Hanuman Mandir C.P
Hanuman Temple
in Connaught Place, New Delhi, 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” (Great
Lord Hanuman), is that of Bala Hanuman namely, Hanuman as a child.
Major Festivals
* Sri Hanuman
Jayanti (Chaitra Shukla Chaturdashi and Purnima).
* Ashwin
Shukla Chaturdashi and Purnima.
* Bhadrapad
Shukla Chaturdashi and Purnima.
* All three
of these festivals are attractive and attracts lakhs of Devotees from around the
Country
History of Jhandewalan
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 (two collateral families) 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 (with a rider that if they were detected during this period they would
undergo the exile denovo). Mythological legend states that during the Pandavas'
exile (imposed by their cousin Duryodhana of the Kaurava dynasty), in order to subdue
Bhima’s (second of the five Pandava brothers) arrogance, Hanuman considered to be
the brother of Bhima (both Vayu's children, appeared in the forest disguised as
a weak and aged monkey.
Bhima, while in search of a fragrant flower sought by Draupadi in the forest, found
Hanuman lying with his tail blocking his way and, unaware of Hanuman’s identity,
scornfully asked him to remove his tail. But Hanuman told Bhima to lift the tail
since being old he was unable to do it on his own. Bhima tried hard several times
but failed to lift it, in spite of being a man of great strength. Bhima then realized
that the monkey was none other his own brother, apologizes for his arrogant behavior
and requests Hanuman to show him his true form. Hanuman was then said to have enlarged
himself and showed Bhima the size in which he had crossed the sea to go to Lanka,
looking for Sita during the Ramayana epic period. After the Pandavas won the Kurukshetra
war against the Kauravas and re–established themselves in Indraprastha, the Pandava
clan is stated to have built five temples of Hanuman and other deities.