The Hanuman temple located in the Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh is a unique place of worship that depicts Hanuman in a form that is not commonly portrayed in Hindu mythology. Unlike his traditional portrayal as a celibate child, Hanuman is depicted in this temple in the form of a householder, along with his wife Suvarchala.
The portrayal of Hanuman in this form is based on a lesser-known story from the Parashar code, which describes Hanuman's marriage. According to the story, Hanuman had made Lord Surya his Guru and was receiving education from him. However, Surya could not stay in one place for long, and Hanuman had to fly along with his chariot all day to receive his teachings.
During his education, Hanuman learned five out of nine types of education from Surya. But the remaining four types of education and knowledge could only be imparted to a married person. Hanuman was determined to receive a complete education and was not willing to settle for anything less. This created a religious crisis for Surya, as he could not teach Hanuman the remaining knowledge due to his unmarried status.
To overcome this obstacle, Surya Dev advised Hanuman to get married. Hanuman agreed to fulfill his vow and take an education after getting married. However, there was a dilemma about who would be the bride for Hanuman, and where to find her.
Surya Dev prepared his daughter Suvarchala, who was a supreme ascetic and stunning, for marriage with Hanuman. Hanuman married Suvarchala to fulfill his vow, and after completing his education, Suvarchala devoted herself to penance forever.
The temple in Khammam district is a reminder of this story, and it is believed that it was built in the 14th century. Despite being married, Hanuman is still considered celibate, and his marriage was solely for the purpose of fulfilling his vow to receive a complete education.
The story of Hanuman's marriage is not widely known, and this temple serves as a unique representation of this aspect of Hanuman's life. The temple is considered a significant pilgrimage site by devotees of Hanuman, and it attracts thousands of visitors every year.
The Hanuman temple in Khammam district is a unique representation of Hanuman's life and a reminder of his lesser-known story of a marriage. Hanuman's marriage to Suvarchala was solely for the purpose of fulfilling his vow to receive complete education, and he remains celibate despite being married. The temple serves as a significant pilgrimage site for devotees of Hanuman and is a testament to the diversity of Hindu mythology.
