HANUMAN

The Monkey God and the chief of the army of monkeys, Hanuman is also known for his lifelong bachelorhood. In the Ramayana, he helped Rama to defeat the demon king Ravana and to bring back his stolen wife Sita from Lanka (Ceylon). He could convert himself into a creature of any size, small or extremely huge. As mythology has it, he had leapt from the present Indian subcontinent to the island of Sri Lanka.

Hanuman is often found in pictures with Sita and Ram. His statues are also found in many places of Nepal. In Nepal, his images are usually covered with a thick Vermillion mixed with mustard oil and often dressed in red cloth with red or golden umbrella over his head. Being symbolic to courage, loyalty and bravery, he is especially venerated by princes and warriors.