Hanuman’s Pavitra Shakti Peeth

Ayodhaya: Hanuman Garhi’s Hanuman

The most important temple of Ayodhaya is the Hanuman Garhi and is located in front of the Royal Gate. Four high walls encircle it and one has to climb sixty steps to reach the temple. This temple has a huge Pratima and there is another Vigrah of Hanuman ji, which is only six inches high and is very ancient. It always remains covered with flowers. This place is the most sacred and beloved for all Hanuman devotees. To the south of the Hanuman Garhi are the Sugreev and Angad Teelas. Swami Abvhayrab Ramdas built this temple about three hundred and twenty five years ago. Throughout the years, devotees keep coming for darshan and worship, creating a carnival like atmosphere at the temple. The temple is overcrowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is ironic that although Ayodhaya is the birthplace of Lord Ram, Hanuman ji is worshipped more than Lord Ram in this city.

                                               Hanuman Dhara in Chitrakoot

Hanuman Dhara flows from the Koti Teerth Mountain, three miles from Chitrakoot. At an ascent of three hundred and fifty steps is where Hanuman ji is present. It is surrounded by mountain ranges and a large Vigrah of Hanumanji supports the mountain and is the main attraction. Right above the head of the mountains are two lakes that always remain filled with water. The overflow of water touches Hanuman ji, giving him continuous abhishek and the waterfall is known as Hanuman dhara. It has lush green trees and tremendous beauty. Legend says that when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhaya after defeating Ravan and was coronated, Hanuman ji asked him: “Oh Lord, you have traveled everywhere by foot. Can you please of a place where I can get rid of the constant burning sensation in my body which I got after Lanka Dahan.” Lord Ram told him of this place here he could get peace and tranquility. It is indeed true that this special place can cure all physical, mental and spiritual afflictions often referred to as Adhyatmic, Adhidaivik and Andhi-Bhantik (caused by mind, faith, curse of Gods and physical pain).

At a huge fort at Teerth Raj Prayag is a large Bhoshayee Vigrah of Hanuman ji, which is famous all over the world. It is a well-known story that that about two hundred years ago, a merchant took this Vigrah in his boat to Vindhyachal village. As he was crossing the Ganges River, the boat began to tumble. The sailor anchored the boat to shore and as soon as he did so, the boat turned and Hanuman ji fell out facing upward. Everyone tried to lift the Vigrah but was unable to move it. As everyone rested at night, Hanuman ji appeared in the merchant’s dreams and said that he did not want to go anywhere and wanted to stay in Prayag. Obeying the Lord, the merchant arranged for his installation at that spot in the morning. Since that time, Hanuman ji is established in the Dhara-Shayee state and provides blessings to his devotees.                                       

Hanuman Chatti Ke Shri Hanumanji

This place is seven kilometers from Pandukeshwar and five kilometers from Badrinath. This Sidhasthali is the place where Hanuman ji did his tapasya. On the highway is a small Hanuman temple. During the period of the Mahabharat, when Bhimsen was going to Alklapuri to get a lotus flower for Draupadi, he met Hanman ji there. Therefore, this historical place is very auspicious and beautiful. Pilgrims stop here on their way to Badrinath to obtain Hanuman ji’s blessings and prasad. The vermilion of the Vigrah Mandir has Hanuman ji engrossed in Lord Ram’s kirtan. This place has special significance as Hanuman ji’s Tapo Bhoomi.

                                    Shri Panch Mukhi Hanumanji of Ujjain

Ujjain is the great teerth where out of the twelve world famous Jyoti Lingas, the Mahakal Jyotir Lingam is established. Right in front of Ganesh ji is the famous Panch-Mukhi Hanuman ji temple. Its five faces give it special glory. In Ujjain, one must pay obeisance to Mahakaleshwar, Ganeshji, Hanumanji and Hara-Sehar Sidh Devi.

                                    Shri Ekadashi Mukhi Hanuman Ji of Ponebandar

In Sudawapuri (Ponebandar) Gujarat, there is an Ekadashi Hanuman temple inside the Shri Panchmukhi Mahadev temple. Here Hanuman ji has two charan (feet0, twenty-two hands and arms and eleven faces. These faces are Kapi Mukh, (Vanar) Bhairav Mukh, Agni Mukh Mayagreev Mukh, Varaah Mukh, Naag Mukh, Rudra Mukh, Narsing Mukh, Gaj Mukh and Saumya Mukh. This Vigraha is only available in India.

                                    Hanuman Dham Ke Hanumanji

Among the thousands of pilgrimage places in India, sixty-eight are considered very famous. Out of these, as per the Skand Puran Shuktal is the most auspicious pilgrimage. This is the place where Shukdev Muni recited the Shri Mad Bhagwat for seven days and nights before Maharaj Preekshit. At that spot is the Shri Rambhakat Hanuman ji temple and praying there fulfills all the devotee’s desires. This is the place where Shri Shukdev Muni lived and performed all his divine acts. The Hanuman Dham Pratima is seventy feet tall and seven hundred million Ram naam are printed on it. On the Vigrah, two crore Ram Nams add to the magnificence of this large Pratima. This site has the Lord Ram Bhakt Hanuman ji who provides Bal (strength), Budhi (intellect), Vidya (knowledge) and removes all fear, trouble and pain. People have experienced miracles here. Natives afflicted with the harsh effects of Mangal and Shani perform special worship here on Ram Navmi of Chaitra Mas and a week later on full moon day, thousands of pilgrims come from all over the world to get the benefit from the beautiful and pious Shuktal and Hanuman dham.