Lucknow
Lucknow, the capital of India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh. The city spread on both sides of the river Gomti, a tributary of the Ganga. The old lifestyle is well known for its elegance, hospitality, and rich culture, but that evocative lifestyle is long gone by. Only what's left is still found in the people's mannerisms and habits. Lucknow was the abode of the Nawabs of Avadh, and their regal pastimes and pleasures were legendary. They refined their formal speech, were fond of song and dance, and nurtured Urdu verse as well as the Kathak school of courtly dances.
Their monuments excelled in the use of arches, pavilions, and domes. Lucknow is also associated with its legendary hospitality, leisurely moods of life, and fabled edifices steeped in history. Tremors of time have not effaced Lucknow of its cultural heritage and traditions, which once contributed to creating a city incomparable in its times.
Lucknow the Lakshmanpuri
![Hanuman Badi [old], Aliganj, Lucknow](lucknow_old_templ.jpg "Hanuman Badi [old], Aliganj, Lucknow")
Long before the Nawabs of Avadh, the city was known by the name Lakshmanpuri, the name it derived from Lakshman, brother of Lord Sri Rama of Ayodhya.
This great city has a brilliant small temple built by the Nawabs for Lord Hanuman. Even today here people from both faiths come to offer their prayers. This temple is situated in Aliganj, on the outskirts of the city. There are two temples for Hanuman in Aliganj, both attracting many devotees, especially for the Bada Mangal.
LEGEND
Sri Ram Sevaks' ordeal.
It was a painful decision for Lord Ram to take. A decision that the Lord Ram had taken because of one single citizen who had expressed doubt. But as per the raj dharma followed by Lord Ram, it was decided to send Mata Sita to the forest. Sri Ram calls his brother Sri Laxmana and also Sri Hanumanji and tells them about his decision. He places the ordeal of leaving Sita Mata in the forest to these two. Both of them felt as if the heavens had fallen, but their faith in the Lord Rama was such that they could not disobey the wishes of their Lord.
Sri Sita Mata and Lord Hanuman
Sri Lakshman and Sri Hanuman escorted Sita Mata to the forest. All three left the capital city of Ayodhya and started moving towards the forest. Rishi Madvya was having his ashram on the banks of the river Gomti. There were lots of ponds with lotus flowering in them near the ashram, making the atmosphere even more serene. When all three of these were near the Rishi Madvya's ashram, the sun was about to set. Sri Lakshman thought that they could stay in the ashram for the night and proceed further the next day. But Sita Mata wished it the other way.
The place where Sita Mata had rested for the night on the banks of the river Gomti under the protection of Sri Hanuman had got recognition and was known by the name Hanuman Badi.
As per the tradition, it was felt that crossing a river meant that the territory had been crossed. Therefore, Sita Mata wished that they crossed the nearby river Gomti; thereby, they would be fulfilling the wishes of Lord Rama of having left the territory of Ayodhya. It was then decided that Lakshman would perform his evening ritual in the ashram and join Sri Hanuman and Sita Mata on the other side of the Gomti. Sri Hanuman had escorted Sita Mata safely to the other bank of the river Gomti. Sita Mata was requested by Sri Hanuman to be comfortable, and Sri Hanuman stayed awake protecting Sita Mataji. Sri Lakshman could not make it to the other side of the river Gomti and had to stay back on the Ayodhya side of the river for the night. Therefore, Sri Hanuman had to stay awake throughout the night protecting Sita Mata on the banks of the river Gomti.
Hanuman Badi
The place where Sita Mata had rested for the night on the banks of the river Gomti under the protection of Sri Hanuman had got recognition and was known by the name Hanuman Badi. Time to come, the bhakthas of Lord Hanuman built a small temple on the spot for the Lord. This is the popular Old Hanuman temple of the present Aliganj. During the fourteenth century this place, 'Hanuman Badi,' was renamed as 'Islam Badi' by the then rulers.
During the reign of the Nawabs, the administration of the Old Hanuman temple was taken over by the rulers. During this time, this temple had built a relationship with the Badi Chawni of Ayodhya. Begam Aliya, who is married to the Chatrakuwar family, was a strong follower and devotee of the Lord Hanuman of this temple. She used to visit the temple very regularly and was instrumental in the renovation of the temple during that time. She had a big tank built when the temple was renovated.
Grace of Hanuman of this Badi
During the year 1783, a Marwari trader came with a lot of kesar and kasturi to Lakshmanpuri for trading. He visited many places in and around Lakshmanpuri to sell his commodities. Normally the kesar and kasturi are used in puja; therefore, he also visited many places of worship to sell his goods. After two or three long days of trial, he could not sell any of his material. He was tired and also astonished that such materials could not be sold in such a wealthy place as Lakshmanpuri. It was nearing the sunset, and the trader had a wash and visited the nearby temple.
He had a peaceful darshan of Hanuman and offered his prayers to Him. The trader pleaded with the Lord to do something so that he would be able to sell his goods and go back to meet his family in Marwar. He retired to the nearby dharmsala for the night. The pleasant winds started blowing, and the fragrance of the kesar and kasturi stored by him in dharmsala traveled along the mild wind for long distances. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and his Begam were on their evening stroll and found the fragrance of the kasturi irresistible. Immediately the deputy was summoned and asked to find out from where the fragrance was coming. It was traced to the Marwari trader who was resting in the dharmsala. He was produced before the Nawab and Begam. The Begam had bought all the kesar and kasturi the trader had for a good price.
The trader was so happy about the transaction, and he was so grateful to the Lord for ending his woe so quickly. He again went to the Lord and offered his prayers. Later he donated many things to the temple. Should we have to say that the Lord is none other than Lord Hanuman and the temple is the Old Hanuman Temple of Aliganj?
The crescent and star seen on the temple tower are documented to have been installed after the 'punar uddharan' of the temple done during the time of the Begam. Begam Aliya was so devoted to the Lord Hanuman that her son Sahadad Ali Khan was named Mangulu.
Location of the temple: "Purana Sri Hanuman Mandir, Aliganj, Lucknow"
Experience
The temple is small, and the Hanuman murthi is small, but it is seen to be believed that how Sri Hanumanji of Hanuman Badi, the protector and rakshak, protects the devotees from any and all evils hovering around them.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
[ed 29.01.03]
Updates: Jan 2025]