Hanuman also known as Anjaneya, Maruti and Bajrangbali is becoming popular in India. Gigantic statues of Hanuman are appearing in every state of India. The statues are up to 150 foot tall. Hanuman is the Superman of India. He has done all adventures that we read in western comics such as Superman, Spiderman, Phantom etc. North Indians are so devoted to Bajrang Bali that they may even consider this title ‘superman’ offensive. Hanuman is super God for millions. Hanuman Chalisa by Tulsidas is recited by millions every day.
Indians consider war as a heroic action. Soldiers are praised and the Hindu epics and ancient Sangam Tamil literature categorically say that that soldiers go straight to heaven when they die and Indra is waiting to receive them in the heaven. But this is heroism. Soldiers are heroes. But there is another category of heroes who are called Great (est) Heroes and in Sanskrit they are called Mahavira. Those who won all the five senses fall under this category. India knew TWO MAHAVIRS who have won over their five senses: Mahavira Anjaneya and Mahavir, the 24[SUP]th[/SUP] Thirthankara of Jains. Heores are in millions. But Mahavirs are few in number. When Alexander commanded a Hindu ascetic to follow him, he refused. When Alexander said to him that he would kill him if he did not obey, he was laughing saying that soul cannot be killed, only the body can be killed. This is Mahavira. I have already written about it in my post the Naked Hindu Sadhus with Alexander.
Talking about the Hanuman statues one temple stands out unique in applying modern technology to Hindu Gods. Hanuman’s devotion to Lord Rama and his wife Sita is proverbial. Hindus believe that his every hair will say Rama even if it is fallen from his body. Hindus believe that Rama and Sita live in his heart for ever and he is immortal (Chiranjeevi). Ramayana has this episode of him opening and showing Rama and Sita in his heart.
Innovative Hindus have installed a huge hanuman statue (108ft high) in Karol Bhag area of Delhi. No one can miss this enormous orange colour Hanuman. It is a rare sight amidst the chaotic Delhi road traffic with metro trains running behind. It was installed in 2007. It is an architectural and engineering marvel. Lakhs of devotees visit this temple. Devotees can see Rama and Sita coming out of Hanuman’s heart when he opens it with his two hands. When he does it, the loud speakers announce Jai Shri Ram. Devotees are also repeating it. The statue is operated by an automatic electronic system.
To give the structure a strong foundation, the idol has been placed 30 feet under the surface. The statue houses a four storey temple which has darbars of Shri Ram, Vaishno Devi, Sai Baba, Lord Shankar and an underground cave complete with water.
Devotees offer Sesame seeds, Mustard oil, Black Gram (Urad Dhal), Jaggery (Gur), Black cloth, symbolic knife, earthern lamps, iron in different forms and flowers and fruits. This Karol Bagh is named as Shri Sankat Mochan Dham.
Please read earlier posts:
நாமும் அனுமார் ஆகலாம்(Tamil)
நிர்வாண சாமியார்களுடன் அலெக்சாண்டர் (Tamil)
Ramayana wonders- Seven articles in seven parts
Hanuman wonders
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