If you have visited a Hanuman temple, you will have noticed his idol is often entirely coated in bright orange-red sindoor (vermilion). It is the most distinctive offering associated with Lord Hanuman. But why? The story behind this tradition is one of the most touching in Hindu devotion.
The Story
One day, Hanuman noticed Mata Sita applying sindoor to the parting of her hair. Curious, Hanuman asked her what she was doing.
Sita Ma explained that she applied sindoor in her maang (hair parting) as a sign of her love and devotion to Lord Ram — a prayer for his well-being and long life, the traditional mark of a devoted wife.
Hanuman was deeply moved. He was always looking for new ways to serve and please his beloved Lord Ram. He thought: “If Sita Ma applies a small amount of sindoor in her maang for Ram’s well-being, I shall apply sindoor all over my entire body so that Ram’s well-being is multiplied a thousandfold!”
He promptly covered his entire body from head to toe in bright orange sindoor.
When Lord Ram saw Hanuman and asked why he had covered himself in sindoor, Hanuman explained his reasoning. Ram was so touched by this supreme act of devotion that he declared: “Whosoever brings sindoor as an offering to my Hanuman shall have all their wishes fulfilled. Their devotion shall please me just as this act of Hanuman has pleased me.”
The Colour of Hanuman
This is why Hanuman’s idols are orange-red, why sindoor is his most beloved offering, and why his chola (cloth) is saffron-orange. The colour itself has become a symbol of devotion as pure and total as Hanuman’s.
How to Offer Sindoor
- Apply sindoor to the forehead of the idol first, using your ring finger
- Then offer sindoor at the feet
- On Tuesdays and Hanuman Jayanti, the entire idol is anointed with sindoor
- Sindoor mixed with jasmine oil is especially auspicious
For Women
Women can absolutely worship Hanuman and recite all his prayers. In many temples, the tradition is that women do not directly apply sindoor to the idol — as sindoor is also the symbol of marriage for women. Offering sindoor in a bowl and having a priest apply it is equally valid. Practices vary by region and family.
Jai Sindoori Bajrang Bali!