The IndianNews
Arts and Entertainment
"History of Hanuman"
Hello, everyone- this week you will be introduced to a four-part series in honor of the God Hanuman. Every Friday for the next month we will publish a new story in the Arts and Entertainment section. This series will lead up to the beginning of Hanuman Jayanti, a celebration of the birth of Hanuman. So be ready to be thrilled with the journeys of his life each week. This Hindu God is worshipped throughout southeastern Asia, most notably, in the country of India. Hanuman is known for being courageous, powerful, selfless and very faithful. Each of the stories over the next month will display one of these qualities of Hanuman. This week's article "History of Hanuman" will give background information on this deity and prepare you for the journeys to come.
Next week Hunaman's journey to Lanka will be revealed. This journey shows the courage and devotion of Hanuman. He stood in the presence of one of the most powerful rakshasas and was not deterred from him mission. He even caused some trouble when he left.
In the second story we will see the faithfulness of Hanuman when he travels to Medicine Hill to fetch herbs to save Lakshmana and the others from a powerful mantra. He cannot find the herb so he returns with something very surprising.
The third story in the series will show the power of Hanuman during the major battle between Ravana and Rama. Hanuman fights vigorously throughout the battle, beside Rama and the other warriors, until the demons were finished.
The final story will tell of Hanuman's journey to deliver an important message to Bharata. This message will save Bharata from ending his own life and prepare him and the city of Ayodhya for the return of Rama.
To fully understand Hanuman we must start from the beginning and continue from there. The parents of Hanuman are very special. His mother was Anjana, an Aspara who was cursed to live the rest of her life as a monkey. His father was the wind God, Vayu. The identity of Hanuman's mother obviously explains Hanuman's monkey heritage. His father gave him something important also, the ability to fly. He was also given the gift of immortality by the Gods. Somewhere right now, Hanuman still roams the world. Hanuman was given many different powers by the gods as well. Some examples include making himself as large or small as possible or changing his form to those of other beings, for example, a cat.
Hanuman is extremely influential in the Hindu religion today. Hanuman Jayanti is a Hindu festival to celebrate the birth of Hanuman on the full moon in the month of Chaitra, March or April of the Julian calendar. The worship of Hanuman is to overcome distressing energies and control pleasant energies for all those who cherish the deity. Hopefully this series will encourage you to expand culturally and participate in the festival, or at least visit. The festival is celebrated by Hindus throughout the world. The largest festival will be held in Phillaur, India. The largest temple devoted to Hanuman is located there. The events surrounding the festival are numerous and continuous. The sixty-seven-foot-tall statue of Hanuman will be lit up by candles surrounding the statue for the whole month. Hanuman is immortal so there is a belief that he is still roaming India today. It would be quite an experience to see Hanuman.
Now that you know the history and importance of Hanuman, don't forget to return for the adventures of the great monkey for the next four weeks. Next week we have a wonderful surprise that you won't want to miss!
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