Hanuman in the City of Victory: A Tale of Faith, Power, and Divine Presence in Vijayanagara
In the heart of the historic Vijayanagara Empire, where grand temples rose and kings ruled with divine sanction, one figure stood out not just as a mythological hero but as a living symbol of strength, devotion, and protection — Hanuman, also known in the South as Anjaneya.
🏛️ The City of Gods and Kings
The rulers of Vijayanagara lived in a world shaped by both politics and faith. Though their capital was devoted to Virupaksha (a form of Shiva), they also revered Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, and Venkateshvara.
Among them, Hanuman stood out. Art historian Anila Verghese noted he was “the most ubiquitous of all the minor deities in Vijayanagara.” His figure adorned walls, pillars, and temples — always watching, always guarding.
🌬️ The Influence of the Madhva Tradition
This reverence was fueled by the Madhva Sampradaya, founded by Madhva (Anandatirtha) in the 13th century. He preached Dvaita (dualism), teaching that Vishnu is supreme and distinct from souls and matter.
They introduced the concept of Mukhya Prana — the chief life-force, identified with Vayu, the wind god and Vishnu’s eternal agent.
🔱 Hanuman as an Incarnation of Vayu
- Treta Yuga: Hanuman, servant of Rama
- Dwapara Yuga: Bhima, ally of Krishna
- Kali Yuga: Madhva himself, as spiritual guide
Hanuman thus became more than just a character — he was a cosmic incarnation of Vayu.
❤️ Why Hanuman Was So Loved
Hanuman symbolized strength, loyalty, and fearless devotion — essential in a kingdom surrounded by enemies. His worship gave people courage and a divine sense of protection.
Folk traditions in the Tulu region also merged with mainstream beliefs, further enhancing his worship.
🛕 Anjaneya – Guardian of Vijayanagara
Across temples and streets, Hanuman’s presence reminded people of resilience and divine aid. He was more than worshipped — he was felt.
In the City of Victory, Hanuman was the protector, the warrior, and the guide — a silent force watching over a sacred empire.
📚 Blog Summary
In the mighty Vijayanagara Empire, Hanuman was seen not just as a hero but as a cosmic force linked to Vayu through the teachings of Madhva philosophy. His images stood across temples and cityscapes, providing comfort, strength, and divine protection to the people. He was the eternal guardian of the City of Victory.
In the heart of the historic Vijayanagara Empire, where grand temples rose and kings ruled with divine sanction, one figure stood out not just as a mythological hero but as a living symbol of strength, devotion, and protection — Hanuman, also known in the South as Anjaneya.
🏛️ The City of Gods and Kings
The rulers of Vijayanagara lived in a world shaped by both politics and faith.
Though their capital city was dedicated to Virupaksha (a form of Lord Shiva), their devotion extended deeply to Vaishnava deities such as Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, and Venkateshvara.
Yet among all these gods, Hanuman emerged as the most beloved and widely worshipped — not just by commoners but even within royal circles.
Art historian Anila Verghese describes Hanuman as:
“The most ubiquitous of all the minor deities in Vijayanagara.”
Indeed, from intricate bas-reliefs on temple walls to towering stone pillars, his figure stood watch as a silent guardian across the empire.
🌬️ The Influence of the Madhva Tradition
This reverence for Hanuman was closely linked to the Madhva Sampradaya, a powerful philosophical and devotional movement founded by Madhva (Anandatirtha) in the 13th century.
Madhva was a strong proponent of Dvaita (dualism), in opposition to Advaita (non-dualism) by Adi Shankara.
He taught that:
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Vishnu is the only supreme reality
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Individual souls and matter are eternally distinct from Vishnu
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Worship and devotion are the path to salvation
One of Madhva's most unique ideas was the doctrine of Mukhya Prana — the chief cosmic life-force, identified with Vayu, the Vedic wind god.
In Madhva’s system, Vayu is Vishnu’s chosen agent, present in every age to assist the divine mission.
🔱 Hanuman as an Incarnation of Vayu
According to Madhva teachings, Vayu takes human form in different Yugas:
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In Treta Yuga, he appeared as Hanuman, the mighty devotee of Rama
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In Dwapara Yuga, he incarnated as Bhima, the powerful Pandava and Krishna’s ally
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In Kali Yuga, Vayu returned as Madhva himself — the teacher and spiritual liberator
Thus, Hanuman was not just a mythological hero, but a cosmic force — one of three divine incarnations of the same eternal energy, returning age after age to protect Dharma.
❤️ Why Hanuman Was So Loved in Vijayanagara
Hanuman embodied the timeless virtues of:
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Strength
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Loyalty
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Fearless service
These ideals resonated with the Vijayanagara people, especially as their empire often faced threats — both from Muslim sultanates and competing Hindu kingdoms.
His presence gave them a sense of divine protection and hope.
Additionally, his popularity drew from ancient folk traditions of the Tulu-speaking region of Karnataka, where Hanuman (Anjaneya) was venerated long before his iconography became part of royal temples.
🛕 Anjaneya – Guardian of Vijayanagara
In the temples, streets, and daily rituals of Vijayanagara, Hanuman’s image was never far away.
He was:
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A protector in stone
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A warrior in memory
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A symbol of divine reassurance
As art, religion, and royal authority merged in this magnificent city, Hanuman stood tall — a reminder that in every age, divine help walks among us.
📚 Blog Summary
In the mighty Vijayanagara Empire, Hanuman — or Anjaneya — was more than just a mythological figure.
He was a symbol of strength and spiritual power, rooted in the teachings of the Madhva tradition, which saw him as an incarnation of the cosmic life-force Vayu.
His images across temples and streets were not just artistic expressions but declarations of faith, loyalty, and divine guardianship.
In an age of political uncertainty and spiritual revival, Hanuman stood as the protector of Vijayanagara — the eternal guardian of the City of Victory.
