A Village Where Hanumanji is not Worshipped

On the Indian subcontinent there is a single place where Hanumanji’s worship is not allowed. The inhabitants of this village are angry not only with Hanumanji, but also with his red flag.  So no one dare use a red flag, symbolic of Shri Hanuman bhakti.  No Ram Lila is enacted in this village because if Ram Lila is performed, Hanumanji’s name will surely be chanted. 

This village is Drongiri in district Chamoli, in northern India , where native tribes have been living for centuries.  This is the same Drongiri part of which was uprooted by Hanumanji when Lakshman was unconscious and flown over to Lanka.  Everyone knows that Shakti-baan of Meghnaad fatally injured Lakshman.  When his life was in danger, Vibeekshan suggested that Vaidya Sukhain could save his life.  No one could bring Vaidya raaj but Hanumanji.  When he brought the Vaidya, he asked for Sangeevri Booti (a medical herb which could heal the wound instantly and bring Shri Lakshman back to life).  Sangeevri was available only on Droneparval, located in Himalayan Ranges up in the North.  Hanumanji flew over to the place and asked the people of this village about Dronegiri. Most probably the people were skeptical about this stranger and did not want to disclose the most valuable secret to him. Their livelihood was dependent on those herbs. But one woman took pity and told him about Sanjeevani booti at Dronegiri. When Hanumanji reached the site, he could not identify the specific herb required to save Lakshman’s life.  But he could not give up.  So he uprooted the entire hill, along with all its natural resources and brought it to Lanka.  Vaidya Sukahin used the Sangeevri and protected Lakshman’s life.

The people of that village were very upset because Hanumanji deprived them of their wealth and sacred mountain.  They still worship the mountain.  They don’t allow women to participate in the worship because a woman had shown Hanumanji the way to Dronegiri.  For several centuries, even the men of her tribe were not allowed to participate in Dronegiri Pooja.  But only about four or five generations ago, the tribe apologized publicly and is now allowed to take part in the Dronegiri Pooja.

At the time of worship, the mountain incarnates as one of the men of the village.  When the Parvat comes, he bends his arm at the elbow and joins it with the neck.  This ritual symbolizes that Hanuman broke the arm of the mountain and took it away. This is an event worth seeing even today.

The village is 10,000 ft above sea level and this altitude is not congenial for monkeys.  But they attach the same story with this fact that no monkey can enter the village, and if it does, it is lost and would never be found again.

To worship the mountain is not merely a question of religious faith. It is also significant for the environment. Mountains are full of several life-giving and life-supporting herbs, shrubs, and minerals.  It is the source of their livelihood and wellbeing.  Hence, the people of the village Dronegiri are scientifically justified in worshipping Dronegiri.