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Why all the idols of Lord Hanuman are colored in Red or Saffron?

Don't you wonder why all the idols of Lorn Hanuman are colored in red or saffron? This is common for all the temples across the world. Is there any story behind this applicaton of Red/Orange color Sindoor (Vermilion) to the idols of Lord Hanuman and does this tradition of applying Sindoor to Lord Hanuman hold any specific importance? Let's discuss the myth behind this tradition. 

Lord Hanuman is considered the most ardent devotee of Lord Shri Rama. He is the benchmark of devotion, selfless love, faith, and valor. There is a very interesting story about Sita Mata and Lord Hanuman which relates to the tradition of applying Sindoor. Sita Mata used to do the middle partition of her hair and apply Sindoor in the middle.

Out of curiosity Lord Hanuman asked Sita Mata about this red-colored powder on the forehead as a reply Sita Mata told Lord Hanuman that this red color is called Sindoor and applying this on the forehead would make Lord Rama happy and would Bless the Lord with a prosperous and long life. On hearing this Lord Hanuman quickly disappeared from the scene and return later with his whole body covered in Sindoor even his hair and clothes were all tainted with the red color Sindoor.

On seeing this new avatar of Hanuman, Lord Rama asked him about the reason for doing so. Lord Hanuman replied that Sita Mata had told him that applying Sindoor would make you (Lord Rama) happy and offer a prosperous life and so, I (hanuman) felt if a pinch of Sindoor can do this much then what would be the impact of covering the entire body with Sindoor.

Lord Rama got overwhelmed and gave a boon to the world that whoever apply Sindoor to Lord Hanuman would be blessed with a happy life and all their wishes would come true this is the reason why Sindoor is applied to the body of Hanuman. This Sindoor is mixed with Til oil and is called Chola Chandan. People also apply Sindoor from Hanuman Idol on the forehead 

Lord Shri Ram is the supreme personality of the godhead and Lord Hanuman knows this well however he still felt that applying Sindoor on his body would increase the lifespan of Lord Rama. This is nothing but just his Supreme love for the lord that is beyond all knowledge and Facts sometimes we also behave in such a childlike manner for example; in my family, if we get late in offering a bhog to Lord Krishna we get worried that the Lord would be hungry and we rush to make the preparations but we forget that Lord Krishna is Supreme and is beyond these offerings it's just a love for him that we panic and go beyond to retain connectivity with the Lord.

 

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