The Divine Connection of Hanuman and Rama: A Journey Through Wadala
Bhakthavatsala
There is a Namavali Bhakthavatsalaha; this Namavali, when loosely translated, means ‘one who is kind and gracious towards his devotees.’ In Namavalis of almost all deities, this Namavali could be found. This Namavali is found in ‘Sri Hanumath Ashtothram’ also, and we know that Hanuman is gracious and kind towards His devotees. We also know that He is an illustrious devotee of Sri Rama.
In Rama's Namavali, we interestingly find two Namas devoted to His devotees, the first being ‘Bhakta Janne Priya’ and the second being ‘Bhakta Priya.’. Therefore, it is no wonder that Rama is kindly disposed towards His devotees. Sri Rama's best and foremost devotee is Shri Hanuman. Thus, Sri Rama would naturally call on Sri Hanuman at any time.
Wadala Sri Ram Mandir
An incident, which took place in Mumbai, brought out the love Sri Rama had for his devotee Sri Hanuman.
In the mid-19th century, Gowd Saraswat Brahmin community people of Mumbai who are followers of Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Mutt, Partagali, were on the lookout for a suitable place for building a temple for Sri Rama. After a search, they zeroed in on a plot in Wadala.
Sri Ram, Sri Lakshman, Sita Devi, and Sri Hanuman vigrahas were sculpted. Interestingly, just before the inauguration of the temple, Paramguru Shrimad Dwarakanath Teerth had a divine thought. There is an ancient Hanuman temple in front of Rama Mandir Wadala on the other side of the road, and therefore, no separate vigraha of Sri Hanuman is required to be installed. After the Sri Rama temple was built, the idols of Sri Ram, Sri Lakshman, and Sita Devi were consecrated in 1965.
He thought Hanuman there would be happy that He would be able to have darshan of Sri Rama all the time [anu-denam].
Curiously, it can also be that Lord Rama had chosen this place to give darshan to Sri Hanuman all the time.
The ruler of the island then while on a visit had found a rock in which a figure of Sri Maruti was naturally formed. An ardent devotee of Sri Maruti he wanted to install the same in his place of choice. He started transporting the rock to his desired place. But moving a rock to the place of his desire turned out to be HIS desire. When the thus found ‘swayambhu’ Sri Maruti was moved, the convoy got stuck at one particular place.
Wadala
Wadala village is on one of the Seven Islands of Bombay that were joined to form modern-day Mumbai. The island was previously called Parel, Matunga, Dharavi, or Sion.
Since Vadala [वादळ] means storm or whirlwind, indicating that this part of the then island, could have been a forest, wasteland, or jungle of shrubs.
Legend of Wadala Hanuman
The ruler of the island then while on a visit had found a rock in which a figure of Sri Maruti was naturally formed. An ardent devotee of Sri Maruti he wanted to install the same in his place of choice. He started transporting the rock to his desired place. But moving a rock to the place of his desire turned out to be HIS desire.
When the thus found ‘swayambhu’ Sri Maruti was moved, the convoy got stuck at one particular place. The ruler’s efforts to move the vigraha became futile. The king then understood that HE would like to be at that particular spot, he then arranged ‘pradishta’ of the ‘swayambhu vigraha’ at the very same place.
Wadala Hanuman Mandir
The legend described above is said to have happened somewhere near during the fifteenth century. Over time reasons better known to Sri Maruti, the worship discontinued until, in the mid-eighteenth century the swayambhu vigraha was rediscovered, rather Sri Maruti had resurfaced or reemerged to bless His devotees.
Now for the last 150 years, the poojas are performed, and slowly temple for Sri Maruti started taking shape. The temple today has idols of other deities including Sri Dattatreya and Sri Ganesha. The main hall walls are adorned with paintings depicting various events from the life of the Lord. An old painting of Sri Rama Pattabishekam where ladies are giving aarti to the Lord is prominently seen.
This temple could be said to be the most ancient Hanuman temple in Mumbai. He attracts a huge number of devotees on Tuesday and Saturday.
The sanctity of Sri Hanuman and this kshetra could be well inferred from the fact that Sri Rama chose to give darshan to His ardent devotees all the time.
Wadala Albela Hanuman
Garbhagraha is right in front of the main entrance to the temple. One can have the darshan of the Lord from the entrance. Garbhagraha has the backdrop of silver artwork depicting Lord Rama, Sri Sita, and Lakshman; with Dasa Maruti, and Sri Angath on either side of this assemblage.
Sri Albela Hanuman is against this backdrop in the garbhagraha. The idol of Lord Hanuman has a large base and it is very difficult to know the posture of the Lord. He seems to be in a sitting posture. The idol is completely covered with sindhuram[vermilion paste], and the Lord’s mouth portion and mustache can be seen.
Location of the temple: "Sri Albela Hanuman Mandir, Wadala, Mumbai"
Experience
Have darshan of Sri Hanuman of this kshetra, the protector of Sri Rama’s devotees. He is sure to protect us, too, if we stand by dharma as Vibheeshana stood.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [March 2025]