Hanuman

In the Sanskrit epic Rāmāyana, the Hindu monkey god and monkey king of Hindustan (northern India). He helped Rama (an incarnation of the god Vishnu) to retrieve his wife Sita, who had been abducted by the wicked demon Ravana of Lanka (now Sri Lanka).

Hanuman's agility, strength, valour, and loyalty in supporting Rama is seen by Hindus as an example of the devotion and loyalty that worshippers should show to a god. His image is often seen kneeling at Rama's feet. He is sometimes shown leaping through the air holding a mountain with medicinal herbs growing on it, which he took to Rama's brother who had been wounded in a battle. He helped Rama rescue Sita from the island of Lanka by ordering all the monkeys to make a bridge from Lanka to India with their bodies. His birthday is celebrated during Chaitra at the festival of Hanuman Jayanti and has particular importance for Brahmacharis, wrestlers, and bodybuilders.

hanuman

Another name for the langur monkey.