020 }}, ''[[Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary]]''.</ref> also known as '''Maruti''', '''Bajrangabali''', and '''Anjaneya''',<ref>{{Cite web |last=wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-16 |title=Anjaneya, Āñjaneya, Amjaneya: 9 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/anjaneya |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en |archive-date=13 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113140542/https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/anjaneya |url-status=live }}</ref> is a deity in [[Hinduism]], revered as a divine ''[[vanara]]'', and a devoted companion of the deity [[Rama]]. Central to the ''[[Ramayana]]'', Hanuman is celebrated for his unwavering devotion to Rama and is considered a ''[[chiranjivi]]''. He is traditionally believed to be the spiritual offspring of the wind deity [[Vayu]], who is said to have played a significant role in his birth.<ref name="debroy184">{{cite book|author=Bibek Debroy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=af1qFbouaVMC&pg=PA184|title=The Mahabharata: Volume 3|publisher=Penguin Books|year=2012|isbn=978-0-14-310015-7|pages=184 with footnote 686}}</ref><ref name="Melton2010p1310">{{cite book|author1=J. Gordon Melton|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v2yiyLLOj88C|title=Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, 2nd Edition|author2=Martin Baumann|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2010|isbn=978-1-59884-204-3|pages=1310–1311}}</ref> In [[Shaivism|Shaiva]] tradition, he is regarded to be an incarnation of [[Shiva]], while in most of the [[Vaishnava]] traditions he is the son and incarnation of [[Vayu]]. His tales are recounted not only in the ''[[Ramayana]]'' but also in the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and various ''[[Puranas]]''. Devotional practices centered around Hanuman were not prominent in these texts or in early archaeological evidence. His theological significance and the cultivation of a devoted following emerged roughly a millennium after the ''[[Ramayana]]'' was composed, during the second millennium CE.<ref name="Paula Richman 2010">Paula Richman (2010), ''Review: Lutgendorf, Philip's Hanuman's Tale: The Messages of a Divine Monkey'', The Journal of Asian Studies; Vol 69, Issue 4 (Nov 2010), page 32</ref>

Figures from the [[Bhakti movement]], such as [[Samarth Ramdas]], have portrayed Hanuman as an emblem of nationalism and defiance against oppression.<ref name=lele114/> According to [[Vaishnava]] tradition, the sage [[Madhvacharya]] posited that Vayu aids [[Vishnu]] in his earthly incarnations, a role akin to Hanuman's assistance to Rama.{{Sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|p=67}} In recent times, the veneration of Hanuman through iconography and temple worship has significantly increased.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p177">{{cite book|author1=Constance Jones|author2=James D. Ryan|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC|year=2006|publisher=Infobase|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5|pages=177–178|access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=20 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020070415/https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC|url-status=live}}</ref> He epitomizes the fusion of "strength, heroic initiative, and assertive excellence" with "loving, emotional devotion" to his lord Rama, embodying both [[Shakti]] and [[Bhakti]].{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pages=26–32, 116, 257–259, 388–391}} Subsequent literature has occasionally depicted him as the patron deity of martial arts, meditation, and scholarly pursuits.<ref name="Williams2008p146">{{cite book|author=George M. Williams|title=Handbook of Hindu Mythology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7LOZfwCDpEC&pg=PA146 |year=2008|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-533261-2|pages=146–148}}</ref> He is revered as an exemplar of [[Temperance (virtue)|self-control]], faith, and commitment to a cause, transcending his outward [[Vanara]] appearance.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p177"/><ref name="Lutgendorf 1997 311–332">{{cite journal | last=Lutgendorf | first=Philip | title=Monkey in the Middle: The Status of Hanuman in Popular Hinduism | journal=Religion | volume=27 | issue=4 | year=1997| doi=10.1006/reli.1997.0095 | pages=311–332}}</ref><ref name=ludvik2>{{cite book|author=Catherine Ludvik|title=Hanumān in the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki and the Rāmacaritamānasa of Tulasī Dāsa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCXQN0qoAe0C |year=1994|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-1122-5|pages=2–9}}</ref> Traditionally, Hanuman is celebrated as a lifelong [[Brahmacarya|celibate]], embodying the virtues of chastity.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p177"/>{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pages=223, 309, 320}} Hanuman's abilities are partly attributed to his lineage from [[Vayu]], symbolizing a connection with both the physical and the cosmic elements.{{Sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|p=44}}

==Names and etymology==
[[File:A Hanuman sculpture in Singapore.jpg|left|upright=0.8|thumb|Hanuman with a [[Namaste]] (Anjali Mudra) posture]]
The meaning or origin of the word "Hanuman" is unclear. In the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[pantheon (religion)|pantheon]], deities typically have many synonymous names, each based on some noble characteristic, attribute, or reminder of a deed achieved by that deity.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=31–32}} One interpretation of "Hanuman" is "one having a disfigured jaw". This version is supported by a Puranic legend wherein infant Hanuman mistakes the [[Sun]] for a fruit, heroically attempts to reach it, and is wounded in the jaw for his attempt by [[Indra]] the King of Gods.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=31–32}}

Hanuman combines two of the most cherished traits in the Hindu [[bhakti]]-[[shakti]] worship traditions: "heroic, strong, assertive excellence" and "loving, emotional devotion to personal God".{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=31–32}}

Linguistic variations of "Hanuman" include ''Hanumat'', ''Anuman'' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]), ''Hanumantha'' ([[Kannada]]), ''Hanumanthudu'' ([[Telugu language|Telugu]]). Other names include:
* ''Anjaneya'',<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/68 68]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> ''Anjaniputra'' (Kannada), ''Anjaneyar'' (Tamil), ''Anjaneyudu'' (Telugu), ''Anjanisuta'' all meaning "the son of [[Añjanā|Anjana]]"
* ''Kesari Nandana or Kesarisuta'', based on his father, which means "son of [[Kesari (Ramayana)|Kesari]]"
* ''Vayuputra/ Pavanputra'' : the son of the [[Vayu]] deva- Wind god<ref name="Claus2003p280"/>
* ''Vajrang Bali/Bajrang Bali'', "the strong one (''bali''), who had limbs (''anga'') as hard or as tough as [[vajra]] (''diamond'')"; this name is widely used in rural North India{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=31–32}}
* ''Sankata Mochana'', "the remover of dangers, hardships, or hurdles" (''sankata''){{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=31–32}}
* ''Māruti'', "son of Maruta" (another name of [[Vayu]] deva){{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=50–53}}
* ''Kapeeshwara'', "lord of monkeys."
* ''Rama Doota'', "the messenger (''doota'') of [[Rama]]"
* ''Mahakaya'', "gigantic"
* ''Vira'', ''Mahavira'', "most valiant"
* ''Mahabala/Mahabali'', "the strongest one"
* ''Vanarkulathin Thondaiman'', "descendant of the [[Vanara|Vanar]] clan" (Tamil)
* ''Panchavaktra'', "five-faced"
* ''Mukhya Prana Devaru'', "Primordial Life Giver" (more prominent amongst followers of Dvaita, such as Madhwas)

== Historical development ==
[[File:StandingHanumanCholaDynasty11thCentury.jpg|thumbnail|right|upright=0.8|Standing Hanuman, [[Chola]] Dynasty, 11th century, [[Tamil Nadu]], India]]

===Vedic roots===
The earliest mention of a divine monkey is in hymn 10.86 of the ''[[Rigveda]]'', dated to between 1500 and 1200 BCE. The twenty-three verses of the hymn are a metaphorical and riddle-filled legend. It is presented as a dialogue between multiple figures: the god [[Indra]], his wife [[Indrani]] and an energetic monkey it refers to as ''Vrisakapi'' and his wife ''Kapi''.<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/s/9c ऋग्वेद:_सूक्तं_१०.८६], Rigveda, Wikisource</ref><ref name=lutgendorf23>Philip Lutgendorf (1999), [http://www.manushi.in/docs/106.%20Like%20Mother,%20Like%20Son.pdf Like Mother, Like Son, Sita and Hanuman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929092531/http://www.manushi.in/docs/106.%20Like%20Mother,%20Like%20Son.pdf |date=29 September 2017 }}, Manushi, No. 114, pages 23–25</ref>{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=39–40}}

===Epics and Puranas===

{{Quote box
 |quote  = '''Sita's scepticism'''
<poem>
''Vanaranam naranam ca''
''kathamasit samagamah''

Translation:
How can there be a
relationship between men and monkeys?
</poem>
 |source = —''Valmiki's Ramayana'''<br />Sita's first meeting with Hanuman<br />(Translator: Philip Lutgendorf)<ref>Philip Lutgendorf (1999), [http://www.manushi.in/docs/106.%20Like%20Mother,%20Like%20Son.pdf Like Mother, Like Son, Sita and Hanuman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929092531/http://www.manushi.in/docs/106.%20Like%20Mother,%20Like%20Son.pdf |date=29 September 2017 }}, Manushi, No. 114, pp. 22–23</ref>
 |bgcolor=#FFE0BB
 |align  = right
}}
Hanuman is mentioned in both the [[Hindu epic]]s, ''[[Ramayana]]'' and ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref>{{cite book |author=Nanditha Krishna |title=Sacred Animals of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J3NU35nngxEC&pg=PA178 |year= 2010 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-306619-4 |pages=178–}}</ref>

Hanuman is mentioned in the [[Puranas]].<ref name="Parmeshwaranand">{{cite book | author=Swami Parmeshwaranand | title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas, Vol. 1 | year=2001 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nmmkM0fVS-cC&pg=PA411 | access-date=14 July 2012 | publisher=Sarup & Sons | isbn=978-81-7625-226-3 | pages=411–}}</ref><ref name="CamillePrasada2010">{{cite book |author1=Camille Bulcke |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cvE4wF-cfX0C&pg=PA117 |title=Rāmakathā and Other Essays |author2=Dineśvara Prasāda |publisher=Vani Prakashan |year=2010 |isbn=978-93-5000-107-3 |pages=117–126 |access-date=14 July 2012}}</ref> The [[Shiva Purana]] mentions Hanuman as an avatar of [[Shiva]]; all other Puranas and scriptures mention him as the spiritual son of [[Vayu]], an incarnation of Vayu, or sometimes an avatar of [[Rudra]] (another name of Vayu).<ref name="CamillePrasada2010"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W3PXAAAAMAAJ|title=The Rigveda, with Dayananda Saraswati's Commentary, Volume 1|publisher=Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha|year=1974|page=717|quote=The third meaning of Rudra is Vayu or air that causes pain to the wicked on the account of their evil actions...... Vayu or air is called Rudra as it makes a person weep causing pain as a result of bad deeds .}}</ref> Commonly, Hanuman is not related to Shiva in Vaishnava traditions but is known as Shiva's avatar or sun in Shaiva traditions.<ref>{{cite book|title=Gender Fluidity in Hindu Mythology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bk1tDwAAQBAJ|author=Devdutt Pattanaik|publisher=Penguin Random House|date=10 September 2018|page=11|isbn = 9789353052720|quote=In Vaishnava traditions, Hanuman is not related to Shiva. In Shaiva traditions, Hanuman is either Shiva's avatar or son.}}</ref>

Other texts, such as those found in South India, present Hanuman as a being who is the union of Shiva and Vishnu, or associated with the origin of [[Ayyappa]].<ref name="Williams2008p146"/> The 17th century [[Odia language|Odia]] work ''Rasavinoda'' by [[Dinakrushna Das|Dinakrishnadasa]] goes on to mention that the [[trimurti|three gods]] – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva – combined to take to the form of Hanuman.<ref name="Nagar1999">{{cite book | author=Shanti Lal Nagar | title=Genesis and evolution of the Rāma kathā in Indian art, thought, literature, and culture: from the earliest period to the modern times | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gPLqAAAAMAAJ | access-date=14 July 2012 | year=1999 | publisher=B.R. Pub. Co. | isbn=978-81-7646-082-8}}</ref>

===Late medieval and modern era===
[[File:Vittala Temple, Vijayanagara, Karnataka, India ei1180.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Numerous 14th-century and later Hanuman images are found in the ruins of the Hindu [[Vijayanagara Empire]].{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=64–71}}]]
In Valmiki's ''Ramayana'', estimated to have been composed before or in about the 3rd century BCE,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kane |first=P. V. |date=1966 |title=The Two Epics |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41694199 |journal=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute |volume=47 |issue=1/4 |pages=48 |jstor=41694199 |issn=0378-1143}}</ref> Hanuman is an important, creative figure as a simian helper and messenger for Rama. It is, however, in the late medieval era that his profile evolves into a more central role and dominance as the exemplary spiritual devotee, particularly with the popular vernacular text ''[[Ramcharitmanas]]'' by [[Tulsidas]] (~ 1575 CE).<ref name="Claus2003p280"/><ref>{{cite book|author=Catherine Ludvik|editor=F.S. Growse|title=The Rāmāyaṇa of Tulasīdāsa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5WViTwAKqzoC&pg=PA723|year=1987|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0205-6|pages=723–725}}</ref> According to scholars such as Patrick Peebles and others, during a period of religious turmoil and Islamic rule of the Indian subcontinent, the [[Bhakti movement]] and devotionalism-oriented [[Bhakti yoga]] had emerged as a major trend in Hindu culture by the 16th-century, and the ''Ramcharitmanas'' presented [[Rama]] as a Vishnu avatar, supreme being and a personal god worthy of devotion, with Hanuman as the ideal loving devotee with legendary courage, strength and powers.<ref name=lele114/><ref name=peebles100>{{cite book|author=Patrick Peebles|title=Voices of South Asia: Essential Readings from Antiquity to the Present|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2JsBgAAQBAJ |year=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-45248-5|pages=99–100}}</ref>

During this era, Hanuman evolved and emerged as the ideal combination of [[shakti]] and [[bhakti]].{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pages=26–32, 116, 257–259, 388–391}} Stories and folk traditions in and after the 17th century, began to reformulate and present Hanuman as a divine being, as a descendant of deities, and as an avatar of [[Shiva]].<ref name=peebles100/> He emerged as a champion of those religiously persecuted, expressing resistance, a yogi,{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|p=85}} an inspiration for martial artists and warriors,{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=57–64}} a character with less fur and increasingly human, symbolizing cherished virtues and internal values, and worthy of devotion in his own right.<ref name=lele114/><ref>{{cite book|author=Thomas A. Green|title=Martial Arts of the World: En Encyclopedia|year=2001|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v32oHSE5t6cC |publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-57607-150-2|pages=467–468}}</ref> This evolution of Hanuman's religious status, and his cultural role as well as his iconography, continued through the colonial era and into post-colonial times.<ref>Philip Lutgendorf (2002), Evolving a monkey: Hanuman, poster art and postcolonial anxiety, Contributions to Indian Sociology, Vol. 36, Iss. 1–2, pp. 71–112</ref>

==Legends==
===Birth===

According to Hindu legends, Hanuman was born to mother [[Añjanā|Anjana]] and father [[Kesari (Ramayana)|Kesari]].<ref name="Williams2008p146"/><ref name=Puranas>[https://books.google.com/books?id=nmmkM0fVS-cC Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas Vol 2. (D-H)] pp=628–631, Swami Parmeshwaranand, Sarup & Sons, 2001, {{ISBN|978-81-7625-226-3}}</ref> Hanuman is also called the son of the deity [[Vayu]] (Wind god) because of legends associated with Vayu's role in Hanuman's birth. He is also said to be the incarnation of [[Shiva]] (Destroyer god). One story mentioned in [[Eknath]]'s ''Bhavartha Ramayana'' (16th century CE) states that when Anjana was worshiping Vayu, the King [[Dasharatha]] of [[Ayodhya (Ramayana)|Ayodhya]] was also performing the ritual of [[Putrakameshti]] [[yagna]] in order to have children. As a result, he received some sacred pudding ([[payasam]]) to be shared by his three wives, leading to the births of [[Rama]], [[Lakshmana]], [[Bharata (Ramayana)|Bharata]] and [[Shatrughna]]. By divine ordinance, a [[Kite (bird)|kite]] snatched a fragment of that pudding and dropped it while flying over the forest where Anjana was engaged in worship. Vayu delivered the falling pudding to the outstretched hands of Anjana, who consumed it, leading to the birth of Hanuman.<ref name=Puranas/>{{verify source|date=May 2017}}

Maharshi Veda Vyasa proposed Anjanadri Hill at Tirumala is the birthplace of Hanuman. [[Anjaneri]] in [[Nashik district|Nasik]], [[Maharashtra]]{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|p=249}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Deshpande|first=Chaitanya|date=2016-04-22|title=Hanuman devotees to visit Anjaneri today|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/hanuman-devotees-to-visit-anjaneri-today/articleshow/51935825.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913144004/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/Hanuman-devotees-to-visit-Anjaneri-today/articleshow/51935825.cms|archive-date=2016-09-13|access-date=2021-04-16|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bose|first=Mrityunjay|date=2020-11-07|title=Maharashtra govt to develop Hanuman's birthplace Anjaneri|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/maharashtra-govt-to-develop-hanuman-s-birthplace-anjaneri-912617.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107164524/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/maharashtra-govt-to-develop-hanuman-s-birthplace-anjaneri-912617.html|archive-date=2020-11-07|access-date=2021-04-16|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref> along with Anjeneri Anjanadri (Near Hampi) in Gangavathi Taluk Koppal District, [[Karnataka]] is one of a number of places that claim to be the location of Kishkinda.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Malagi|first=Shivakumar G.|date=2018-12-20|title=At Hampi, fervour peaks at Hanuman's birthplace|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/201218/at-hampi-fervour-peaks-at-hanumans-birthplace.html|access-date=2020-12-04|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531132533/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/201218/at-hampi-fervour-peaks-at-hanumans-birthplace.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Anjaneya Hill|url=http://hampi.in/anjaneya-hill|access-date=2020-12-04|language=en|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531132535/http://hampi.in/anjaneya-hill|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-10-22|title=Anjeyanadri Hill {{!}} Sightseeing Hampi |url=https://www.karnataka.com/hampi/anjeyanadri-hill/|access-date=2020-12-04|website=Karnataka.com|language=en-US|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030203/https://www.karnataka.com/hampi/anjeyanadri-hill/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Childhood===
[[File:Hanuman Mistakes the Sun for a Fruit.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|left|''Child Hanuman reaches for the Sun thinking it is a fruit'' by [[Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi|BSP Pratinidhi]]]]
[[File:Indra maintains the celestial order by striking down the precocious Hanuman.jpg|thumb|Indra maintains the celestial order by striking down the precocious Hanuman]]
According to Valmiki's Ramayana, one morning in his childhood, Hanuman was hungry and saw the sun. Mistaking it for a ripe fruit, he leapt up to eat it. In one version of the Hindu legend, the king of gods [[Indra]] intervened and struck Hanuman with his thunderbolt. It hit Hanuman on his jaw, and he fell to the earth dead with a broken jaw. Hanuman's father, Vayu, became upset and withdrew all the air from Earth. The lack of air created immense suffering to all living beings. This led [[Shiva]] to intervene and resuscitate Hanuman, which in turn prompted Vayu to return air to the living beings. As the mistake was done by the god [[Indra]], he grants Hanuman a wish that his body would be as strong as Indra's [[Vajra]], and that his Vajra can also not harm him. Along with Indra other gods have also granted him wishes: the God [[Agni]] granted Hanuman a wish that fire won't harm him; God [[Varuna]] granted a wish for Hanuman that water won't harm him; God [[Vayu]] granted a wish for Hanuman that he will be as fast as wind and that the wind won't harm him. [[Brahma]] also granted Hanuman a wish that he can move to any place where he cannot be stopped. Hence these wishes make Hanuman an [[Immortality|immortal]], who has unique powers and strength.<ref>{{cite book|author=Catherine Ludvik|title=Hanumān in the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki and the Rāmacaritamānasa of Tulasī Dāsa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCXQN0qoAe0C |year=1994|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-1122-5|pages=61–62}}</ref>

In another Hindu version of his childhood legend, which is likely older and also found in [[Jainism|Jain]] texts such as the 8th-century ''Dhurtakhyana'', Hanuman's leap to the sun proves to be fatal and he is burnt to ashes from the sun's heat. His ashes fall onto the earth and oceans.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=188–189}} Gods then gather the ashes and his bones from land and, with the help of fishes, re-assemble him. They find everything except one fragment of his jawbone. His great-grandfather on his mother's side then asks [[Surya]] to restore the child to life. Surya returns him to life, but Hanuman is left with a disfigured jaw.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=188–189}} Hanuman is said to have spent his childhood in [[Kishkindha]].

Some time after this event, Hanuman begins using his supernatural powers on innocent bystanders as simple pranks, until one day he pranks a meditating sage. In fury, the sage curses Hanuman to forget the vast majority of his powers. The curse remains in effect until he is reminded of his powers in his adulthood.

=== Adulthood ===
====Ramayana====
After [[Rama]] and his brother [[Lakshmana]], searching for Rama's kidnapped wife, [[Sita]], arrive in Kishkindha, the new king, and Rama's newfound ally the monkey king [[Sugriva]], agree to send scouts in all four directions to search for Rama's missing wife. To the south, Sugriva sends Hanuman and some others, including the great bear [[Jambavan]]. This group travels all the way to the southernmost tip of India, where they encounter the ocean with the island of [[Lanka]] (said to be modern day [[Sri Lanka]]) visible in the horizon. The group wishes to investigate the island, but none can swim or jump so far (it was common for such supernatural powers to be common amongst figures in these epics). However, Jambavan knows from prior events that Hanuman used to be able to do such a feat with ease and lifts his curse.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Valmiki's Ramayana|last=Pai|first=Anant|publisher=Amar Chitra Katha|year=1978|location=India|pages=1–96}}</ref>

[[File:Hanuman then allows himself to be captured by Ravana, who sets his tail on fire; bazaar art, c.1910's.jpg|thumb|left|Ravana burns Hanuman's tail.]]
The curse lifted; Hanuman now remembers all of his dynamic divine powers. He is said to have transformed into the size of mountain and flew across the narrow channel to Lanka. Upon landing, he discovers a city populated by the Lanka king [[Ravana]] and his demon followers, so he shrinks down to the size of an ant and sneaks into the city. After searching the city, he discovers Sita in a grove, guarded by demon warriors. When they all fall asleep, he meets with Sita and discusses how he came to find her. She reveals that Ravana kidnapped her and is forcing her to marry him soon. He offers to rescue her but Sita refuses, stating that her husband must do it.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Hanuman|last=Pai|first=Anant|publisher=Amar Chitra Katha|year=1971|location=India|pages=1–32}}</ref>

What happens next differs by account, but a common tale is that after visiting Sita, he starts destroying the grove, prompting his capture. Regardless of the tale, he ends up captured in the court of Ravana himself, who laughs when Hanuman tells him that Rama is coming to take back Sita. Ravana orders his servants to light Hanuman's tail on fire as torture for threatening his safety. However, every time they put on an oil-soaked cloth to burn, he grows his tail longer so that more cloths need to be added. This continues until Ravana has had enough and orders the lighting to begin. However, when his tail is lit, he shrinks his tail back and breaks free of his bonds with his superhuman strength. He jumps out a window and jumps from rooftop to rooftop, burning down building after building, until much of the city is ablaze. Seeing this triumph, Hanuman leaves back for India.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1"/>

When he returns, he tells his scouting party what had occurred, and they rush back to Kishkindha, where Rama had been waiting all along for news. Hearing that Sita was safe and was awaiting him, Rama gathered the support of Sugriva's army and marched for Lanka. Thus begins the legendary Battle of Lanka.<ref name=":0"/>

Throughout the long battle, Hanuman played a role as a general in the army. During one intense fight, Lakshmana, Rama's brother, was fatally wounded; it was thought that he would die without the aid of a [[Sanjeevani (plant)|herb]] from a Himalayan mountain. Hanuman was the only one who could make the journey so quickly, and was thus sent to the mountain.
[[File:Image Hanuman and the healing herbs.jpg|thumb|Hanuman and the healing herb]]

Upon arriving, he discovered that there were many herbs along the mountainside, and did not want to take the wrong herb back. So instead, he grew to the size of a mountain, ripped the mountain from the Earth, and flew it back to the battle. A chunk of this mountain was said to have fallen down and the present day "Forts Purandar and Vajragad" are believed to be the fallen pieces.

In the end, Rama revealed his divine powers as the incarnation of the God Vishnu, and slew Ravana and the rest of the demon army. Finally, Rama returned to his home of Ayodhya to return to his place as king. After blessing all those who aided him in the battle with gifts, Rama gave Hanuman his gift, which Hanuman threw away. Many court officials, perplexed, were angered by this act. Hanuman replied that rather than needing a gift to remember Rama, he would always be in his heart. Some court officials, still upset, asked him for proof, and Hanuman tore open his chest, which had an image of Rama and Sita on his heart.
Now proven as a true devotee, Rama cured him and blessed him with immortality, but Hanuman refused this and asked only for a place at Rama's feet to worship him. Touched, Rama blessed him with immortality anyway. Like Shesha Nag, Hanuman would live on after the [[Kalpa (aeon)|''kalpa'']] (destruction of the universe).<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1"/>

====Mahabharata====
[[File:Bhimanjaneyula kalayika.jpg|thumb|Bhima tries to lift Hanuman's tail.]]
Centuries after the events of the Ramayana, and during the events of the Mahabharata, Hanuman is now a nearly forgotten demigod living his life in a forest. After some time, his spiritual brother through the god [[Vayu]], [[Bhima]], passes through looking for flowers for his [[Draupadi|wife]]. Hanuman senses this and decides to teach him a lesson, as Bhima had been known to be boastful of his superhuman strength (at this point in time supernatural powers were much rarer than in the Ramayana but still seen in the Hindu epics). Bhima encountered Hanuman lying on the ground in the shape of a feeble old monkey. He asked Hanuman to move, but he would not. As stepping over an individual was considered extremely disrespectful in this time, Hanuman suggested lifting his tail up to create a passage. Bhima heartily accepted, but could not lift the tail to any avail.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Bheema and Hanuman|last=Chandrakant|first=Kamala|publisher=Amar Chitra Katha|year=1980|location=India|pages=1–32}}</ref>

Bhima, humbled, realized that the frail monkey was some sort of deity, and asked him to reveal himself. Hanuman revealed himself, much to Bhima's surprise, and the brothers embraced. Hanuman prophesied that Bhima would soon be a part of [[Kurukshetra War|a terrible war]], and promised Bhima that he would sit on the flag of his brother Arjuna's chariot and shout a battle cry for Bhima that would weaken the hearts of his enemies. Content, Hanuman left his brother to his search.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

==Attributes==
[[File:Hanuman fetches the herb-bearing mountain, in a print from the Ravi Varma Press, 1910's.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Hanuman fetches the [[Sanjeevani (plant)|herb-bearing]] mountain, in a print from the Ravi Varma Press, 1910s]]

Hanuman has many attributes, including:
* ''[[Chiranjivi]]'' (immortal): various versions of ''Ramayana'' and ''Rama Katha'' state towards their end, just before Rama and Lakshmana die, that Hanuman is blessed to be immortal. He will be a part of humanity forever, while the story of Rama lives on and the story will go on as the gods recite the story always. Thus, he will live forever.<ref>{{cite book|author=Joginder Narula|title=Hanuman, God and Epic Hero: The Origin and Growth of Hanuman in Indian Literary and Folk Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k-5jAAAAMAAJ|year=1991|publisher=Manohar Publications|isbn=978-81-85054-84-1|pages=19–21}}</ref>
* ''[[Brahmacharya|Brahmachari]]'' (self-controlled): one who control their lust from all materialistic things of material world.<ref name=":3" />
* ''Kurūp'' and ''Sundar'': he is described in Hindu texts as ''kurūp'' (ugly) on the outside, but divinely ''sundar'' (beautiful inside).{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=188–189}} The [[Hanuman Chalisa]] describes him as handsome with a complexion of molten gold (''kanchana barana birāja subesā'').<ref>{{cite book|title=Mahaviri: Hanuman Chalisa Demystified|author=Nityananda Misra|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018}}</ref>
* ''Kama-rupin'': He can shapeshift, become smaller than the smallest, larger than the largest adversary at will.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=45–47, 287}} He uses this attribute to shrink and enter Lanka, as he searches for the kidnapped Sita imprisoned in Lanka. Later on, he takes on the size of a mountain, blazing with radiance, to show his true power to Sita.<ref>Goldman, Robert P. (Introduction, translation and annotation) (1996). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=sFmsrEszbxgC The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume V: Sundarakanda]''. Princeton University Press, New Jersey. 0691066620. pp. 45–47.</ref>
* ''Strength'': Hanuman is extraordinarily strong, one capable of lifting and carrying any burden for a cause. He is called ''Vira'', ''Mahavira'', ''Mahabala'' and other names signifying this attribute of his. During the epic war between Rama and Ravana, Rama's brother Lakshmana is wounded. He can only be healed and his death prevented by a herb found in a particular Himalayan mountain. Hanuman leaps and finds the mountain. There, states ''Ramayana'', Hanuman finds the mountain is full of many herbs. He doesn't know which one to take. So, he lifts the entire Himalayan mountain and carries it across India to Lanka for Lakshmana. His immense strength thus helps Lakshmana recover from his wound.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=6, 44–45, 205–210}} This legend is the popular basis for the iconography where he is shown flying and carrying a mountain on his palm.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|p=61}}
* ''Innovative'': Hanuman is described as someone who constantly faces very difficult odds, where the adversary or circumstances threaten his mission with certain defeat and his very existence. Yet he finds an innovative way to turn the odds. For example, after he finds Sita, delivers Rama's message, and persuades her that he is indeed Rama's true messenger, he is discovered by the prison guards. They arrest Hanuman, and under Ravana's orders take him to a public execution. There, Ravana's guards begin his torture by tying his tail with oiled cloth and setting it on fire. Hanuman then leaps from one palace rooftop to another, burning everything down in the process.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=140–141, 201}}
* ''Bhakti'': Hanuman is presented as the exemplary devotee (''bhakta'') of Rama and Sita. The Hindu texts such as the ''Bhagavata Purana'', the ''Bhakta Mala'', the ''Ananda Ramayana'' and the ''Ramacharitmanas'' present him as someone who is talented, strong, brave and spiritually devoted to [[Rama]].<ref name="ludvik12">{{cite book|author=Catherine Ludvik|title=Hanumān in the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki and the Rāmacaritamānasa of Tulasī Dāsa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCXQN0qoAe0C |year=1994|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-1122-5|pages=12–14}}</ref> The Rama stories such as the ''Ramayana'' and the ''Ramacharitmanas'', in turn themselves, present the Hindu [[dharma|dharmic]] concept of the ideal, virtuous and compassionate man (Rama) and woman (Sita) thereby providing the context for attributes assigned therein for Hanuman.<ref>{{cite book|author=A Kapoor|editor=Gilbert Pollet|title=Indian Epic Values: Rāmāyaṇa and Its Impact|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EVnK3q48dL0C&pg=PA181 |year=1995|publisher=Peeters Publishers|isbn=978-90-6831-701-5|pages=181–186}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Roderick Hindery|title=Comparative Ethics in Hindu and Buddhist Traditions |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=-FswBLvTkvQC&pg=PA100|year =1978|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn= 978-81-208-0866-9|pages=100–107}}</ref>
* ''Learned Yogi'': In the late medieval texts and thereafter, such as those by [[Tulasidas]], attributes of Hanuman include learned in [[Vedanta]] philosophy of Hinduism, the [[Vedas]], a poet, a polymath, a grammarian, a singer and musician par excellence.<ref name="ludvik12" /><ref name="Williams2008p146" />
* ''Remover of obstacles'': in devotional literature, Hanuman is the remover of difficulties.<ref name="ludvik12" />
* ''Healer of diseases, pains and sorrows:'' Heals all kinds of diseases, pains and sorrows of devotees.
* ''Slayer of demons, evil and negative energies:'' Hanuman is offered worship to rid of negative influences, such as ghosts, evil spirits and ill-intentioned humans.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wolcott |first=Leonard T. |date=1978 |title=Hanumān: The Power-Dispensing Monkey in North Indian Folk Religion |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/2054368 |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |volume=37 |issue=4 |pages=653–661 |doi=10.2307/2054368 |jstor=2054368 |s2cid=162908060 |issn=0021-9118 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> The following names of Hanuman describe some of these qualities, ''Rakshovidhwansakaraka, Akshahantre, Dashagreevakulantaka, Lankineebhanjana, Simhikaprana Bhanjana, Maharavanamardana, Kalanemi Pramathana.''
* ''Protector and saviour of devotees of Shri Ram and himself:'' The doorkeeper and protector of the door to Rama's court, and protector and saviour of devotees.
* ''[[Panchamukha|Five-faced or Panchamukha]] when he assumes his fierce form:'' East facing Hanuman face (Anjaneya) that grants purity of mind and success. South facing man-lion face [[Narasimha]] that West facing [[Garuda]] face, north facing Boar face [[Varaha]] and horse face ([[Hayagriva]]) facing towards the sky (upwards).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lutgendorf |first=Philip |date=2001 |title=Five Heads and No Tale: Hanumān and the Popularization of Tantra |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20106778 |journal=International Journal of Hindu Studies |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=269–296 |doi=10.1007/s11407-001-0003-3 |jstor=20106778 |issn=1022-4556}}</ref>

== Texts ==
===Hinduism===

==== Ramayana ====
[[File:Hanuman finds Sita in the ashoka grove, and shows her Rama's ring.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Hanuman finds Sita in the [[Ashoka Vatika|Ashoka grove]], and delivers her Rama's ring.]]

The [[Sundara Kanda]], the fifth book in the Ramayana, focuses on Hanuman. Hanuman meets [[Rama]] in the last year of the latter's 14-year exile, after the demon king Ravana had kidnapped Sita. With his brother [[Lakshmana]], Rama is searching for his wife [[Sita]]. This, and related Rama legends are the most extensive stories about Hanuman.<ref>{{cite book|author=Catherine Ludvik|editor=F.S. Growse|title=The Rāmāyaṇa of Tulasīdāsa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5WViTwAKqzoC&pg=PA723|year=1987|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0205-6|pages=723–728}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Catherine Ludvik|title=Hanumān in the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki and the Rāmacaritamānasa of Tulasī Dāsa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCXQN0qoAe0C |year=1994|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-1122-5|pages=1–16}}</ref>

Numerous versions of the ''Ramayana'' exist within India. These present variant legends of Hanuman, Rama, Sita, Lakshamana and Ravana. The figures and their descriptions vary, in some cases quite significantly.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Peter J. Claus|author2=Sarah Diamond|author3=Margaret Ann Mills|title=South Asian Folklore: An Encyclopedia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=au_Vk2VYyrkC |year=2003|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-93919-5|pages=509–511}}</ref>

====Mahabharata====
[[File:Hanuman statue and shrine. South of Chennai.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Roadside Hanuman shrine south of [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]].]]
The ''Mahabharata'' is another major epic which has a short mention of Hanuman. In Book 3, the Vana Parva of the ''Mahabharata'', he is presented as a half-brother of [[Bhima]], who meets him accidentally on his way to Mount Kailasha. A man of extraordinary strength, Bhima is unable to move Hanuman's tail, making him realize and acknowledge the strength of Hanuman. This story attests to the ancient chronology of Hanuman. It is also a part of artwork and reliefs such as those at the Vijayanagara ruins.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Dallapiccola | first1=A.L. | last2=Verghese | first2=Anila | title=Narrative Reliefs of Bhima and Purushamriga at Vijayanagara | journal=South Asian Studies | volume=18 | issue=1 | year=2002 | doi=10.1080/02666030.2002.9628609 | pages=73–76| s2cid=191646631 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=J. A. B. van Buitenen|title=The Mahabharata, Vol. 2: Book 2: The Book of Assembly; Book 3: The Book of the Forest|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2QG_ZgsM13IC&pg=PA371|year=1973|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-84664-4|pages=180, 371, 501–505}}</ref>

=== Other literature ===
Apart from Ramayana and Mahabharata, Hanuman is mentioned in several other texts. Some of these stories add to his adventures mentioned in the earlier epics, while others tell alternative stories of his life. The ''[[Skanda Purana]]'' mentions Hanuman in [[Rameswaram]].<ref name="Eck1991">{{cite book | author=Diana L. Eck | title=Devotion divine: Bhakti traditions from the regions of India : studies in honour of Charlotte Vaudeville | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uz0qAAAAYAAJ | access-date=14 July 2012 | year=1991 | publisher=Egbert Forsten | isbn=978-90-6980-045-5 | page = 63}}</ref>

In a South Indian version of ''[[Shiva Purana]]'', Hanuman is described as the son of Shiva and [[Mohini]] (the female avatar of Vishnu), or alternatively he has been linked to or merged with the origin of Swami [[Ayyappa]] who is popular in parts of South India.<ref name="Williams2008p146"/>

In the ''[[Muktikā|Muktikā Upanishad]]'' Hanuman is in dialogue with [[Rama]] about the subject of [[moksha]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Deussen |first=Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XYepeIGUY0gC&q=telugu&pg=PA725 |title=Sixty Upanishads of the Veda |year= 1997 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1467-7 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Hanuman Chalisa ====
The 16th-century Indian poet [[Tulsidas]] wrote ''[[Hanuman Chalisa]]'', a devotional song dedicated to Hanuman. He claimed to have visions where he met face to face with Hanuman. Based on these meetings, he wrote ''[[Ramcharitmanas]]'', an [[Awadhi language]] version of Ramayana.<ref name="Ludvík1994">{{cite book | author=Catherine Ludvík | title=Hanumān in the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki and the Rāmacaritamānasa of Tulasī Dāsa | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCXQN0qoAe0C&pg=PA164 | access-date=14 July 2012 | year=1994 | publisher=Motilal Banarasidas publ. | isbn=978-81-208-1122-5 | pages=164–}}</ref>

====Relation with Devi or Shakti====
The relation between Hanuman and the goddess [[Kali]] finds mention in the ''[[Krittivasi Ramayan]]a''. Their meeting takes place in the [[Yuddha Kanda]] of this ''Ramayana'', in the legend of [[Mahiravana]]. Mahiravana is stated to be the king of the [[Patala]] (netherworld) and a trusted friend/brother of Ravana. After his son, [[Indrajit]]a, was killed, Ravana sought Mahiravana's help to kill [[Rama]] and [[Lakshmana]]. One night, Mahiravana, using his ''maya'', took Vibhishana's form and entered Rama's camp. He cast the ''nidra mantra'' (sleeping spell) on the vanara army, kidnapped Rama and Lakshmana, and took them to Patala to sacrifice them to Devi, as per Ravana's suggestion. Hanuman learnt the way to Patala from [[Vibhishana]] and made haste to rescue his lords. On his journey, he met [[Makaradhwaja|Makardhwaja]], who claimed of being Hanuman's son. Hanuman defeated and tied him, and went inside the palace. He met Chandrasena, who told about the sacrifice and the way to kill Mahiravana. Hanuman shrunk his size to that of a bee and came across a huge [[Murti|idol]] of Kali. After being prayed to, the goddess agreed to help Hanuman rescue the brothers, allowing him to take her place while she slipped below. When Mahiravana asked the brothers to bow, they refused, claiming not to know how to perform the act. As Mahiravana decided to demonstrate, Hanuman assumed his ''[[panchamukha]]'' (five-faced) form (manifesting the additional heads of Garuda, Narasimha, Varaha, and Hayagriva), blowing the five oil lamps present in the chamber in the five cardinal directions. He severed the head of Mahiravana, thus killing him. He carried Rama and Lakshmana upon his shoulders to return them to their camp, before which he released and crowned Makaradhvaja the king of Patala. The story of Ahiravan finds its place in the Ramayanas of the east. It can be found in the Bengali version of the Ramayana, written by Krittibash, in the passage known as ''Mahirabonerpala''. It is believed that Kali, pleased with Hanuman, blessed him to be her ''[[dvarapala]]'' (gatekeeper).<ref>Mystery of Hanuman  Inspiring Tales from Art and Mythology –The Story of Ahiravan Vadh – Hanuman Saves Lord</ref>

=== Buddhism ===
Hanuman appears in [[Tibetan Buddhism]] (southwest China) and [[Kingdom of Khotan|Khotanese]] (west China, central Asia and northern Iran) versions of Ramayana. The Khotanese versions have a [[Jātaka]] tales-like theme but are generally similar to the Hindu texts in the storyline of Hanuman. The Tibetan version is more embellished, and without attempts to reference the Jātakas. Also, in the Tibetan version, novel elements appear such as Hanuman carrying love letters between Rama and Sita, in addition to the Hindu version wherein Rama sends the wedding ring with him as a message to Sita. Further, in the Tibetan version, Rama chides Hanuman for not corresponding with him through letters more often, implying that the monkey-messenger and warrior is a learned being who can read and write.<ref name=whitfield212>{{cite book|author1=Susan Whitfield|author-link=Susan Whitfield|author2=Ursula Sims-Williams|title=The Silk Road: Trade, Travel, War and Faith|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ArWLD4Qop38C&pg=PA212 |year=2004|publisher=Serindia Publications |isbn=978-1-932476-13-2|page=212}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=J. L. Brockington|title=Righteous Rāma: The Evolution of an Epic|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-QFkAAAAMAAJ|year=1985|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-815463-1|pages=264–267, 283–284, 300–303, 312 with footnotes}}</ref>

[[File:Hie Shrine Saru-gami.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|In Japan, icons of the divine monkey (Saruta Biko), guarding temples such as Saru-gami at [[Hie Shrine]].{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=353–354}}<ref name=ohnuki42>{{cite book|author=Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney|title=The Monkey as Mirror: Symbolic Transformations in Japanese History and Ritual|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gBKI6BKx0sYC&pg=PA42 |year=1989|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-0-691-02846-0|pages=42–54}}</ref>]]
In the Sri Lankan versions of Ramayana, which are titled after Ravana, the story is less melodramatic than the Indian stories. Many of the legends recounting Hanuman's bravery and innovative ability are found in the Sinhala versions. The stories in which the figures are involved have Buddhist themes, and lack the embedded ethics and values structure according to Hindu dharma.<ref name="Holt2005">{{cite book|author=John C. Holt|title=The Buddhist Visnu: Religious Transformation, Politics, and Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HYUqsYbLP6QC |year=2005|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-50814-8|pages=138–140}}</ref> According to Hera Walker, some Sinhalese communities seek the aid of Hanuman through prayers to his mother.<ref>{{cite book|author=Hera S. Walker|title=Indigenous Or Foreign?: A Look at the Origins of the Monkey Hero Sun Wukong, Sino-Platonic Papers, Issues 81–87|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ulxkAAAAMAAJ|year= 1998|publisher= University of Pennsylvania|page= 45}}</ref> In Chinese Buddhist texts, states Arthur Cotterall, myths mention the meeting of the Buddha with Hanuman, as well as Hanuman's great triumphs.<ref>{{cite book|author=Arthur Cotterall|title=The Pimlico Dictionary of Classical Mythologies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0TvCkXvnV6EC&pg=PT45|year=2012|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-1-4481-2996-6|page=45}}</ref> According to Rosalind Lefeber, the arrival of Hanuman in East Asian Buddhist texts may trace its roots to the translation of the Ramayana into Chinese and Tibetan in the 6th-century CE.<ref>{{cite book|author=Rosalind Lefeber|title=The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India-Kiskindhakanda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BJMWT0ZJYHAC&pg=PA30 |year=1994|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-0-691-06661-5|pages=29–31}}</ref>

In both China and Japan, much like in India, there is a lack of a radical divide between humans and animals, with all living beings and nature assumed to be related to humans. There is no exaltation of humans over animals or nature, unlike the Western traditions. A divine monkey has been a part of the historic literature and culture of China and Japan, possibly influenced by the close cultural contact through Buddhist monks and pilgrimage to India over two millennia.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=353–354}} For example, the Japanese text ''Keiranshuyoshu'', while presenting its mythology about a divine monkey, that is the theriomorphic [[Shinto]] emblem of [[Hie Shrine|Hie]] shrines, describes a flying white monkey that carries a mountain from India to China, then from China to Japan.<ref>{{cite book|author=Richard Karl Payne|title=Re-Visioning "Kamakura" Buddhism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w5nJT5NYvn4C&pg=PA65| year= 1998|publisher= University of Hawaii Press|isbn= 978-0-8248-2078-7|pages=65–66}}</ref> This story is based on a passage in the Ramayana where the wounded hero asks Hanuman to bring a certain herbal medicine from the Himalayas. As Hanuman does not know the herb he brings the entire mountain for the hero to choose from. By that time a learned medicine man from Lanka discovered the cure and Hanuman brings the mountain back to where he got it from.
Many Japanese [[Shinto]] shrines and village boundaries, dated from the 8th to the 14th centuries, feature a monkey deity as guardian or intermediary between humans and gods (kami).{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=353–354}}<ref name=ohnuki42/>

The Jātaka tales contain Hanuman-like stories.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=38–41}} For example, the Buddha is described as a monkey-king in one of his earlier births in the ''Mahakapi Jātaka'', wherein he as a compassionate monkey suffers and is abused, but who nevertheless continues to follow [[dharma]] in helping a human being who is lost and in danger.<ref>{{cite book|author=Peter D. Hershock|title=Buddhism in the Public Sphere: Reorienting Global Interdependence|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N_2SAgAAQBAJ |year=2006|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-98674-2|page=18}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Reiko Ohnuma|title=Unfortunate Destiny: Animals in the Indian Buddhist Imagination|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ci7ADgAAQBAJ |year=2017|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-063755-2|pages=80–81}}</ref>

Various scholars have suggested that Hanuman may have influenced the conception of [[Sun WuKong|Sun Wukong]], the central figure in the Chinese epic ''[[Journey to the West]]''.<ref name="hanuman">Wendy Doniger, [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hanuman Hanuman: Hindu mythology] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415082224/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hanuman|date=15 April 2022}}, Encyclopaedia Britannica; For a summary of the Chinese text, see [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Xiyouji Xiyouji: Novel by Wu Cheng'En]</ref><ref>H. S. Walker (1998), [https://telugustotram.com/wp-content/uploads/files/indegenous_foreign_monkey_sun_wukong_.pdf Indigenous or Foreign? A Look at the Origins of the Monkey Hero Sun Wukong], Sino-Platonic Papers, No. 81. September 1998, Editor: [[Victor H. Mair]], University of Pennsylvania</ref>

=== Jainism ===
{{main|Rama in Jainism|Salakapurusa}}

''Paumacariya'' (also known as ''Pauma Chariu'' or ''Padmacharit''), the [[Jainism|Jain]] version of Ramayana written by Vimalasuri, mentions Hanuman not as a divine monkey, but as a [[Vidyadhara]] (a supernatural being, demigod in Jain cosmology). He is the son of Pavangati (wind deity) and [[Añjanā|Anjana]] Sundari. Anjana gives birth to Hanuman in a forest cave, after being banished by her in-laws. Her maternal uncle rescues her from the forest; while boarding his [[vimana]], Anjana accidentally drops her baby on a rock. However, the baby remains uninjured while the rock is shattered. The baby is raised in Hanuruha, thus receiving the name "Hanuman."

There are major differences from the Hindu text: Hanuman is a supernatural being in Jain texts, Rama is a pious Jaina who never kills anyone, and it is Lakshamana who kills Ravana. Hanuman becomes a supporter of Rama after meeting him and learning about [[Sita]]'s kidnapping by Ravana. He goes to [[Lanka]] on Rama's behalf but is unable to convince Ravana to give up Sita. Ultimately, he joins Rama in the war against Ravana and performs several heroic deeds.

Later Jain texts, such as ''[[Uttarapurana]]'' (9th century CE) by Gunabhadra and ''Anjana-Pavananjaya'' (12th century CE), tell the same story.

In several versions of the Jain ''Ramayana'' story, there are passages that explain the connection of Hanuman and Rama (called Pauma in Jainism). Hanuman, in these versions, ultimately renounces all social life to become a Jain ascetic.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=50–53}}

=== Sikhism ===
In [[Sikhism]], the Hindu god Rama has been referred to as Sri Ram Chandar, and the story of Hanuman as a ''[[siddha]]'' has been influential. After the birth of the martial Sikh [[Khalsa]] movement in 1699, during the 18th and 19th centuries, Hanuman was an inspiration and object of reverence by the Khalsa.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} Some Khalsa regiments brought along the Hanuman image to the battleground. The Sikh texts such as ''Hanuman Natak'' composed by Hirda Ram Bhalla, and ''Das Gur Katha'' by Kavi Kankan describe the heroic deeds of Hanuman.<ref>{{cite book|author=Louis E. Fenech|title=The Sikh Zafar-namah of Guru Gobind Singh: A Discursive Blade in the Heart of the Mughal Empire|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aUUfAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA149| year=2013|publisher= Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-993145-3|pages=149–150 with note 28}}</ref> According to Louis Fenech, the Sikh tradition states that [[Guru Gobind Singh]] was a fond reader of the ''Hanuman Natak'' text.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

During the colonial era, in Sikh [[Seminary|seminaries]] in what is now [[Pakistan]], Sikh teachers were called ''bhai'', and they were required to study the ''Hanuman Natak'', the Hanuman story containing ''Ramcharitmanas'' and other texts, all of which were available in Gurmukhi script.<ref>{{cite book|author1=John Stratton Hawley|author2=Gurinder Singh Mann|title=Studying the Sikhs: Issues for North America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fWJGAECpClsC&pg=PA98 |year=1993|publisher=State University of New York Press|isbn=978-0-7914-1426-2|pages=98–99}}</ref>

[[Bhagat Kabir]], a prominent writer of the scripture explicitly states that Hanuman does not know the full glory of the divine. This statement is in the context of the Divine as being unlimited and ever expanding. Ananta is therefore a name of the divine. In [[Sanskrit]], ''anta'' means "end". The prefix ''-an'' is added to create the word ''Ananta'' (meaning "without end" or "unlimited").

{{blockquote
|1=
ਹਨੂਮਾਨ ਸਰਿ ਗਰੁੜ ਸਮਾਨਾਂ
Hanūmān sar garuṛ samānāŉ.

Beings like Hanumaan, Garura,

ਸੁਰਪਤਿ ਨਰਪਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਗੁਨ ਜਾਨਾਂ
Surpaṯ narpaṯ nahī gun jānāŉ.

Indra the King of the gods and the rulers of humans – none of them know Your Glories, Lord.
|2=Sri Guru Granth Sahib page 691}}

=== Southeast Asian texts ===
[[File:Statue of Hanuman with a yoni (14th century), Singapore Pinacothèque De Paris - 20160410.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|A [[Majapahit]] statue of Hanuman with a yoni (andesite; 14th century) from [[East Java]], [[Indonesia]]]]
There exist non-Indian versions of the ''Ramayana'', such as the Thai ''[[Ramakien]].'' According to these [[Versions of Ramayana|versions of the ''Ramayana'']], [[Macchanu]] is the son of Hanuman borne by Suvannamaccha, daughter of [[Ravana]].

Another legend says that a demigod named Matsyaraja (also known as [[Makardhwaja]] or Matsyagarbha) claimed to be his son. Matsyaraja's birth is explained as follows: a fish (''matsya'') was impregnated by the drops of Hanuman's sweat, while he was bathing in the ocean.<ref name="CamillePrasada2010"/>

Hanuman in southeast Asian texts differs from the north Indian Hindu version in various ways in the Burmese Ramayana, such as ''Rama Yagan'', ''Alaung Rama Thagyin'' (in the Arakanese dialect), ''Rama Vatthu'' and ''Rama Thagyin'', the Malay Ramayana, such as ''Hikayat Sri Rama'' and ''Hikayat Maharaja Ravana'', and the Thai Ramayana, such as ''Ramakien''. However, in some cases, the aspects of the story are similar to Hindu versions and Buddhist versions of Ramayana found elsewhere on the Indian subcontinent.

==Significance and influence==
[[Image:Hanuman HYC 20181014.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Hanuman [[murti]] seated in meditation in [[Lotus position|lotus asana]]]]
Hanuman became more important in the medieval period and came to be portrayed as the ideal devotee ([[bhakti|bhakta]]) of Rama.<ref name="CamillePrasada2010"/> Hanuman's life, devotion, and strength inspired wrestlers in India.<ref name="Pattanaik2000">{{cite book | author=Devdutt Pattanaik | title=The Goddess in India: The Five Faces of the Eternal Feminine | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rjL3ogbdJNkC&pg=PA71 | access-date=18 July 2012 | date=1 September 2000 | publisher=Inner Traditions * Bear & Company | isbn=978-0-89281-807-5 | page=71}}</ref>

Devotionalism to Hanuman and his theological significance emerged long after the composition of the ''Ramayana'', in the 2nd millennium CE. His prominence grew after the arrival of Islamic rule in the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref name="Paula Richman 2010"/> He is viewed as the ideal combination of shakti ("strength, heroic initiative and assertive excellence") and bhakti ("loving, emotional devotion to his personal god Rama").{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pages=26–32, 116, 257–259, 388–391}} Beyond wrestlers, he has been the patron god of other martial arts. He is stated to be a gifted grammarian, meditating yogi and diligent scholar. He exemplifies the human excellences of temperance, faith and service to a cause.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p177"/><ref name="Lutgendorf 1997 311–332"/><ref name=ludvik2/>

{{Quote box
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 |source = – [[Tulsidas]], ''Ramcharitmanas 7.120.14''<ref>{{cite journal | last=Lutgendorf | first=Philip | title=Monkey in the Middle: The Status of Hanuman in Popular Hinduism | journal=Religion | volume=27 | issue=4 | year=1997 | doi=10.1006/reli.1997.0095 | page=311}}</ref>
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In 17th-century north and western regions of India, Hanuman emerged as an expression of resistance and dedication against Islamic persecution. For example, the bhakti poet-saint [[Samarth Ramdas|Ramdas]] presented Hanuman as a symbol of Marathi nationalism and resistance to Mughal Empire.<ref name=lele114>{{cite book|author=Jayant Lele|title=Tradition and Modernity in Bhakti Movements|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kLs3AAAAIAAJ |year=1981|publisher=Brill Academic|isbn=978-90-04-06370-9|pages=114–116}}</ref>

Hanuman in the colonial and post-colonial era has been a cultural icon, as a symbolic ideal combination of [[shakti]] and [[bhakti]], as a right of Hindu people to express and pursue their forms of spirituality and religious beliefs ([[dharma]]).{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pages=26–32, 116, 257–259, 388–391}}<ref>Philip Lutgendorf (2002), Evolving a monkey: Hanuman, poster art and postcolonial anxiety, Contributions to Indian Sociology, Vol 36, Issue 1–2, pages 71–110</ref> Political and religious organizations have named themselves after him or his synonyms such as ''Bajrang''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Christophe Jaffrelot|title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XAO3i_gS61wC|year=2010|publisher=Primus Books|isbn=978-93-80607-04-7|page=183 note 4|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=7 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207082453/https://books.google.com/books?id=XAO3i_gS61wC|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Pinch1996">{{cite book |author=William R. Pinch |url=https://archive.org/details/peasantsmonksinb0000pinc |title=Peasants and Monks in British India |publisher=University of California Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-520-91630-2 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/peasantsmonksinb0000pinc/page/27 27]–28, 64, 158–159 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="Sarvepalli Gopal 1993 41–46, 135–137">{{cite book |author=Sarvepalli Gopal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=47AARF595dUC |title=Anatomy of a Confrontation: Ayodhya and the Rise of Communal Politics in India |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=1993 |isbn=978-1-85649-050-4 |pages=41–46, 135–137}}</ref> Political parades or religious processions have featured men dressed up as Hanuman, along with women dressed up as ''[[gopi]]s'' (milkmaids) of god Krishna, as an expression of their pride and right to their heritage, culture and religious beliefs.<ref>{{cite book|author=Christophe Jaffrelot|title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XAO3i_gS61wC|year=2010|publisher=Primus Books|isbn=978-93-80607-04-7|pages=332, 389–391|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=7 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207082453/https://books.google.com/books?id=XAO3i_gS61wC|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Daromir Rudnyckyj|author2=Filippo Osella|title=Religion and the Morality of the Market|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MV5EDgAAQBAJ |year=2017|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-18605-7|pages=75–82}}</ref> According to some scholars, the Hanuman-linked youth organizations have tended to have a paramilitary wing and have opposed other religions, with a mission of resisting the "evil eyes of Islam, Christianity and Communism", or as a symbol of Hindu nationalism.<ref>{{cite book|author=Pathik Pathak|title=Future of Multicultural Britain: Confronting the Progressive Dilemma: Confronting the Progressive Dilemma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6QarBgAAQBAJ |year=2008|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|isbn=978-0-7486-3546-7|page=18}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Chetan Bhatt|title=Hindu nationalism: origins, ideologies and modern myths|url=https://archive.org/details/hindunationalism00chet|url-access=registration|year=2001|publisher=Berg|isbn=978-1-85973-343-1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hindunationalism00chet/page/180 180]–192}}</ref>

==Iconography==
{{expand section|date=June 2017}}
<gallery mode="slideshow" showfilename="yes" caption="The variation in iconography depicting Hanuman carrying the Sanjeevani mountain">
File:Hanuman Brings the Gandhamardhana Mountain odisha tala patra.jpg
File:Hanuman returns with sanjeevani mountain for laxmana's life.jpg
File:Hanuman fetches the herb-bearing mountain, in a print from the Ravi Varma Press, 1910's.jpg
File:Hanuman Carrying the Mountain of Medicinal Herbs (left); Rama Battles Ravana (right), Architectural Panel with Ramayana (Adventures of Rama) Scenes LACMA M.89.159.1 (6 of 6).jpg
File:Hanuman Herb Mountain.jpg
File:Hanuman bringing the mountain to the injured Lakshmana Wellcome L0022499.jpg
</gallery>
{{CSS image crop|Image=11TH Rudra Shiva Hanuman.jpg|bSize=250|cWidth=184|cHeight=190|oTop=30|oLeft=30|Description=[[Panchamukha|Five-faced or Panchamukhi]] Hanuman: Hanuman face, man-lion face, Garuda face, Boar face, Horse face.  It is found in esoteric tantric traditions that weave Vaishvana and Shaiva ideas, and is relatively uncommon.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Lutgendorf | first=Philip | title=Five heads and no tale: Hanumān and the popularization of Tantra | journal=International Journal of Hindu Studies | volume=5 | issue=3 | year=2001 | doi=10.1007/s11407-001-0003-3 | pages=269–296| s2cid=144825928 }}</ref>{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=319, 380–388}}}}

The earliest known sculptures of Hanuman date from the Gupta Empire ca. 500 CE.  In these very early representations, Hanuman is not yet shown as a sole figure. Free standing ''murtis'' or statues of Hanuman appeared from ca. 700 CE. onwards. These murtis portrayed Hanuman with one hand raised, one foot suppressing a demon, and an erect tail.{{Sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=59-61}}  In later centuries his raised hand was sometimes shown supporting a mountain of healing herbs.<ref>[https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/37960 Hanuman Bearing the Mountaintop with Medicinal Herbs] New York Metropolitan Museum. Ca. 1800. Retrieved April 6, 2024.</ref>

Hanuman's iconography is derived from Valmiki's ''Ramayana.'' He is usually portrayed with other central figures of the Ramayana – Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. He carries weapons such as a [[gada (mace)]] and thunderbolt (''vajra'').<ref name="Williams2008p146" /><ref>{{cite book|author=T. A. Gopinatha Rao|title=Elements of Hindu iconography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MJD-KresBwIC |year=1993|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0878-2|pages=58, 190–194}}</ref>

His iconography and temples are common today. He is typically shown with Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, near or in Vaishnavism temples, as well as by himself usually opening his chest to symbolically show images of Rama and Sita near his heart. He is also popular among the followers of [[Shaivism]].<ref name="JonesRyan2006p177"/>

In north India, an iconic representation of Hanuman such as a round stone has been in use by [[yogi]]s, as a means to help focus on the abstract aspects of him.<ref>{{cite book|author=David N. Lorenzen|title=Bhakti Religion in North India: Community Identity and Political Action|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rpSxJg_ehnIC |year=1995|publisher=State University of New York Press|isbn=978-0-7914-2025-6|page=271}}</ref>

==Temples and shrines==
<!-- "Temple of Hanuman" redirects here. Please fix that redirect if changing this section name. -->
[[File:Hanuman-vijayawada-paritala.jpg|thumb|200px|41 meters (135 ft) high Hanuman monument at Paritala, [[Andhra Pradesh]]]]
[[File:Punchamukhi Hanuman Temple 1.jpg|thumb|[[Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple]] in [[Karachi]], Pakistan is the only temple in the world which has a natural statue of Hanuman]]
[[File:The green Hanuman statue in Batu Caves (1).jpg|thumb|The green Hanuman statue in Batu Caves, Malaysia]]
Hanuman is often worshipped along with Rama and Sita of [[Vaishnavism]], and sometimes independently of them.<ref name="Claus2003p280">{{cite book|author1=Peter J. Claus|author2=Sarah Diamond|author3=Margaret Ann Mills|title=South Asian Folklore: An Encyclopedia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=au_Vk2VYyrkC&pg=PA280 |year=2003|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-93919-5|pages=280–281}}</ref> There are numerous statues to celebrate and temples to worship Hanuman all over India. Vanamali says, "[[Vaishnavite]]s or followers of [[Vishnu]], believe that the wind god [[Vayu]] underwent three incarnations to help Vishnu. As Hanuman he helped [[Rama]], as [[Bhima]], he assisted [[Krishna]], and as [[Madhvacharya]] (1238–1317) he founded the Vaishnava sect called [[Dvaita]]".{{Sfn|Vanamali|2010|p=14}} [[Shaivism|Shaivites]] claim him as an avatar of [[Shiva]].<ref name="Claus2003p280"/> Lutgendorf writes, "The later identification of Hanuman as one of the eleven rudras may reflect a [[Shaiva]] sectarian claim on an increasing popular god, it also suggests his kinship with, and hence potential control over, a class of awesome and ambivalent deities". Lutgendorf also writes, "Other skills in Hanuman's resume also seem to derive in part from his windy patrimony, reflecting [[Vayu]]'s role in both body and cosmos".{{Sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|p=67}} According to a review by Lutgendorf, some scholars state that the earliest Hanuman [[murti]]s appeared in the 8th century, but verifiable evidence of Hanuman images and inscriptions appear in the 10th century in Indian monasteries in central and north India.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|p=60}}
[[File:Wall Carvings at Undavalli Caves.jpg|thumb|Wall carvings depicting the worship of Hanuman at [[Undavalli Caves]] in [[Guntur District]].]]
Tuesday and Saturday of every week are particularly popular days at Hanuman temples. Some people keep a partial or full fast on either of those two days and remember Hanuman and the theology he represents to them.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=11–12, 101}}

Major temples and shrines of Hanuman include:
* The oldest known independent Hanuman temple and statue is at [[Khajuraho]], dated to about 922 CE from the [[Khajuraho Hanuman inscription]].<ref>Reports of a Tour in Bundelkhand and Rewa in 1883–84, and of a Tour in Rewa, Bundelkhand, Malwa, and Gwalior, in 1884–85, Alexander Cunningham, 1885</ref>{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=59–60}}
* [[Hanumangarhi, Ayodhya]], is a 10th-century temple dedicated to Hanuman.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hanuman Garhi|url=http://www.uptourism.gov.in/post/hanuman-garhi|access-date=2020-07-28|website=www.uptourism.gov.in|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728155251/http://www.uptourism.gov.in/post/hanuman-garhi|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple]] is a 1,500-year-old temple in Pakistan. It is located in Soldier Bazaar in [[Karachi]], [[Pakistan]]. The temple is highly venerated by Pakistani Hindus as it is the only temple in the world which has a natural statue of Hanuman that is not man-made ([[Swayambhu]]).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Five historical Hindu temples of Pakistan|url=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/five-historical-hindu-temples-of-pakistan-33163|access-date=2020-12-04|website=WION|date=17 February 2018 |language=en|archive-date=23 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123101658/https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/five-historical-hindu-temples-of-pakistan-33163|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Academy|first=Himalayan|title=Hinduism Today Magazine|url=https://www.hinduismtoday.com/|access-date=2020-12-04|website=www.hinduismtoday.com|language=en|archive-date=6 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506123703/https://www.hinduismtoday.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Jakhu temple]] in [[Shimla]], Himachal Pradesh contains a monumental 108-foot (33-metre) statue of Hanuman  and is the highest point in Shimla.<ref>''The Indian Express'', [[Chandigarh]], Tuesday, 2 November 2010, p. 5.</ref>
* The tallest Hanuman statue is the [[Paritala Anjaneya Temple|Veera Abhaya Anjaneya Swami]], standing 135 feet tall at Paritala, 32&nbsp;km from [[Vijayawada]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]], installed in 2003.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007}}
* [[Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh|Chitrakoot]] in Madhya Pradesh features the Hanuman Dhara temple, which features a panchmukhi statue of Hanuman. It is located inside a forest, and it along with Ramghat that is a few kilometers away, are significant Hindu pilgrimage sites.<ref>{{cite book|author=Swati Mitra|title=Temples of Madhya Pradesh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=THW_OkoTuE4C&pg=PA41|year=2012|publisher=Eicher Goodearth and Government of Madhya Pradesh|isbn=978-93-80262-49-9|page=41}}</ref>
* The Peshwa era rulers in 18th century city of [[Pune]] provided endowments to more Hanuman temples than to temples of other deities such as Shiva, [[Ganesh]] or [[Vitthal]]. Even in present time there are more Hanuman temples in the city and the district than of other deities.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=239, 24}}
* One of the major temples of Hanuman is [[Hanuman temple, Salangpur|Hanuman Temple Salangpur]] in based in [[Salangpur, Gujarat|Salangpur]], [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Raymond Brady Williams |url=https://archive.org/details/introductiontosw0000will |title=An introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-521-65422-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/introductiontosw0000will/page/128 128] |quote=hanuman sarangpur. |access-date=14 May 2009 |url-access=registration}} Page 128</ref> There is also a statue of Hanuman which is 54&nbsp;ft tall.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amit Shah Unveils 54-Feet-Tall Statue Of Lord Hanuman At Gujarat Temple |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amit-shah-unveils-54-feet-tall-statue-of-lord-hanuman-at-gujarat-temple-3926616 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
[[File:Ramlila artists.jpg|thumb|left|In India, the annual autumn season Ramlila play features Hanuman, enacted during Navratri by rural artists (above).]]
* Outside India, a major Hanuman statue has been built by Tamil Hindus near the Batu caves in Malaysia, and an {{convert|85|ft|m|0|adj=on}} Karya Siddhi Hanuman statue by colonial era Hindu indentured workers' descendants at [[Carapichaima]] in [[Trinidad and Tobago]]. Another Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple has been built in [[Frisco, Texas]] in the United States.<ref>[https://www.dallasnews.com/news/frisco/2015/08/06/new-hindu-temple-serves-friscos-growing-asian-indian-population New Hindu temple serves Frisco's growing Asian Indian population] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028043624/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/frisco/2015/08/06/new-hindu-temple-serves-friscos-growing-asian-indian-population |date=28 October 2017 }}, Dallas Morning News, 6 August 2015</ref> In 2024, another Hanuman statue was inaugurated in Texas with the name [[Statue of Union]], which is now the fourth-tallest statue in the US.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-21 |title=90-ft Hanuman Statue of Union unveiled in Texas, 3rd tallest in US |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/90-ft-hanuman-statue-of-union-unveiled-in-texas-3rd-tallest-in-us/articleshow/112663661.cms |access-date=2024-09-04 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

===Festivals and celebrations===
Hanuman is a central figure in the annual [[Ramlila]] celebrations in India, and seasonal dramatic arts in southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand; and Bali and Java, Indonesia. Ramlila is a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic ''[[Ramayana]]'' or secondary literature based on it such as the ''[[Ramcharitmanas]]''.<ref name=":3">{{cite book |author=James G. Lochtefeld |url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-8239-2287-1 |pages=271–272 |url-access=registration}}</ref> It particularly refers to the thousands<ref name="SchechnerHess51">{{cite journal | last1=Schechner | first1=Richard | last2=Hess | first2=Linda | title=The Ramlila of Ramnagar [India] | journal=The Drama Review | volume=21 | issue=3 | year=1977 | pages=51–82 | doi=10.2307/1145152 | jstor=1145152 }}</ref> of dramatic plays and dance events that are staged during the annual autumn festival of [[Navratri]] in India.<ref>{{cite web | title=Navratri – Hindu festival | author=Encyclopedia Britannica | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Navratri | year=2015 | access-date=28 May 2017 | archive-date=22 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222124136/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Navratri | url-status=live }}</ref> Hanuman is featured in many parts of the folk-enacted play of the legendary war between Good and Evil, with the celebrations climaxing in [[Vijayadashami]].<ref name=unescodussehra>[http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/RL/ramlila-the-traditional-performance-of-the-ramayana-00110 Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131032510/http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/RL/ramlila-the-traditional-performance-of-the-ramayana-00110 |date=31 January 2017 }}, UNESCO</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Sv7Uk0UcdM8C Ramlila] ''Pop Culture India!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle'', by Asha Kasbekar. Published by ABC-CLIO, 2006. {{ISBN|1-85109-636-1}}. ''Page 42''.</ref>

The Ramlila festivities were declared by UNESCO as one of the "Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity" in 2008. Ramlila is particularly notable in the historically important Hindu cities of [[Ayodhya]], [[Varanasi]], [[Vrindavan]], [[Almora]], [[Satna]] and [[Madhubani district|Madhubani]] – cities in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.<ref name=unescodussehra/>

Hanuman's birthday is observed by some Hindus as [[Hanuman Jayanti]]. It falls in much of India in the traditional month of Chaitra in the [[lunisolar]] [[Hindu calendar]], which overlaps with March and April. However, in parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Hanuman Jayanti is observed in the regional Hindu month of Mārgaḻi, which overlaps with December and January. The festive day is observed with devotees gathering at Hanuman temples before sunrise, and day long spiritual recitations and story reading about the victory of good over evil.<ref name="Melton2010p1310"/>

== Hanuman in Southeast Asia ==
=== Cambodia ===
[[File:L'exposition "Angkor - la naissance d'un mythe" (musée Guimet) (11804234493).jpg|thumb|right|Cambodian depiction of Hanuman at Angkor Wat. Rama is standing on top of Hanuman in the middle of the mural.]]
Hanuman is a revered heroic figure in Khmer history in southeast Asia. He features predominantly in the [[Reamker]], a Cambodian epic poem, based on the [[Sanskrit]] [[Itihasa]] Ramayana epic.<ref>Toni Shapiro-Phim, [http://asiasociety.org/education/reamker Reamker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129212016/http://asiasociety.org/education/reamker |date=29 November 2016 }}, The Cambodian Version of Ramayana, Asia Society</ref> Intricate carvings on the walls of Angkor Wat depict scenes from the Ramayana including those of Hanuman.<ref>{{Cite journal|jstor = 25212421|title = Reamker (Rāmakerti), the Cambodian Version of the Rāmāyaṇa. A Review Article|journal = Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland|issue = 1|pages = 122–129|last1 = Marrison|first1 = G. E|year = 1989|volume = 121|doi = 10.1017/S0035869X00167917| s2cid=161831703 }}</ref>

In Cambodia and many other parts of southeast Asia, mask dance and shadow theatre arts celebrate Hanuman with Ream (same as Rama of India). Hanuman is represented by a white mask.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jukka O. Miettinen|title=Classical Dance and Theatre in South-East Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GD3YAAAAMAAJ |year=1992|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-588595-8|pages=120–122}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Leakthina Chau-Pech Ollier|author2=Tim Winter|title=Expressions of Cambodia: The Politics of Tradition, Identity and Change|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vs98AgAAQBAJ |year=2006|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-17196-5|pages=140–141}}</ref> Particularly popular in southeast Asian theatre are Hanuman's accomplishments as a martial artist ''Ramayana''.<ref>{{cite book|author1=James R. Brandon|author2=Martin Banham|title=The Cambridge Guide to Asian Theatre|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ttnH5W9qoBAC |year=1997|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-58822-5|pages=236–237}}</ref>

=== Indonesia ===
[[File:Statue-IMG 4662.JPG|thumb|Hanuman statue at [[Bali]], [[Indonesia]]]]
Hanuman ([[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]: ''Hanoman'' or ''Anoman'' ) is the central figure in many of the historic dance and drama art works such as [[Wayang Wong]] found in [[Javanese people|Javanese culture]], [[Indonesia]]. These performance arts can be traced to at least the 10th century.<ref>{{cite book|author=Margarete Merkle|title=Bali: Magical Dances|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QgQcmPUrO_wC&pg=PA43|year=2012|publisher=epubli|isbn=978-3-8442-3298-1|pages=42–43}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He has been popular, along with the local versions of ''Ramayana'' in other islands of Indonesia such as Java.<ref>J. Kats (1927), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/606956 The Rāmāyana in Indonesia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126000638/https://www.jstor.org/stable/606956 |date=26 January 2021 }}, Bulletin of the School of Oriental Studies, Cambridge University Press, Vol. 4, No. 3 (1927), pp. 579–585</ref><ref>Malini Saran (2005), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/23005981 The Ramayana in Indonesia: alternate tellings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215225013/https://www.jstor.org/stable/23005981 |date=15 December 2018 }}, India International Centre Quarterly, Vol. 31, No. 4 (SPRING 2005), pp. 66–82</ref>

[[File:Relief on Prambanan - Hanuman meeting Sita, Pentas Ramajana, p33.jpg|thumb|Hanuman relief in [[Prambanan]] temple, Indonesia]]
In major medieval era Hindu temples, archeological sites and manuscripts discovered in Indonesian and Malay islands, Hanuman features prominently along with Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Vishvamitra and Sugriva.<ref>{{cite book|author=Willem Frederik Stutterheim|title=Rāma-legends and Rāma-reliefs in Indonesia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OoitUqGk8PAC |year=1989|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-251-2|pages=xvii, 5–16 (Indonesia), 17–21 (Malaysia), 34–37}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Marijke Klokke|title=Archaeology: Indonesian Perspective : R.P. Soejono's Festschrift|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dSFfD0dpdS4C |year=2006|publisher=Yayasan Obor Indonesia|isbn=978-979-26-2499-1|pages=391–399}}</ref> The most studied and detailed [[relief]] artworks are found in the [[Candi of Indonesia|Candi]]s [[Panataran]] and [[Prambanan]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Andrea Acri|author2=H.M. Creese|author3=A. Griffiths|title=From Lanka Eastwards: The Ramayana in the Literature and Visual Arts of Indonesia |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=LXdhAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA209 |year=2010|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=978-90-04-25376-6|pages=197–203, 209–213}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Moertjipto|title=The Ramayana Reliefs of Prambanan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hd3VAAAAMAAJ|year=1991|publisher=Penerbit Kanisius|isbn=978-979-413-720-8|pages=40–42}}</ref>

Hanuman, along with other figures of the ''[[Ramayana]]'', are an important source of plays and dance theatre repertoire at [[Odalan]] celebrations and other festivals in Bali.<ref>{{cite book|author=Hildred Geertz|title=The Life of a Balinese Temple: Artistry, Imagination, and History in a Peasant Village|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JbrPXcurKxAC |year=2004|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-2533-1|pages=154–165}}</ref>

====Wayang story====
[[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangfiguur voorstellende de apenkoning Hanuman TMnr 15-954-41.jpg|thumb|Hanuman [[wayang]] (puppetry) in [[Indonesian culture]]]]
Hanoman in [[Javanese people|Javanese]] [[wayang]] is the son of [[Batara Guru]] who became the disciple and adopted son of [[Vayu|Batara Bayu]]. Hanoman himself is a cross-generational figure from the time of [[Rama]] to the time of [[Jayabaya]]. [[Anjani]] is the eldest daughter of Rishi Gotama who is cursed so that she has the face of an [[ape]]. On the orders of his father, he was imprisoned naked in the lake Madirda. Once upon a time, Batara Guru and [[Narada|Batara Narada]] flew across the sky. When he saw Anjani, Batara Guru was so amazed that he released semen. The king of the puppet gods rubbed it with tamarind leaves and threw it into the lake. The sinom leaf fell on Anjani's lap. She also picked it up and ate it until she became pregnant. When it was time to give birth, Anjani was assisted by the angels sent by Batara Guru. She gave birth to a baby monkey with white hair, while herself again had a beautiful face and was taken to heaven as an angel.

The baby, in the form of a white monkey, which is Anjani's son, was taken by Batara Bayu and adopted as a child. After completing his education, Hanoman returned to the world and served his uncle, Sugriwa, the monkey king of Kiskenda Cave. At that time, Sugriwa had just been defeated by his brother, Subali, another uncle of Hanoman. Hanoman managed to meet Rama and Laksmana, a pair of princes from Ayodhya who were undergoing exile. The two then work together with Sugriwa to defeat Subali, and together attack the land of [[Lanka|Alengka]] to free Sita, Rama's wife who was kidnapped by Rahwana, Subali's disciple.

Hanoman infiltrates the Alengka palace to investigate Ravana's power and witness Sita's plight. There he made such a mess that he was caught and burned. Instead, Hanoman actually managed to burn parts of the capital city of Alengka. This event is known as Hanuman Obong. After Hanoman returned to Rama's place, the monkey army set out to attack Alengka. Hanoman appears as a hero who kills many Alengka troops, for example Surpanaka (Sarpakenaka) [[Ravana]]'s younger brother. In the final battle between Rama and Ravana, he was overwhelmed with his Aji Pancasu, the ability to live eternally. Every time Rama's weapon killed Ravana, immediately Ravana rose again. Wibisana, Ravana's sister who sided with Rama immediately asked Hanoman to help. Hanoman also lifted Mount Ungaran to fall on top of Ravana's corpse when Ravana had just died at the hands of Rama for the umpteenth time. Seeing Hanuman's impudence, Rama also punished him to guard Ravana's grave. Rama believes that Ravana is still alive under the crush of the mountain, and at any time can release his spirit to wreak havoc in the world.

Several years later after Rama died, Ravana's spirit escaped from Mount Pati and went to [[Sumatra Island]] to seek the reincarnation of Sita, namely [[Subhadra]], Krishna's sister. [[Krishna]] himself is the reincarnation of Rama. Hanoman chases and meets Bima, his younger brother and Bayu's adopted son. Hanuman then served Krishna. He also managed to capture the spirit of Ravana and imprisoned him in Mount Kendalisada. On the mountain Hanoman acts as a hermit.

Unlike the original version, Hanoman in the wayang has two children. The first is named Trigangga who is in the form of a white ape like himself. It is said that when he came home from burning Alengka, Hanoman had the image of Trijata's face, Wibisana's daughter, who took care of Sita. Over the ocean, Hanuman's semen fell and caused the seawater to boil. Unbeknownst to him, Baruna created the foam into Trigangga. Trigangga immediately grew up and met Bukbis, the son of Ravana. The two are friends and sided with Alengka against Rama. In the war Trigangga managed to kidnap Rama and Laksmana but was chased by Hanoman. Narada came down to intervene and explained the blood relationship between the two white monkeys. Finally, Trigangga turned against Ravana.

Hanuman's second son was named Purwaganti, who had only appeared in the Pandavas era. He was credited with finding Yudhisthira's lost heirloom named Kalimasada. Purwaganti was born to a priest's daughter whom Hanoman married, named Purwati. Hanuman lived so long that he was tired of living. [[Narada]] descends to grant his wish, which is to die, as long as he can complete the final task, which is to reconcile the six descendants of Arjuna who are involved in a civil war. Hanoman disguised himself as Resi Mayangkara and succeeded in marrying Astradarma, son of Sariwahana, to Pramesti, daughter of Jayabaya. The Sariwahana family and Jayabaya were involved in a dispute even though they were both descendants of Arjuna. Hanoman then appeared to face Jayabaya's enemy named Yaksadewa, the king of Selahuma. In that war, Hanuman died, moksha with his body, while Yaksadewa returned to his original form, namely [[Batara Kala]], the god of death.<ref>{{citation| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=26z0DwAAQBAJ&q=hanoman+wayang| author= Pitoyo Amrih| title= Hanoman, Akhir bisu sebuah perang besar| year= 2014| publisher= Pitoyo Ebook| access-date= 19 March 2023| archive-date= 11 April 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230411052751/https://books.google.com/books?id=26z0DwAAQBAJ&q=hanoman+wayang| url-status= live}}</ref>

=== Thailand ===
[[File:Hanuman1.jpg|thumb|Thai iconography of Hanuman. He is one of the most popular figures in the ''[[Ramakien]]''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Paula Richman|title=Many Rāmāyaṇas: The Diversity of a Narrative Tradition in South Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XkifYfljHP4C |year=1991|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-07589-4|pages=38–39}}</ref>]]
Hanuman plays a significantly more prominent role in the ''Ramakien''.<ref>Amolwan Kiriwat (1997), [https://library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/KiriwatAX2001.pdf KHON: MASKED DANCE DRAMA OF THE THAI EPIC RAMAKIEN] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052338/http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/kiriwatax2001.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428042259/http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/KiriwatAX2001.pdf |archive-date=2011-04-28 |url-status=live |date=4 March 2016 }}, University of Maine, Advisor: Sandra Hardy, pages 3–4, 7</ref> In contrast to the strict devoted lifestyle to Rama of his Indian counterpart, Hanuman is known in Thailand as a promiscuous and flirtatious figure.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Planet |first1=Lonely |last2=Isalska |first2=Anita |last3=Bewer |first3=Tim |last4=Brash |first4=Celeste |last5=Bush |first5=Austin |last6=Eimer |first6=David |last7=Harper |first7=Damian |last8=Symington |first8=Andy |title=Lonely Planet Thailand |date=2018 |publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=978-1-78701-926-3 |page=112 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cEljDwAAQBAJ |access-date=1 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref> One famous episode of the ''Ramakien'' has him fall in love with the mermaid [[Suvannamaccha]] and fathering [[Macchanu]] with her. In another, Hanuman takes on the form of Ravana and sleeps with [[Mandodari]], Ravana's consort, thus destroying her chastity, which was the last protection for Ravana's life.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|p=211}}

As in the Indian tradition, Hanuman is the patron of martial arts and an example of courage, fortitude and excellence in Thailand.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Tony Moore|author2=Tim Mousel|title=Muay Thai|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9IDf4dW99QYC&pg=PA67|year=2008|publisher=New Holland|isbn=978-1-84773-151-7|pages=66–67}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He is depicted as wearing a crown on his head and [[armor]]. He is depicted as an albino with a strong character, open mouth, and sometimes is shown carrying a trident.

Hanuman is the mascot of [[2009 Asian Martial Arts Games|the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games]] in [[Bangkok]], Thailand.

==Lineage==
Though Hanuman is described to be celibate in the [[Ramayana]] and most of the Puranas, according to some regional sources, Hanuman married Suvarchala, the daughter of [[Surya]] (Sun-God).<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/hanuman-was-married-to-whom/45648| title=Wives Of Hanuman| access-date=3 January 2020| archive-date=3 January 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103061233/https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/hanuman-was-married-to-whom/45648| url-status=live}}</ref>

However, once Hanuman was flying above the seas to go to [[Lanka]], a drop of his sweat fell in the mouth of a crocodile, which eventually turned into a baby. The monkey baby was delivered by the crocodile, who was soon retrieved by [[Ahiravana]], and raised by him, named [[Makardhwaja]], and made the guard of the gates of Patala, the former's kingdom. One day, Hanuman, when going to save [[Rama]] and [[Lakshmana]] from Ahiravana, faced Makardhwaja and defeated him in combat. Later, after knowing the reality and after saving him, he made his son the king of Patala.

The [[Jethwa]] clan claims to be a descendant of Makardhwaja, and, according to them, he had a son named Modh-dhwaja, who in turn had a son named Jeth-dhwaja, hence the name of the clan.

==In popular culture==
While Hanuman is a quintessential character of any movie on [[Ramayana]], Hanuman-centric movies have also been produced with Hanuman as the central character. In 1976 the [[Bajrangbali (film)|first biopic movie]] on Hanuman in Hindi was released with wrestler [[Dara Singh]] playing the role of Hanuman. He again reprised the character in [[Ramanand Sagar]]'s television series [[Ramayan (1987 TV series)|Ramayan]] and [[B. R. Chopra]]'s [[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|Mahabharat]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-30|title=Did you know how Dara Singh was chosen for the role of Hanuman in Ramayan?|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/did-you-know-how-dara-singh-was-chosen-for-the-role-of-hanuman-in-ramayan/22814246|access-date=2020-06-14|website=mid-day|language=en|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614112421/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/did-you-know-how-dara-singh-was-chosen-for-the-role-of-hanuman-in-ramayan/22814246|url-status=live}}</ref> The TV series [[Jai Hanuman (1997 TV series)|Jai Hanuman]] was released in 1997 on Doordarshan.

In 2005 an animated movie [[Hanuman (2005 film)|of the same name]] was released and was extremely popular among children. Actor [[Mukesh Khanna]] voiced the character of Hanuman in the film.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2005-10-21|title=Hanuman: the journey of a mythical superhero|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/hanuman-the-journey-of-a-mythical-superhero-228121.html|access-date=2020-06-14|website=News18|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614090548/https://www.news18.com/news/india/hanuman-the-journey-of-a-mythical-superhero-228121.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following this several series of movies featuring the god were produced, though all of them were animated, prominent ones being the Bal Hanuman series 2006–2012. Another movie, Maruti Mera dost, (2009) was a contemporary adaptation of Hanuman in modern times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://in.bookmyshow.com/entertainment/movies/5-bollywood-movies-hanuman|title=5 Bollywood Movies About Hanuman|date=2017-06-02|website=BookMyShow|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-29|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329140101/https://in.bookmyshow.com/entertainment/movies/5-bollywood-movies-hanuman|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2015 Bollywood movie [[Bajrangi Bhaijaan]] had [[Salman Khan]] playing the role of Pawan Kumar Chaturvedi, who is an ardent Hanuman devotee and regularly invokes him for his protection, courage, and strength.<ref>{{Citation|title=Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bajrangi_bhaijaan|language=en|access-date=2019-03-19|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201092610/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bajrangi_bhaijaan/|url-status=live}}</ref>

US president [[Barack Obama]] had a habit of carrying with him a few small items given to him by people he had met. The items included a small figurine of Hanuman.<ref>{{cite news |title=Revealed: Obama always carries Hanuman statuette in pocket |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Revealed-Obama-always-carries-Hanuman-statuette-in-pocket/article14001552.ece |access-date=8 April 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=16 January 2016 |language=en-IN |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414074305/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Revealed-Obama-always-carries-Hanuman-statuette-in-pocket/article14001552.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/ox6LidnmbPM Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160116012625/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox6LidnmbPM Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |title=Obama Reveals Lucky Charms During Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox6LidnmbPM |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=8 April 2021 |language=en |date=16 January 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Hanuman was referenced in the 2018 [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] film, [[Black Panther (film)|''Black Panther'']] and its 2022 sequel ''[[Black Panther: Wakanda Forever]]'', which are set in the fictional African nation of [[Wakanda]]; the Jabari tribe often is seen saying ''Glory to "Hanuman" '' as the tribe worships its ancestral gorilla deity. The reference was removed from the film in theatre screenings in India. But the uncensored part came out later on digital streaming platforms in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/03/12/what-india-can-learn-from-black-panther |title=What India can learn from 'Black Panther' |author=Amish Tripathi |date=12 March 2018 |website=washingtonpost.com |access-date=17 May 2018 |archive-date=19 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519032349/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/03/12/what-india-can-learn-from-black-panther/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://comicbook.com/marvel/2018/02/21/black-panther-censored-in-india |title='Black Panther' Movie Had a Word Censored in India |author=Nicole Drum |date=20 February 2018 |website=comicbook.com |access-date=17 May 2018 |archive-date=18 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518054935/http://comicbook.com/marvel/2018/02/21/black-panther-censored-in-india |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Mexican acoustic-metal duo, [[Rodrigo Y Gabriela]] released a hit single named "Hanuman" from their album [[11:11 (Rodrigo y Gabriela album)|''11:11'']]. Each song on the album was made to pay tribute to a different musician that inspired the band, and the song Hanuman is dedicated to [[Carlos Santana]]. Why the band used the name Hanuman is unclear, but the artists have stated that Santana "was a role model for musicians back in Mexico that it was possible to do great music and be an international musician."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Rodrigo y Gabriela: Fusing Flamenco And Metal|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113658095|access-date=2020-09-21|website=NPR.org|language=en|archive-date=28 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828005110/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113658095|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hanuman is the protagonist in the 2022 film ''Hanuman White Monkey'', a fantasy film that combines special effects with a ''[[Khon]]'' (Thai masked pantomime) performance style.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221108015929988|title=White Monkey' Khon performance film to hit cinemas on December 5|date=2022-11-08|access-date=2022-12-05|work=NNT|archive-date=5 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205121851/https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221108015929988|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2022  action-adventure ''[[Ram Setu (film)|Ram Setu]]'', it is implied that the character "AP" is actually Hanuman.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Samrat |first1=Ujjwal |title=Who is AP in Ram Setu? |url=https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/who-is-ap-in-ram-setu-human-avatar-of-lord-hanuman-in-akshay-kumars-adventuredrama |website=True Scoop News |access-date=16 January 2023 |language=en |date=24 December 2022 |archive-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116110040/https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/who-is-ap-in-ram-setu-human-avatar-of-lord-hanuman-in-akshay-kumars-adventuredrama |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, Telugu film director Prasanth Varma directed the film ''[[Hanu-Man]]'', a superhero film based on Hanuman's power. The film's sequel, ''[[Hanu-Man#Future|Jai Hanuman]]'', is set to be released during the [[Sankranti]] of 2025 and would directly show Hanuman keeping his promise to Rama.

== Literature ==
The Sapta Chiranjivi Stotram is a mantra that is featured in [[Hindu texts|Hindu literature]]:

{{Blockquote|text=अश्वत्थामा बलिर्व्यासो हनुमांश्च विभीषण:।<br>कृप: परशुरामश्च सप्तैतै चिरञ्जीविन:॥<br>सप्तैतान् संस्मरेन्नित्यं मार्कण्डेयमथाष्टमम्।<br>जीवेद्वर्षशतं सोपि सर्वव्याधिविवर्जितः॥

aśvatthāmā balirvyāsō hanumāṁśca vibhīṣaṇaḥ।<br>kṛpaḥ paraśurāmaśca saptaitai cirañjīvinaḥ॥<br>saptaitān saṁsmarēnnityaṁ mārkaṇḍēyamathāṣṭamam।<br>jīvēdvarṣaśataṁ sopi sarvavyādhivivarjitaḥ॥|title=Sapta Chiranjivi Stotram}}

The mantra states that the remembrance of the eight immortals ([[Ashwatthama]], [[Mahabali]], [[Vyasa]], Hanuman, [[Vibhishana]], [[Kripa]], [[Parashurama]], and [[Markandeya]]) offers one freedom from ailments and longevity.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Hanuman temples|Hanuman temples]]
* [[Vayu Stuti]]
* [[Hanuman Chalisa]]
* [[Hanuman Jayanti]]
* [[Hanumanasana]], an [[asana]] named after Hanuman
* ''[[The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. the Monster Army]]''
* ''[[Hanuman and the Five Riders]]''
* [[Gray langur]], also known as the Hanuman langur
* [[Sun Wukong]], a Chinese literary character in [[Wu Cheng'en]]'s masterpiece ''[[Journey to the West]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book|last=Claus|first=Peter J.|author2=Sarah Diamond |author3=Margaret Ann Mills |title=South Asian folklore|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2003|pages=280–281|chapter=Hanuman|isbn=978-0-415-93919-5|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=au_Vk2VYyrkC&pg=PA280}}
* {{cite book | first=Philip |last=Lutgendorf | title=Hanuman's Tale: The Messages of a Divine Monkey | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fVFC2Nx-LP8C&pg=PA31 | access-date=14 July 2012 | year= 2007 | publisher=Oxford University Press | isbn=978-0-19-530921-8 }}
* {{cite book|title=Hanuman: The Devotion and Power of the Monkey God|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t10oDwAAQBAJ|last=Vanamali|first=V|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2010|isbn=978-1-59477-914-5}}
* Sri Ramakrishna Math (1985): ''Hanuman Chalisa''. Chennai (India): Sri Ramakrishna Math. {{ISBN|81-7120-086-9}}.
* ''Mahabharata'' (1992). Gorakhpur (India): Gitapress.
* ''Anand Ramayan'' (1999). Bareily (India): Rashtriya Sanskriti Sansthan.
* Swami Satyananda Sarawati: ''Hanuman Puja''. India: Devi Mandir. {{ISBN|1-887472-91-6}}.
* ''The Ramayana'' Smt. Kamala Subramaniam. Published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (1995). {{ISBN|81-7276-406-5}}
* ''Hanuman – In Art, Culture, Thought and Literature'' by Shanti Lal Nagar (1995). {{ISBN|81-7076-075-5}}

{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|author= Catherine Ludvik|title= Hanumān in the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki and the Rāmacaritamānasa of Tulasī Dāsa|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=KCXQN0qoAe0C |year= 1994|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-1122-5}}
* {{cite book|author=Helen M. Johnson |title= Hanumat's birth and Varuṇa's subjection (Chapter III of the Jain Ramayana by Hemachandra)|url= https://www.wisdomlib.org/jainism/book/trishashti-shalaka-purusha-caritra/d/doc214005.html |year= 1931|publisher=Baroda Oriental Institute}}
* {{cite book | first=Philip |last=Lutgendorf | title=Hanuman's Tale: The Messages of a Divine Monkey | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fVFC2Nx-LP8C | year= 2007 | publisher=Oxford University Press | isbn=978-0-19-530921-8 |ref=none}}
* {{cite book|author1=Robert Goldman|author2=Sally Goldman|title=The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India. Volume V: Sundarakāṇḍa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mGseItRDAc8C |year=2006|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-3166-7}}
* Vanamali, Mataji Devi (2010). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=j5qFlxXSS48C Hanuman: The Devotion and Power of the Monkey God]'' Inner Traditions, USA. {{ISBN|1-59477-337-8}}.

==External links==
{{Wikisource|Hanuman|Hanuman}}{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category|Hanuman}}
* [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hanuman Hanuman] at ''Encyclopædia Britannica''

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[[Category:Hanuman| ]]
[[Category:Chiranjivins]]
[[Category:Animals in Hinduism]]
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