The Story behind Hanuman being Worshipped With Sindoor

Hanuman, the Monkey God and great devotee of Lord Rama, is one of the most colorful figures in Hindu mythology. Among the many interesting things about Lord Hanuman is the fact that devotees worship him with sindoor or vermilion. Behind this curious fact lies an interesting tale.

Hanuman in Ayodhya

After a fierce battle against the demon king of Lanka, Ravana, Rama killed him and rescued his wife, Sita, from captivity. After the battle, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana returned to the kingdom of Ayodhya. The entire kingdom rejoiced on hearing of his return and gave him a grand welcome. Rama was also crowned the king of Ayodhya. Some of Rama’s friends, like Sugriva, Vibhishana, and Hanuman, spent some time in Ayodhya and enjoyed the festivities. Eventually, all of them returned to their own kingdoms. But, Hanuman alone did not. He loved Rama so much that he could not bear to be separated from him even for a second.

In Ayodhya, Hanuman spent his days serving Rama, along with Rama’s brothers, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. Sita was very touched by Hanuman’s love and devotion for her husband and treated him like a son.

Hanuman had the freedom to come and go as he wished in Rama’s palace. One morning, Hanuman entered the chamber of Rama and Mata Sita, as usual, to get their blessings before starting his duties. On entering the chamber, he saw Sita applying some sindoor on her forehead. This is a ritual that is common among married Hindu women. Hanuman felt curious and wanted to know why she was applying sindoor on her forehead.

Hanuman applies sindoor on his body

Sita replied that she applied sindoor on her forehead so that her husband would have a long life, good health, and prosperity. Hanuman began to think deeply on hearing this. Then he took leave of Sita and left the chamber. An idea had formed in his mind. After some time, Rama was getting ready to go to the court. But he could not find his faithful companion, Hanuman, anywhere. Feeling surprised, he made some inquiries about Hanuman’s whereabouts, for it was very unusual for Hanuman to leave Rama’s side for long. Everyone began a search for Hanuman, but they could not find him.

After a while, Hanuman made an appearance. Rama was amazed to find that Hanuman had turned bright red in color! The reason was not hard to find. He had smeared sindoor all over his body, which had turned it red. Rama asked him why he had applied sindoor on his body in this strange fashion. Hanuman’s reply was that if a tiny speck of sindoor on Sita’s forehead could give Rama a long life, then how much greater would be the effect if the entire body was dipped in sindoor. It was for this reason that he had smeared sindoor all over his body.

Rama’s boon to Hanuman

Rama was both moved and pleased to hear this explanation. He understood the depth of Hanuman’s love and affection for him. He was so happy that he blessed Hanuman and granted him a boon whereby those who worshipped Hanuman with sindoor would gain the blessings and favors of Rama himself. Since then, devotees began to worship Hanuman with sindoor to get the blessings of both Rama and Hanuman.

When Hanuman Refused to Let Rama Die

According to a story, Rama could not die because Hanuman wouldn’t allow Lord Yama, the God of Death, to enter Ayodhya and claim Rama’s life. To distract Hanuman, Rama dropped his ring through a crack in the floor. Then he told Hanuman to retrieve it for him. During his attempt to find it, Hanuman reached the land of serpents and requested their ruler’s help to find the ring. The king led Hanuman to a vault filled with rings. But all of them belonged to Rama. The snake king then told Hanuman that during each cycle of time, when the Lord has to die, he drops a ring down the crack so that it distracts Hanuman. Only then can the Lord die. On hearing this, Hanuman felt very sad and returned to earth.

Benefits of offering sindoor to Hanuman

Offering Hanuman sindoor or vermilion attracts his divine grace. People usually offer sindoor to Hanuman on Tuesdays as it is very beneficial. It is believed to eliminate obstacles and problems. It bestows protection from accidents and relief from debts. Keep vermilion in a peepal or betel leaf before you offer it. Women should not offer sindoor to Hanuman. But they can offer red-colored flowers.