Statue of Hanuman

Statue of Hanuman

Hanuman is the divine monkey described in the Indian epic *Ramayana*. Legend has it that Hanuman is the son of the wind god Vayu and the female monkey Anjana, possessing four faces and eight arms, capable of flying through the air, with a face and body that can transform at will, and the ability to move mountains and part seas. He has a ruby-like face, golden fur, a tall stature, an extraordinarily long tail, a thunderous roar, and immense strength, able to shift mountains and capture clouds.

Lord Rama is an incarnation of the god Vishnu. His wife, Sita, who is extremely beautiful, was abducted by the ten-headed demon king Ravana of Lanka through trickery. On his quest to find Sita, Rama helped the monkey king Sugriva reclaim his throne, and the monkey king sent his general Hanuman to accompany Rama in the search. Hanuman, brave and clever, rode the clouds, set fire to Lanka’s palace, stole the magical herb, and ultimately helped Rama defeat the powerful enemy and rescue Sita.

Hu Shi believed that the Monkey King Sun Wukong from *Journey to the West* was modeled after Hanuman. He said, “I always suspected that this highly capable monkey was not native, but rather imported from India. Perhaps even the myth of Wu Zhiqi was influenced by India and imitated.” He also stated, “Following the guidance of Dr. Winternitz, I found a Hanuman in India’s oldest epic poem, the *Ramayana*, who can probably be considered the prototype of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.” As Indian Buddhism spread to China, the episode of the “Battle of Lanka” in the *Ramayana*, where chaos was wrought in the Garden of Delight, was adapted into the story of Sun Wukong causing havoc in Heaven in *Journey to the West*. Both Chen Yinke and Ji Xianlin agreed with this theory. Wu Xiaoling, however, raised objections to the claim that Sun Wukong was influenced by Hanuman in his article *Journey to the West and the Mo Yan Book*.

Hanuman is not only worshipped in India but is also commonly venerated through statues or images wherever Hinduism is practiced. People worship Hanuman partly to seek the help of the highly capable Hanuman in overcoming difficulties, and partly because Rama once promised that as long as offerings of vermillion and oil are made to Hanuman, Rama would ensure their wishes come true.

Hanuman Statue

Reason to visit: One of the most famous attractions in Kathmandu

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Nepal[Nepal]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Bagmati Zone [Bagmati Zone]

City where the attraction is located: Kathmandu [Kathmandu]