Lord Hanuman is a monkey deity renowned for his learning, for his agility and speed and his faithful service to Rama. He is one of the popular gods of the Hindu religion and is worshipped all over the world. He was born to a monkey queen, Anjana, as one of the creatures fathered by the gods so as they could be of assistance to Vishnu in his incarnation as Rama, and has the ability to fly because his father was the wind god, Vayu. Hanuman is also known as Mahaveera (the great hero), Pavanputra, Bajarangbali etc. He is popular for his strength, valor, truthfulness, sincerity, selflessness and agility. Hanuman is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He was a bachelor and is worshipped in all the temples of India.

Lord Rama met Hanuman during his 14 years exile in the forest, with his brother Lakshmana. Rama was searching his wife Sita who had been abducted by Ravana. Hanuman helped Rama and became a great devotee of Rama. Once Hanuman was asked by Rama, How do you consider me? Hanuman said: "Oh Lord, while I identify myself with my body, I am Thy servant. When I consider myself an individual soul, I am Thy part. But when I look upon myself as the spirit, I am one with Thee. This is my firm conviction."

Hanuman, the symbol of devotion and dedication, was the chief of the armies of Lord Rama and took a prominent part in the war against Ravana, the king of Lanka. He helped Rama in his works. Every temple of Lord Rama contains an icon of Hanuman. Worship of Lord Rama is incomplete without the worship of Hanuman. He is also an ideal example of a devotee. He is also depicted in the fee of lord Rama. Hanuman’s immortality is more considered to have been granted to him as a reward for his loyal support of Rama.

Hanuman was born to Anjana, a female vanara, and Kesari, a male vanara, near Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra. It is sometimes related that Vayu ravished Anjana in the forest; but the common account of Hanuman's parentage is more complex. It is said that as part of the ceremony that Dasharatha, performed so that he should be granted sons, he gave to each of his three wives a cake. Kakeyi, who was the youngest of the three, received her cake last; she resented this and turned up her nose it. At this a kite swooped down and the snatched the cake (Kakeyi later repented and became the mother of Bharata). The kite bore the cake into the forest where he found Anjana, an apsara who had been transformed by a curse into a monkey, she was praying for a son, so when the kite dropped the cake Vayu came forward and directed it into Anjana’s hand. Shiva then appeared and told Anjana to eat the cake, by swallowing it she conceived Hanuman. As soon as Hanuman was born he felt hungry and his mother could not satisfy him. Then he caught the sight of the Sun and thinking it is a fruit he leapt after it. The sun took flight, but Hanuman chased him upto Indra’s heaven. Here Indra injured Hanuman’ jaw with his thunderbolt, Hanuman felt back on the earth but his father was quick to avenge him by entering the bodies of all the gods and giving them colic. Indra then apologized to Vayu and agreed that Hanuman should become immortal. The birth of Hanuman released Anjana from the curse.

Hanuman’s physical strength and agility made him an invaluable ally. He could not only fly at the speed of wind but he also had the strength to uproot trees and mountains, and could alter his size at will and make it invisible. ln battle he was a terrifying figure, as vast as a moon-and as tall as a tower, with a law skin gleaming like molten gold; his face was as red as a ruby his tail was of enormous length. He helped Rama in searching Sita. He was informed by Sampati, brother of the vulture Jatayu, that the strait dividing Lanka from the mainland was a hundred leagues across. Hanuman doubted that he could perform such a feat. But an old monkey advised Hanuman that if he would only have confidence, he would be able to accomplish the task. So Hanuman went up to the summit of Mount Mahendra and meditated on his mission. As he sat there his body began so shake and grow until it was itself the size of a mountain. He knew that if he could do this, he would be equal to the task, so, roaring and with flashing eyes, Hanuman coursed through the sky. In mid-air he was intercepted by a female rakshasa called Saurasa, who opened her mouth so wide as to engulf him. He at once shrank to the size of a thumb, but when he was inside her swelled again to his former size, escaping by bursting open and killing her.

When Hanuman reached Lanka he again reduced his size and wandered freely, he eventually found Sita, destroyed Ravana's gardens and killed many demons. He was captured, and in his escape set fire to Lanka. During the battle Hanuman proved himself to be a valiant warrior. But his greatest service was to fly to the Himalayas to bring herbs with which to cure Rama and Lakshmana of their mortal wounds. The rakshasas naturally set obstacles to his flight, and many other difficulties arose, all to be overcome. The first of these was a giant called Kalanemi, to whom Ravana had offered half his kingdom if he would kill the monkey god. Kalanemi therefore flew ahead of Hanuman, and when the latter reached the Himalayas, invited him to dinner. But Hanuman had been warned of his host's identity by an Apsara whom he had released from a curse. So he seized Kalanemi and killed him and thus he completed his work.

Hanuman Aarti completes the worship or prayers made him. It is believed that aarti provides a completion to the puja. Shri Hanuman Chalisa is a prayer of "forty verses". Verses are recited or chanted by groups. The acts and deeds of Lord Hanuman are recalled in these verses to aid the devotee to meditate on virtuous and noble qualities. On Tuesdays, many people fast in honor of Hanuman and give special offerings to him. In times of trouble, it is a common faith among Hindus to chant the name of Hanuman or sing his hymns (Hanuman Chalisa). Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman.All paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.