Sunday, March 8, 2009
HANUMAN IN THE HIMALAYAS
TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION
The picture on the left was purportedly taken of Hanuman in a cave in Manasarovar in the Himalayas. When on Sunday the 9th May, 1999, I saw this strange picture of Hanuman reading the Ramayana, in the house of Sri V. Srinivasan at Rohini in North-West Delhi, I was awe-struck. I had never seen this picture before.Also there is a board on the outside door of his flat which reads "Prasanthi Nilayam" ! Mr. Srinivasan is a staunch Sai-devotee and is an ailing person. He suffered due to some spinal chord problem (tail knot). He told me that Swami though has cured him to a great extent, has told him that he has to still suffer for some more time to finish off his karma. He had installed a big lingam on this Maha Sivarathri day as pre-told by Swami ( He received it from some one on January 30th, again as pre-told by Swami). He has been daily doing "Abhisheka" and "Puja" to this Lingam. Susequently this Lingam produced 6 small lingams (one of which I know was received by one Mr. Rastogi).
Mr. Srinivasan told me a story about this Hanuman, whose picture he has kept in his Puja room along with the pictures of Swami and other forms of God. It appears that a person out of a group who visited the Manasarovar took a photograph of this "Hanuman" in flesh form (or Astral form?) and for some strange unexplained reason died. This picture was developed and printed from out of the roll of that camera.
On 18th, Tuesday, 1999 I received from Sister Bhuvana the same picture , in response to my posting on the net about this Hanuman. She had got this from some body else. I reproduce below what she heard.
"This is the latest thing going on here. A group of people went to Manas-sarovar for a piligrimage trip. One of the person there is a Upasaka of Hanuman. He was exploring some caves and accidentally bounced upon a being looking like Lord Hanuman. All of them had cameras and this person happend to click the camera and died there for reasons not known. The other persons fished him out and the camera and here is the picture the camera showed. I do not know how much it is true but many people are believing it. It is a fact that Hanuman does exist in flesh and blood because he is a Chiranjeevi".
This is what now I have got from a person who says it is one of the few originals of the Hanuman photos. The government of India every year during the summer "before the onslaught of monsoon", gives permissions after medical check up, to selected individuals and send them in groups to Manasarovar. Such groups necessarily will consist of different nationalities, and different people from different regions of India. This photograph appears to have been taken by a person during the summer of 1998. It is said that He saw a light inside a cave and he clicked the light and he died (This part every one is confirming). Later the friends developed the roll from the camera and got this print!.
The photo is as thrilling as the anecdote. I have not yet given up the quest for accuracy of details. I have also posted above a beautiful picture of Sathya Sai and Shridi Sai given to me by the same person. Please have divine bliss!
Hanuman Tok
Hanuman Tok, a temple devoted to Lord Hanuman, is situated at a point where the road divides on the Gangtok-Nathula Highway, around 5 km from White Hall. The temple is maintained by a unit of the Indian Army. Devotees have the opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty of Gangtok town and have a satisfying glimpse of Mount Khangchendzonga. The temple is close to Royal Cremation Grounds of Lukshyama, where the members of the Namgyal dynasty were cremated.
Address 11 kms away from Gangtok
City Gangtok
State Sikkim
Location East India
Altitude 7,200ft
Year of Construction
Constructed By
Type of Construction Ancient
Type of Building Temple
Managed By Indian Army
Official Website
Dedicated To Lord Hanuman
Other Deities
Religion Hinduism
Importance
Famous For
Festival
Best Time September to May
Opening Schedule
Visit Timings
Pooja Schedule
Entry Formalities required to obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP),for restricted areas under army control, like Changu and Yumthang
Accomodation
Accesibility nearest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal, which is 124km and approx. 5hrs drive from Gangtok
Sri Panchamukhi Temple of Lord Anjneya Swamy
Lord Hanuman holds a unique place among the Hindu deities. We can find many temples raised for him and by number it is next only to Lord Ganesh. The traditional Hindu believes that Lord Hanuman is living today in His identical body and when this Kalpa ends and another begins. He will be appointed by creator of the Universe. According to the Hindu faith, Hanuman and Vinayaka are two aspects of God not afflicted by Sani. There is also a belief that all the planets are under the control of Hanumans tail. Whoever worships Hanuman is granted fortitude and strength.
Lord Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami was the main deity of Sri Raghavendra Swami. The place where he meditated on this five-faced form of Hanuman is now known as Panchamukhi, wherein a temple for him has been built. There is also a shrine for Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami at Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. A 40 feet tall monolithic green granite Murti of Sri Panchamukha Hanuman has been installed in Thiruvallur, also in Tamil Nadu. This place was known as Rudravanam in olden times when many saints and seers had blessed this place with their presence. The Panchamukha Hanuman Ashram itself was established by a saint called Venkatesa Battar.
Every Face of Sri Panchamukha Hanuman has significance:
* Sri Hanuman faces east. He grants purity of mind and success.
* The Narasimha faces south. He grants victory and fearlessness.
* The west facing Garuda removes black magic and poisons.
* The north facing Varaha, showers prosperity, wealth.
* The Hayagriva Mukha faces the Sky. But since we cannot see it, it is usually tilted and shown above Hanumans face. Hayagriva gives Knowledge and good children.
An 85-foot Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti was installed at Carapichaima-Trinidad and Tobago, by Avadhoota Dattapeetham Pontiff Sri Ganapthi Sacchidananda Swami. (Tallest in the Western hemisphere and second tallest in the world)
In the Ramayana, Hanuman is said to have rescued Shani, that is, the planet Saturn, from the clutches of Ravana. In gratitude, Shani promised Hanuman that those who prayed to him (Hanuman) would be rescued from the painful effects of Saturn, which in Hindu astrology, is said to produce malefic effects on ones life when one is afflicted negatively with Saturn.
Another version of the encounter between Lord Hanuman and Lord Shani / Sani Bhagawan is that the latter once climbed on to Lord Hanumans shoulder, implying that he (Hanuman) was coming under the effects of the influence of Shani. At this, Hanuman assumed a large size, and Shani was caught painfully between Hanumans shoulders and the ceiling of the room they were in. As the pain was unbearable, Shani requested Hanuman to release him, promising that if a person prayed to Hanuman, he (Shani) would moderate the malefic effects of his influence on that person; following this, Hanuman released Shani.
There is a spiritual interpretation of the relation between Lord Hanuman and Lord Shani. The former is said to be a symbol of selflessness, while the latter is symbolic of ego and pride. Thus, to counter the karma borne out of selfish action, one must be humble like Lord Hanuman. This is particularly true for those who are said to be experiencing the evil effects of Sade Sani - a period of about seven and half years when Saturn (Lord Shani) is supposed to afflict the sign in which "planet," the moon is placed in the natal chart of a person.
Alternatively, it is also considered that one who prays to Vishnu is protected from Saturn as he is said by some to be a great devotee of Vishnu. He symbolizes the pinnacle of bhakti, and Hindus consider him to be the eleventh Rudra Avatar of Lord Shiva. He is more well-known as the (spiritual) Son of Vayu Deva, the Hindu deity of the wind. Hanuman is the epitome of wisdom, Bramacharya, bhakti (devotion/faith), valour, righteousness and strength. His indispensable role in reuniting Rama with Sita is likened by some to that of a teacher helping an individual soul realize the divine. There is no blessing that he cannot bestow—according to the Hanuman Chalisa, Sita granted him the power to bestow the eight siddhis and nine types of wealth on others. However, the greatest boon one can ask of Hanuman is the uplifting spiritual qualities that he himself is known for.
Panchamukhi temple is located nearly 21 kilometers from Mantralaya across the Tungabadra River in Karnataka. According to ancient scriptures, Sri Raghavendra Swamy did penance here for 12 years way back in the 16th century. On the basis of this, we can say that this place is sanctified well for over 370 years. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, large number of people visits the temple. Those who visit Mantralaya will make it a point to visit this temple . In this temple, the presence of Lord Hanuman sitting which is a rare posture There is also a belief that God fulfils the wishes of the people who sleep near the Tulasi Brundavan for a duration of 40 days.
We can find the temple of Goddess Yeruklamba who is considered to be the protector of the place. Goddess is worshiped by people gathering from Kolhapur and Pune, by offering sarees, blouses and bangles. We find a replicas of foot wears of Lord Hanuman. On New Moon day, devotees come from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra to have the darshan of Lord Anjaneya. They spend the whole night singing bhajans of Lord Sri Rama. There is a idol of Panchamukhi Anjaneya carved on the rock in the cave with five faces. One can find the idols of Sri Venkateshalakshmi, Sri Hari, Kurma Avatar and the Brundavan of Sri Raghavendra Swamy in the temple. The presence of Lord Hanuman is seen, since the period of Treta yuga and Dwapara yuga and He is considered as Chiranjeevi.
Some famous temples of Lord Anjaneya are:
* Jhaku Temple,Shimla,Himachal Pradesh,India
* Sri Suchindram Temple, Tamilnadu, India
* Sri Hanuman Vatika , Rourkela , Orissa , India (74 Feet & 9 inches height Murthi )
* Saakshi Hanuman Temple , Ramarpadam , Rameswaram , Tamilnadu , India
* Shri Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) , Udupi
* Krishnapura Matha , Krishnapura near Surathkal
* Ragigudda Anjaneya temple , Jayanagar , Bangalore
* Hanuman Temple, near Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
* 11 Maruthi temples in Maharashtra.
* Shri Hanuman temple in Connaught Place, New Delhi.
* Prasanna Veeranjaneya Swami Temple, in Mahalakshmi Layout, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
* Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swami Devasthanam, Kasapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India
* Yellala Anjaneya Swami,Yellala, Cuddapah District, Andhra Pradesh, India
* Sri Mahavir mandir , Patna, Bihar.
* Sri Vishwaroopa Anchaneya Temple, Naganallur, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India (32 Feet Murthi)
Temples of sri hanuman in india
Lord Hanuman is renowned for bravery, power, selfless service, courage, devotion and loyalty. He is a great devotee of Lord Rama. He is the epitome of devotion, knowledge, valour, strength, courage, and humility and stanch dedication to virtue or justice. He is easily reachable just by chanting the name Ram. He is a noble hero in Hinduism as well. Hanuman is actually a monkey god.
This deity is a provider of courage, hope, knowledge, intellect and devotion. He is pictured as a robust monkey holding a mace or gada that is a sign of bravery and having a picture of Lord Rama tatooed on his chest, which is a sign of his devotion to Lord Rama. He is called as Mahaveera or the great hero and Pavan-suta or son of air. He is also called as Bajarangbali.
Hanuman Mandir in New DelhiHanuman acquired immortal fame after rendering invaluable service to Lord Rama. A character of highest morals, Hanuman is worshipped throughout the country with great zeal and fervor.
Some of the important temples are as follows: Jhakhu Temple in Shimla, Hanuman Tok in Gangtok, Hanuman Mandir in New Delhi, Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami Ashram in Chennai, Mehandipur Balaji Temple in Dausa, Sri Viswaroopa Adhivyadhihara Bhaktha Anjaneyaswami Temple in Chennai, Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple, Sri Veeramangalam Anjaneyar Temple, Sri Yoga Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Sri Anjaneya Temple, Sankatmochan Temple are some of the famous Hanuman Temples in India.
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