Lord Hanumana is famous for his devotion towards Lord Rama. He helped him tremendously in getting back Sita from the clutches of Ravana, the demon king. His famous exploit was burning the Lanka city. Here are few more facts about him, which are not famous but interesting.

Hanuman was Lord Shiva’s Incarnation

Anjana, a beautiful Apsara in celestial palace court of Lord Brahma was cursed by a sage that, the moment she fell in love she would become monkey faced. Brahma thought of helping her and she took birth on earth. Anjana met Kesari, the monkey king and they both married. Being an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, she kept on doing tapasya. Lord Shiva was impressed and she wished him to be her son so that she would be freed from the curse of the sage.

Few days later, King Dasrath was performing Yagna after which the sage gave him a kheer to feed all his wives. A portion of Kaushlya, the elder wive’s kheer was snatched by a kite who flew all the way where Anjana was meditating. Lord Vayu (aka Pawan – Wind) on the signal of Lord Shiva kept the kheer in Anjana’s hand. Thinking it as Lord Shiva’s prasad Anjana ate it and thus was born Lord Shiva’s incarnation - Anjaneya the son of Anjana who is well known as Pawan Putra, the son of the Lord of Winds. Vayu’s other name was Maruti and so Hanuman is also called Maruti.

The name Hanuman means Disfigured Jaw

In Sanskrit Hanu means Jaw and man means disfigured so Hanuman means disfigured jaw. No wonder, Hanuman’s jaw as a kid was disfigured by none other than Lord Indra who had used his vajra (Thunderbolt) against Anjaneya, who took sun as a riped mango and even went to trace it up in the sky. It was here in the sky that Lord Indra had used his vajra which threw Anjaneya straight on the earth damaging his jaw forever.

Hanuman Once Applied Sindoor All Over His Body for Lord Rama’s Long Life

When Hanuman saw Sita applying Sindoor (Vermillion) in her hair, he asked the reason for the same. Sita replied that it was for long life and well being of Lord Rama, her husband. Hanuman, the biggest devotee of Rama thought if a pinch of sindoor in the hair can increase the longevity of Lord Rama then why not apply on the entire body.

He then applied sindoor all over his body for Rama’s long life. Seeing this innocence and unmatched devotion of Hanuman, Lord Rama gave him a vardan (blessings) that whenever the name of devotion takes place, Hanuman’s name will be taken first. Also, whoever will pay respect to Hanuman on Tuesday, not only will his/her wishes come true but will also be dear to Lord Rama himself.

A Mighty Fish Conceived Hanuman’s Son Makar Dhwaja

Hanuman’s Son Makar Dhwaja was born to a mighty fish of the1 same name when Hanuman after burning the entire Lanka with his tail had dipped in the sea to cool off his body. It is said that his sweat was swallowed by the fish and thus was Makar Dhwaja conceived. The fish was caught by Ravana’s step brother Ahiravana who ruled Patal, the nether world. When Makar Dhwaja grew up, Ahiravana was impressed by his strength and virility. He then made him his soldier.

Hanuman had lost in a duel with Makar Dhwaja when he went to rescue Rama and Laxman whom Ahiravana had kidnapped. Later, Hanuman killed Ahiravana and made his son Makardhwaja, the king and left the place with Lord Rama and his brother Laxman.

He defeated his son to save Rama and Lakshmana

According to Ramayana told by Valmiki, when Ahiravana took Rama and Lakshmana to Patala, Hanuman followed them to their rescue. He was challenged at the gate of Patala by a creature, who was part Vanara and part reptile - a Makara. He introduced himself Makaradhwaja and son of Hanuman, the mighty warrior.
Hanuman was amused and said that, I am myself the Hanumana but he could not be his son, as he was celibate since birth. However, Hanumana then closed his eyes in dhyan to see the events described above of Makardhwaja's birth.
Makardhwaja asked him for his blessings, however, he said to Hanuman, that he will have to fight him to enter Patala, as he cannot betray Ahiravana, his mentor. Hanuman defeats Makaradhwaja in a duel and binds him to proceed further to ultimately kill Ahiravana and rescue Rama, Lakshamana.
Later on, upon Rama;s advice he installed Makardhwaja, as King of Patala before returning to Lanka, to continue war with Ravana.