Article of the Month - Nov 2023

This article by Anviti Sohla

(Viewed 1396 times since Nov 2023)

A true symbol of loyalty, Lord Hanuman is the epitome of devotion. He dedicated his life to serving his lord Bhagwaan Rama. Such was his love for Lord Rama that even today, people sing praises of him and build temples in his honor.

Being the land of breathtaking architecture, India has some of the most magnificent statues of Lord Hanuman. While the biggest Hanuman statue in India is located in Madapam on the banks of river Vamsadhara, the statue in Paritala Anjaneya Temple in the state of Andhra Pradesh, along with others in the Nalco Temple in Odisha, Jakhu Temple in Shimla etc are scattered around the country.

From the mighty Himalayas to the banks of serene rivers in the south, the sacred land of India is beautifully adorned with the most striking statues of Lord Hanuman. Let’s take a look at 10 of them. 


Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy Statue - The Bidanagere Basaveshwara Mutt in Karnataka is home to the 161-foot-tall statue of Lord Hanuman. Shining bright as gold, this sculpture is called the Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy statue and features five faces of Lord Hanuman - Narasimha, Hayagriva, Varaha, Garuda, and the Lord’s face. The Lord is depicted with 10 arms bearing significant objects like a discus, a conch, a sword, a trishul, an axe, a shield etc along with his mace. 


Jakhu Temple Statue - Lord Hanuman stands towering over trees in the hills of Shimla at Jakhu Temple. As you trek towards the temple, tired and panting, you can see the Lord smiling at you and muster the courage to move forward. 

Constructed in bright orange with hints of gold, this 108-foot-tall Lord Hanuman statue is the world’s third tallest statue and very special for his devotees because this is where Lord Hanuman rested while he was searching for the Sanjeevani booti. 



Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir -  As the metro dashes along the Jhandewalan tracks, the passengers stare in awe at this magnificent statue, the most iconic landmark of Delhi. It depicts the Lord tearing his chest open to give a glimpse of his beloved Lord Ram along with Mata Sita and his brother Lakshman residing in his heart. The temple where it stands is an ancient marvel that has been in the city since the 18th century.


Nalco Temple - This temple in Damanjodi, Orissa, proudly houses a 108.9 feet tall statue of Lord Hanuman. With one hand in the Abhaya mudra, the Lord promises protection to his devotees. He urges them to be fearless and trust him as he holds a gada or a mace in the other hand. The pristine white hue adds to the aura of the statue which has been in the temple since 2017.


Paritala Anjaneya Temple - Visible from afar as you enter the Paritala Anjaneya temple in Andhra Pradesh, this majestic sculpture is 135 feet tall and is popular by the name of Veer Abhaya Anjaneya Hanuman Swami. The fascinating thing about it is that it is built atop the temple complex which makes it world’s second largest and highest sculpture of the deity. This beautiful white colored statue has been standing there since 2003.

 

Madapam - Andhra Pradesh is home to another humongous and rather colorful sculpture of Lord Hanuman. Boasting a height of 176 feet, this breathtaking statue stands on the banks of river Vamsadhara in Srikakulam district and is the tallest and the biggest Hanuman statue in India. Visitors throng the statue throughout the year to seek blessings from the Lord. The statue seems to be touching the sky as you stand at the Lord’s feet and look up.


Nandura - As you cross Nandura in Maharashtra via National Highway 6, you witness one of the most beautiful structures of the state. A 105-foot-tall statue of Lord Hanuman carved meticulously out of marble depicts the deity in his signature pose, i.e., bestowing blessings to his devotees with one hand and holding a mace with the other. The vibrant colors of the garland around his neck and the dash of gold create a beautiful contrast against the white color of the statue. People specially take this route just to catch a glimpse of the deity and offer their prayers.


Hanumat Dham - Home to many beautiful temples, Uttar Pradesh is the place to visit if you want to witness the 100-foot-tall statue of Lord Hanuman which stands on a 25 foot high platform and is a visual treat. The sculpture was constructed at Bisrat Ghat on the banks of the river Khannaut. As you seek blessings from the Lord and take in the serene ambiance of the ghat, you feel a sense of peace filling your mind and heart.


Agara - The Hanuman temple in Agara is home to the vibrant 102-foot-tall statue of Bajrangbali. All the hues on the palette came together to add color to this sculpture. With a crown gracing his head and jewels adorning his body, he is depicted as royalty. Giving a sense of calm in the busy life of Bangalore, this sculpture exudes grandeur and is one of the most beautiful attractions of Karnataka. 


Chhatarpur - Another jewel in the crown of the national capital is this hundred feet tall Lord Hanuman statue. The sculpture is painted orange, which is usually associated with the deity. It is located on the premises of a temple in Chhatarpur, Delhi and stands on a platform creating an atmosphere of serenity . The affectionate and merciful eyes of the deity look over the devotees as they come to pray to the one known as Sankat Mochan. 


Wrapping Up

Humans have been blessed with the ability to bring marvelous structures to life. We use this ability to sculpt the most beautiful idols of our deities, and evidence of this is visible from the north to the south of the country in the form of the biggest Hanuman statue in India and many other soaring sculptures of Lord Hanuman. While these statues might be made from different materials and in different styles, they are all perfect representations of the divinity of Lord Hanuman and are a sight to behold in every sense. 


FAQs


Q. What is the most powerful Hanuman statue in India?

The statue of Lord Hanuman in Madapam is the tallest and most powerful Lord Hanuman statue in India. The Veer Abhaya Anjaneya Hanuman Swami in the Paritala Anjaneya temple is among the tallest statues of the Lord. 

Q. Why do people offer oil at Lord Hanuman Temples?

People offer oil at the temples of Lord Hanuman to gain protection from the adverse effects of Shani Dev.

Q. Why are the temples of Lord Shani & Lord Hanuman together?

Upon reaching Lanka for Mata Sita, Lord Hanuman found Lord Shani captive by Ravana. On being rescued by Lord Hanuman, Shani Dev promised to protect all Bajrangbali bhakts. 

Q. Is it true that Lord Hanuman is still alive in this age & time?

Yes. Lord Hanuman is still alive because of a boon of immortality granted to him by Lord Rama.

Q. How is Lord Hanuman depicted in Indian Art?

Lord Hanuman is depicted as the Vanara King with a crown on his head and jewels adorning his body. He is seen holding a mace and standing tall and strong like a warrior.


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