TulsiDas
Sri Tulsi Das is a familiar name for Sri Hanuman devotees, he happens to be a great saint. Saint Sri Tulsi Das had given us the great epic of Sri Ramayana in Awadhi language which happens to be the native language in this district. Despite being a scholar in the Sanskrit language, he was ordained to write the epic in Awadhi so that a common man could recite this holy script. The saint with great knowledge had retold Sri Ramayana and had the epic titled ‘Rama Charit Manas’. He had plotted the manas as Sri Siva rendering the story of Sri Ramachandra, thus bringing unity among the followers of Sri Siva and Sri Vishnu. It was revolutionary on his part to bring this unity among these two groups of Sanatana Dharma followers of that time.
Rambola leaves Rajapur
Sri Tulsidas was born to Sri Athmaram (a Saryupareen Brahmin) and Hulsi in the village Rajapur in the present Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh. Right at birth the boy uttered ‘Ram’ hence called Rambola.
The child was born under the Abhuktamūla constellation, which according to Jyotisha (Hindu astrology) causes immediate danger to the life of the father. Due to the inauspicious events at the time of his birth, he was abandoned by his parents on the fourth night. He was subsequently sent away with Chuniya, a female servant of Hulsi.
During his stay at Rajapur, as per the divine direction, Sri Tulsi Das would visit a village named NAndhi near Rajapur. Naandhi means joy, satisfaction, and delight, in general. He was a regular visitor to Naandhi for offering his prayers to Sri Hanumanji of this village. This particular murti of Sri Hanuman is Siddhi Hanuman and it was well-known that many saints had initiated tantric powers on this murti earlier.
She took the child to her village of Haripur and looked after him for five and a half years after which she died. Rambola was left to fend for himself as an impoverished orphan and wandered from door to door begging for alms.
Rambola to Tulsidas
Rambola was subsequently adopted by Narharidas, a Vaishnava ascetic of Ramananda's monastic order. Narharidas is believed to be the fourth disciple of Ramananda. Rambola was given the Virakta Diksha (Vairagi initiation) with the new name of Tulsidas.
Tulsidas was then given proper education on various aspects of Sanatana Dharma. After a few years, he was given initiation to the narration of Srimath Ramayana of Saint Valmiki by his guru. Thereafter Sri Tulsidas was popular for being an exponent of Ramayana pravachana [discourse].
Tulsidas Revisit to Rajapur
As the Rajapur village was undergoing some bad patch of time, people from Rajapur village approached Tulsidas to grace the village, without knowing that he is their Rambola. On an auspicious day, he set forth to the village. The village elders welcomed him and as arranged he gave a discourse on Ramayana in his village.
Sri Tulsidas and Naandhi Sri Hanuman
During his stay at Rajapur, as per the divine direction, Sri Tulsi Das would visit a village named NAndhi near Rajapur. Naandhi means joy, satisfaction, and delight, in general. He was a regular visitor to Naandhi for offering his prayers to Sri Hanumanji of this village. This particular murti of Sri Hanuman is Siddhi Hanuman and it was well-known that many saints had initiated tantric powers on this murti earlier. He continued his deep meditation in the presence of Siddhi Hanuman. In due course of time, the people of Rajapur found a quantum change in their prospects after the arrival of Sri Tulsidas and his discourse of Srimath Ramayana. The rains became regular, crops started growing in abundance. This led to prosperity and happiness among the people of Rajapur.
Mantra roopa Sri Hanuman at Rajapur
Once there was a flood in the river which prevented Sri Tulsidas from going to the village NAndhi. He meditated upon Sri Hanuman of NAndhi sitting on the banks of the flooded river. He had a divine direction from Sri Hanuman of NAndhi that he would present himself in Rajapur itself in the sandalwood paste prepared by him. He could initiate NAndhi Hanuman [Thantric roopa] in the sandalwood paste in Manthra roopa.
Kindly see “Sri Sankata Mochan Hanuman of Rajapur Chitrakoot Utter Pradesh” for details about Manthra roopa Hanuman
Siddhi Hanuman of Naandhi
Sri Hanuman of this kshetra had been worshiped by many saints of the past. They had initiated tantric powers in the murti of this kshetra therefore Sri Hanuman of this kshetra is known as Nandhi Siddha Hanuman, meaning one who bestows joy, satisfaction, delight, and prosperity. Because of the presence of this powerful Hanuman, this village itself got the name Naandhi.
Sri Hanuman of this kshetra is a swayambhu. Sri Hanuman is seen from the side and seen as walking. Only the left lotus feet of the Lord are visible, while the right feet are only half outside the ground level and the rest of the portion is below the earth. Lord's tail is seen raised above the head. The right hand is seen giving ‘abay’ to the devotee.
Temple Complex
The temple complex is huge, and the big peepal tree in front of the main entrance gives a pleasant atmosphere for offering prayers and meditation. Ram Charit Manas is recited regularly in this kshetra and people from surrounding villages join for this Sri Ramayana yagya.
Location of the temple: Sri Siddhi Hanuman of Naandhi, Chitrakoot, Utter Pradesh
Experience
Darshan of Naandhi Siddha Hanuman in the background of Manas pat is a delight and sure to give joy to the devotees.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [February 2017]
Updates: [Jan 2025]