Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place, New Delhi, India, is an ancient Hindu temple and is claimed to be one of the five temples of Mahabharata days in Delhi. The other four temples are the Kalkaji, a Kali temple in South Delhi containing Swayambu rock Idol, the Yogmaya Temple near Qutub Minar, the Bhairav temple near the Purana Qila and the Nili Chatri Mahadev at Nigambodh Ghat outside the walls of Old Delhi. The temple, which has a self manifest idol of Hanuman, has an unusual feature fixed in the spire in the form of a crescent moon instead of the Hindu symbol of Aum or Sun that is commonly seen in most Hindu temples. This became particularly important during the Mughal period corroborating this extraordinary depiction. The idol in the temple, devotionally worshipped as "Sri Hanuman Ji Maharaj", is that of Bala Hanuman namely, Hanuman as a child.
History
Historically, Delhi located on the banks of the Yamuna River has been stated to be the Indraprastha city built by Pandavas of the Mahabharata epic period. Pandavas ruled from Indraprastha and Kauravas from Hastinapur as per a brokered partition of the Kuru empire. But, in a dice game, Pandavas lost their Kingdom and were exiled for a 12-year term and in the 13th year must remain in hiding. Mythological legend states that during the Pandavas' exile, in order to subdue Bhima’s arrogance, Hanuman considered to be the brother of Bhima, who wrote Ramacharitamanas during Emperor Akbar’s reign. It was reconstructed by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1724, around the same time as the Jantar Mantar. After that the temple has undergone many improvements making it a notable religious centre in the heart of Central Delhi. An important feature of the worship at this temple is the 24-hour chanting of the mantra "Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram", since 1 August 1964. It is claimed that this continuous chanting has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Temple features
Entry to the temple is through the Baba Kharak Singh Marg. The approach is through a set of marble steps from the road level leading into the main foyer of the temple through massive silver-plated doors, which are engraved with scenes of the epic Ramayana story. The foyer is ventilated with clerestory windows that are adorned with paintings of Hanuman in the cardinal directions depicting his four aspects. Below each Hanuman painting, the full text of Tulsidas's Sundar Kand is inscribed on the marble tablets affixed on the walls. The Sanctum Sanctorum, which houses the Hanuman idol, is on the north wall on the right side of the entry foyer, with the idol facing the southern direction in a small bas-relief carving. Images of Radha and Krishna, a central triumvirate of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are also installed to the right of the Hanuman idol on the same wall. As the idol of Hanuman faces the southern direction, devotees can discern only one eye of the idol. The idol depicts a Gada in the left hand with the right hand crossed across the chest showing veneration to the adjacent idol of lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. A tapering crown adorns the idol, which has a sacred thread on the right shoulder and is clad in a fashioned dhoti. The height of the temple is reported to be. The ceiling of the main mandap depicts the epic story of Ramayana artistically painted. In recent years, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation has enhanced the religious character of the temple precincts by incorporating within the main complex a shrine to Shiva, Parvati and their children, of the same size as the adjoining main sanctum, another enclosure housing idols of Durga, Lakshmi Narayan and Ganesha and on the south in an annex the idol of goddess Santoshi Mata. The last named deity has created a cult culture among women with Friday worship that was propagated by the religious feature film Jai Santoshi Ma, since 1975.
Visitor information
The temple is situated on the Baba Kharak Singh Road about southwest of Connaught place in Central Delhi, which is the commercial hub of Delhi. Tuesday and Saturday are special days of worship when devotees congregate at the temple in large numbers. Hanuman Jayanti is held every year with great fanfare on the full moon day in the month of Chaitra as per established lunar Hindu Panchangam or Hindu calendar. Colourful processions with festoons and with devotees wearing Hanuman masks and tails and carrying large idols of Hanuman fill the streets. Commercial establishments within the temple complex sell religious offerings and bangles made of lac and plastic. It is also a popular place for women for Mehndi. This temple is well connected by road as well as Delhi Metro. Shivaji stadium is the nearest bus stand and also has Airport Express Metro Line nearby and Rajeev Chowk is the nearest metro station.
