| Hanuman Temple | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| Deity | Hanuman |
| Location | |
| Location | New Delhi |
| Country | India |
  Location in Delhi | |
| Coordinates | 28°37′48″N77°12′54″E / 28.63000°N 77.21500°E /28.63000; 77.21500[1] |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Hindu temple architecture |
| Creator | Maharajas –Mansingh andJai Singh II of Amber |
| Completed | 1724 |
Hanuman Temple is anancient Hindu temple inConnaught Place, New Delhi,India, and is claimed to be one of the five temples from the days of theMahabharata inDelhi. The other four temples are theKalkaji, aKali temple inSouth Delhi containingSwayambu (Sanskrit: "self manifest") rock Idol, theYogmaya Temple nearQutub Minar, the Bhairav temple near thePurana Qila and theNili Chatri Mahadev (Shiva temple) atNigambodh Ghat outside the walls ofOld Delhi.[2][3][4]
The temple, which has a self manifest idol ofHanuman, has an unusual feature fixed in the spire (Shikhara) in the form of acrescent moon instead of the Hindu symbol ofAum or Sun that is commonly seen in most Hindu temples. This became particularly important during theMughal period corroborating this extraordinary depiction.[2]
The idol in the temple, devotionally worshipped as "Sri Hanuman Ji Maharaj" (Great Lord Hanuman), is that of Bala Hanuman namely, Hanuman as a child.[2]
Historically, Delhi located on the banks of theYamuna River has been stated to be theIndraprastha city built byPandavas of theMahabharata epic period. Pandavas ruled from Indraprastha andKauravas fromHastinapur (two collateral families) as per a brokered partition of theKuru empire. But in a dice game, Pandavas lost their Kingdom and were exiled for a 12-year term and in the 13th year must remain in hiding (with a rider that if they were detected during this period they would undergo the exile denovo). Mythological legend states that during the Pandavas' exile (imposed by their cousinDuryodhana of the Kaurava dynasty), in order to subdueBhima’s (second of the five Pandava brothers) arrogance,Hanuman considered to be the brother of Bhima (bothVayu's children, appeared in the forest disguised as a weak and aged monkey. Bhima, while in search of a fragrant flower sought byDraupadi in the forest, found Hanuman lying with his tail blocking his way and, unaware of Hanuman's identity, scornfully asked him to remove his tail. But Hanuman told Bhima to lift the tail since being old he was unable to do it on his own. Bhima tried hard several times but failed to lift it, in spite of being a man of great strength. Bhima then realized that the monkey was none other than his own brother, apologizes for his arrogant behavior and requests Hanuman to show him his true form. Hanuman was then said to have enlarged himself and showed Bhima the size in which he had crossed the sea to go toLanka, looking forMaa Sita Ji during theRamayana epic period. After the Pandavas won theKurukshetra war against the Kauravas and re– established themselves in Indraprastha, the Pandava clan is stated to have built five temples of Hanuman and other deities.[2][5]
It is believed thatTulsidas (1532–1623), who wroteRamacharitamanas (popularly known as TulsiRamayan and penned the famousHanuman Chalisa hymns in praise of Hanuman, visited this temple inDelhi. During his visit to Delhi, Tulsidas was summoned by theMughal Emperor and asked to perform a miracle, which he did with the blessings of Lord Hanuman. The Emperor was pleased with Tulsidas and presented the Hanuman temple with an Islamiccrescent Moonfinial which adorns the templespire.[2] It is also claimed that because of the crescent moon symbol on the spire, the temple was not destroyed by the Muslim rulers who invaded India at various times.[2]
Reportedly, it was built originally byMaharajaMan Singh I of Amber (1540–1614) during EmperorAkbar’s (1542-1605) reign. It was reconstructed by MaharajaJai Singh (1688-1743) in 1724, around the same time as theJantar Mantar. After that the temple has undergone many improvements making it a notable religious centre in the heart ofCentral Delhi.[2][3][4][5]
Entry to the temple is through theBaba Kharak Singh Marg (Road). The approach is through a set of marble steps from the road level leading into the main foyer of the temple through massive silver-plated doors, which are engraved with scenes of the epicRamayana story. The foyer is ventilated withclerestorywindows that are adorned with paintings of Hanuman in the cardinal directions depicting his four aspects. Below each Hanuman painting, the full text of Tulsidas'sSundar Kand is inscribed on the marble tablets affixed on the walls. TheSanctum Sanctorum, which houses the Hanuman idol, is on the north wall on the right side of the entry foyer (pictured), with the idol facing the southern direction in a smallbas-relief carving (pictured). Images ofRadha andKrishna, a central triumvirate ofRama,Lakshmana andSita are also installed to the right of the Hanuman idol on the same wall.[2]
As the idol of Hanuman faces the southern direction, devotees can discern only one eye of the idol. The idol depicts a Gada (mace or club) in the left hand with the right hand crossed across the chest showing veneration to the adjacent idol of lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.[6] A taperingcrown adorns the idol, which has a sacred thread on the right shoulder and is clad in a fashioned dhoti.[2][4] The height of the temple is reported to be 108 ft (32.9 m).[7] The ceiling of the mainmandap (hall or pavilion) depicts the epic story of Ramayana artistically painted. In recent years, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has enhanced the religious character of the temple precincts by incorporating within the main complex a shrine toShiva,Parvati and their children, of the same size as the adjoining main sanctum, another enclosure housing idols ofDurga,Lakshmi Narayan andGanesha and on the south in an annex the idol of goddessSantoshi Mata (the wish fulfilling goddess). The last named deity has created a cult culture among women with Friday worship that was propagated by the religious feature filmJai Santoshi Ma, since 1975.[2][6]
The temple is situated on the Baba Kharak Singh Road (old Irwin Road) about 250 m (820.2 ft) southwest of Connaught place inCentral Delhi, which is the commercial hub of Delhi.[3][8] Tuesday and Saturday are special days of worship when devotees congregate at the temple in large numbers.Hanuman Jayanti (birthday celebrations of lord Hanuman) is held every year with great fanfare on the full moon (Purnima) day in the month ofChaitra (March – April) as per established lunar HinduPanchangam orHindu calendar. Colourful processions with festoons and with devotees wearing Hanuman masks and tails and carrying large idols of Hanuman fill the streets.[8] Commercial establishments within the temple complex sell religious offerings and bangles made of lac and plastic. It is also a popular place for women forMehndi (temporary henna tattoos).
This temple is well connected by road as well as Delhi Metro. Shivaji stadium is the nearest bus stand and also hasAirport Express Metro Line nearby and Rajeev Chowk is the nearest metro station.[8][9]
{{cite book}}:|work= ignored (help)Situated on the Baba Khark Singh Marg Road (old Irwin Road) about 250 m south-west of Connaught Place is of little architectural importance. The residents of Delhi are, however, particularly devoted to it. The original temple appears to have been constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh about the same time as the Jantar Mantar, but has undergone large scale renewals since then.
{{cite book}}:|work= ignored (help)Hanuman Temple: This was rebuilt by Mansingh of Amber and has now been rebuilt in the 20th Century so the building is not historic, although the site is supposed to be of great ancient antiquity. It is always thronging with devotees
{{cite book}}:|work= ignored (help)
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