According to the Hindu epic ‘Ramayanam’, Hanuman was born to the queen Anjana Devi (a supernatural woman cursed into a monkey’s form) and her spouse King Kesari. Anjana, who was childless, prayed to Lord Shiva to give her a child. After her long devotion to Shiva, Vayu Bhagvan Mayut (the God of wind) granted her a son. Hence the boy was also known as Pavan putra, meaning Pavan-wind, putra-son.

As a child the young deity Hanuman was very naughty. Once he swallowed the sun, thinking it was a fruit. Indra, the king of Gods, smote him for his behavior and he lay lifeless. Infuriated by this, Mayut stopped the winds from blowing, resulting in the whole world struggling for breath. After Indra apologized for his rash behavior Lord Brahma restored Hanuman to life and granted gifts by an assemblage of gods. Due to these gifts he is also called Mahabali, or the mighty one. Additionally Hanuman is known by different names in different states of India like Anjeneya, Bajrang bali, and Maruti. Hanuman was devotee of Lord Ram and has played an important role with Lord Ram in the war against Demon Ravanan. Hanuman is said to have been born on Anjaneya Hill in Hampi, where a popular temple marks the spot.