Introduction

Hanuman, one of the most adored Gods in the Hindu religion, has a massive following of devotees across the country who turn to him for knowledge, wisdom, courage, and solace. Devotees throng to Hanuman temples on Tuesdays and Saturdays to offer prayers and puja.

Hanuman is the Avatar (incarnation) of Lord Shiva. Vayu, the God of Wind, is his spiritual father. Lord Hanuman was born to Anjani and Kesari after his mother prayed for years to Shiva. He is called Anjaneya and Kesari Nandan. A son of the Wind God Vayu, he is also Vayu Putra or Pawan Putra Hanuman. People sing the Hanuman Chalisa and the Bajrang Balan in praise of Hanuman, to end their obstacles and suffering.

Legend of Hanuman

One of the most revered and popular deities in Hinduism is Hanuman. Hanuman is known for his immense strength, undying devotion, loyalty, and selfless dedication to Shri Ram, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, in the epic Ramayana. Not only is Hanuman known for his incredible strength and fearlessness, but he also has profound knowledge of the Vedas and scriptures.

Hanuman’s mother was an Apsara (celestial dancer), and she was cursed to live on Earth. She married Kesari, the king of Kapi, and prayed for twelve long years to Shiva to grant her a son. Pleased with her devotion, Shiva blessed her with a son, Hanuman. The child had immense energy and once rose to the sky to eat the Sun, mistaking it for a fruit. He leaped into the air and took the Sun in his mouth. Indra, the King of Gods, struck Hanuman with a Vajra (thunderbolt). The action upset Vayu, God of Wind, and spiritual father of Hanuman terribly, and he sucked all the air from the Earth. All the Gods scrambled to appease Vayu, and they revived Hanuman and granted him several boons.

Where is Hanuman’s Birthplace?

According to Hindu belief, this Rudra Avatar of Shiva was born in India, but there are several places mentioned, claiming to be the birthplace of Hanuman. There are multiple places across India where people believe Hanuman’s place of birth to be. Some people say that Hanuman was born in a cave in the village of Anjan, 21 kilometers from the Ghumla district in the state of Jharkhand. Sources believe this was the residence of his mother, Anjani.

Belief has it that there was a state of Vali and Sugriva in the Palakot block. There was a Sabari’s ashram too here. Experts say there is a cave here in the mountains associated with the period of the epic, Ramayana. Hanuman’s mother Anjani used to worship Shiva here, and one can find 360 Shiva Lingams here. The place has a temple of Anjan Mata and an ancient cave beneath the temple called the Sarp Cave. Here Bal Hanuman sits on his mother Anjani’s lap. There are many ponds here when Mata Anjani used to take her bath. Devotees visit the snake cave when they come here.

Other sources say Hanuman’s birthplace is in Navsari in the state of Gujarat, which was earlier called the Dandakaranya region. Shri Rama spent ten years of his life here. Tribals in the Dang district believe that Hanuman was born in the Anjani cave located in the Anjani mountain here.

Some sources say Hanuman was born in the Kaithal district of Haryana. Kaithal was formerly called Kapital. Kaithal once belonged to the Kuru empire. The Puranas state that this is the birthplace of Hanuman. Hanuman’s father, Kesari, was the King of Kapi and was called Kapiraja.

Yet another reference to Hanuman’s birthplace is in Nashik, Maharashtra. People believe that Hanuman was born thousands of years ago on the Anjaneri mountain in Nashik district, located 7 kilometers away from Trimbakeshwar. The temple of Mata Anjani lies in the Anjaneri mountain. Sources say a temple for Hanuman lies on a higher altitude. There is a lake here believed to be his footprint.

The city of Hampi in the district of Bellary, Karnataka, has an ancient temple of Hanuman, located in Kishkinda Nagar and finds mention in Ram Charit Manas and Valmiki Ramayana. Many say this is the place where Hanuman first met Shri Rama. Devotees of Hanuman feel the Anjaneya Hill, also called Anjeyandri Hill in Hampi, Karnataka, could be the origin, for they believe that it was here that Mata Anjani meditated to get a boon from Shiva for a son.

The Valmiki Ramayana has a mention of Shri Rama hearing from the demon Kabandha about Sugriva staying in the Rishyamukha Parvat near the Pampa Lake, situated in Koppal district near Hampi in Karnataka. Hampi is the modern-day Kishkinda, which was Sugriva’s empire. The Rishyamukha Hill lies near the Anjaneya Hill. These locations point to Hanuman’s birthplace being here, which is the closest to ancient texts.

Conclusion

There are many places across India which suggest Hanuman was born there, with temples of his mother Anjani bearing evidence. It is derived from the Valmiki Ramayana, that the closest option points to Hampi in Karnataka.