Hanuman has been known in Hinduism and the supreme devotee of Lord Ram. He is one of the leading characters of the scared Hindu text Ramayana. Hanuman is believed to possess the power to grant strength, success, and protection to his devotees. His worship is especially popular among those seeking to overcome obstacles, including illness, poverty, and spiritual challenges. The first mention of Hanuman can be found in the texts as early as Rig Veda, where references of a divine monkey are found. He finds much broader expression in the Puranas. Shiva Purana mentions Hanuman as an avatar of Lord Shiva. When Vishnu agreed to be born as a human to defeat Ravana, Brahma felt that he would need help, so he asked Shiva to take on an avatar as well. Shiva decided to be born as Hanuman. Hanuman’s mother Anjana, was an apsara named Punjikastala, who was born on earth as a vanara princess due to the curse of a sage. Anjana was married to Kesari, a vanara chief, and the son of Brihaspati. There are multiple stories associated with the birth of Hanuman. However, in every story, Vayu, the god of wind has a major significance. Among all the stories the most popular is the one where King Dasharatha was doing a great penance to obtain sons. Finally, Brahma gave him a pudding that Dasaratha gave his queens to eat, as a result of which Ram, Bharath, Lakshman and Shatrughana were born. On the other side Anjana and Kesari performed an intense prayer to Vayu to beget him as their child. Pleased with their devotion, Vayu granted the boon they sought. According to the legend some pudding was taken away by the wind who dropped it into Anjana’s hand. Eating it, she too gave birth to Lord Hanuman. Hanuman is thus often known as Anjani Putra or Anjaneya meaning the son of Anjana or Vayu Putra meaning the son of Vayu.

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