The Worship of Hanuman

Interview with a priest
Hanuman Temple, Allahabad



I am a priest in this place. Puja occurs three times. We have an arti at four a.m., one at five, and the third one is being spoken right now [around 4 p.m.]. The fourth one occurs at eight o’clock. We have to be on duty three of those times. There are five priests in residence here. A big idol has been constructed.

I am Hanuman speaking, I am Hanuman speaking. I won Lankapuri, overcame Ravan and dragged him to Patalpuri. I pulled Mother away and saved her from Ravan. After winning Lankapuri and reaching Ayodhya, then Ram, Lakshman and Janaki said to me, “Whatever your desire is, you can ask for it.” So I asked for five things. The first request was that I would be able to sit down with Ram, Lakshman and Janaki in Ayodhya. My second request was that I be allowed to take refreshment in Chitrakut, while they (the three deities) continued to rest on my shoulders. The third request was that I would be allowed to rest in Prayagraj, and that the three deities would dwell in my heart. [The priest did not mention the fourth and fifth things he had asked for.]

Every day we mix this color [orange] with ghee and this is rubbed all over the idol [a large stone idol of Hanuman, lying down]. Every morning we massage the idol with the mixture. Just like you’re seeing the boys rubbing this all over the idol. [Two or three attendants were rubbing the idol during the interview]. That’s what we do every day. We have to put a decoration on the idol.

It is not allowed that you should take pictures while the worship is going on. This is the time of worship, so don’t take any pictures.