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New Delhi/ 12 Jan. Claimed to be one of the five temples of the Mahabharata time in Delhi, Hanuman Mandir is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Baba Kharak Singh Marg in Connaught Place. The temple, which has a self-manifest idol of Hanuman, has an unusual feature fixed in the spire (Viman) in the form of a crescent moon (an Islamic symbol) instead of the Hindu symbol of Aum or Sun that is commonly seen in most Hindu temples. Hanuman Jayanti (birthday celebrations of Lord Hanumana) is also celebrated every year with great enthusiasm.
Interior
The massive silver plated doors which lead to the main hall of the temple are engraved with scenes of the epic Ramayana story. The hall is ventilated with clerestory windows that are adorned with paintings of Hanuman in the cardinal directions portraying his four aspects. Below each Hanuman painting, the full text of Tulsidasâs Sundar Kand is inscribed on the marble tablets affixed on the walls. The Main Idol at the temple is of Lord Hanumana, facing south. The deity holds a gada in his left hand and his right hand rests on his chest in adoration to the adjacent idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. It is believed that Lord Hanuman destroys all the evils with the Gada in his hand. The ceiling of the main hall has embossed artwork depicting the Ramayana, the great Hindu epic.
The history
It is believed that the temple was built originally by Maharaja Man Singh I of Amber (1540â1614) during Emperor Akbarâs (1542-1605) reign. It was reconstructed by Maharaja Jai Singh (1688-1743) in 1724, around the same time as the Jantar Mantar. After that the temple has undergone many improvements making it a notable religious center in the heart of Central Delhi.
Important feature
An important feature of the worship at this temple is the 24âhour chanting of the mantra (hymn) âSri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ramâ, since August 1, 1964. It is claimed that this continuous chanting has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.
