Per some regional traditions, Lord Hanuman has two wives, named Suvarchala Devi and Anangkusuma. He also had a fleeting affair with Suvarnamachchha per the Thai version of Ramayana. Traditionally, Lord Hanuman is believed to be celibate and is a symbol of celibacy in Hinduism. The stories about his marriage do not appear in the Ramayana but are folklore mainly. There is a temple of his wife, Suvarchala Devi, who is the daughter of Sun God, in Telangana.
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Why did Anjaneya Hanuman Marry Suvarchala Devi?
Lord Surya (Sun God) is the guru of Lord Hanuman. Once, he requested him to give him all the knowledge he had. Lord Surya taught him everything, including Vedas and other knowledge, but did not teach him Nava Vyakarana (nine grammars). When asked for the reason, Surya Deva told him that only a married person was eligible to get the knowledge of Nava Vyakarana, but Lord Hanuman was an ardent celibate. Therefore, he was not eligible for the knowledge.
It was necessary for the future plans of Trimurti that Lord Hanuman had all forms of knowledge. Therefore, they requested Lord Surya to create a celibate girl to get married to Anjaneya Hanuman. Lord Surya accepted their request and created Suvarchala, who was Aajanma Brahmacharini, just like Lord Hanuman. They both got married and thus, Bajrang Bali became a Grihastha without affecting his celibacy. The marriage took place on Jyeshtha Shuddha Dashami.
After his marriage to Suvarchala Devi, he learned Nava Vyakarana. He spent his life serving Lord Rama afterward and remained celibate. Therefore, he is still a symbol of celibacy and power for Hindus.
Why Did Anjaneya Hanuman Marry Anangkusuma, the Daughter of Ravana?
Once, there was a war between Lord Varuna and Ravana. Lord Hanuman fought for Varunha and defeated Ravana’s army. He also imprisoned his sons. Ravana signed a peace treaty with Lord Varuna on the condition that Bajrang Bali would marry his daughter, Anangkusuma.
Anangkusuma was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and wanted to marry him. Lord Shiva had blessed her that he would marry her in one of his incarnation forms. Bajrang Bali is a Rudravatar and hence is an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Lord Hanuman agreed to marry her on one condition that he would remain celibate, and there would be no physical relation between them. Ravana and his daughter agreed to the condition, and Lord Hanuman got married to Anangkusuma.
Suvannamaccha Got Pregnant From Lord Hanuman:
This story is found in Thai and some Southeast versions Asian of Ramayana. When Lord Rama and his Vanara army were building the bridge to Lanka, they used to throw big rocks into the sea. But they found that the next day the rocks were gone.
Hanuman asks for volunteers to join him while he instructs the others to continue throwing rocks into the sea. When several volunteers have stepped forward Hanuman leads them into the waves. They find a large number of mermaids underwater. As they watch, a new rock is tossed in. The mermaids living underwater take the rocks and carry them away. Hanuman looks for their leader. He spots a lovely mermaid supervising the others. He swims towards her, but she skillfully evades him. Time and again he begins an attack, but it comes to nothing.
Hanuman finds he is falling in love with the creature. He changes his tactics and begins to silently woo her. She responds to him and soon they are together at the bottom of the sea.
Later, Hanuman asks the mermaid why she is stealing the rocks. She tells him that she is Suvannamaccha, a daughter of Ravana (the demon who had abducted Sita). When Ravana saw Hanuman’s Vanaras building a causeway he instructed Suvannamaccha to stop it. Hanuman tells the mermaid why he is building the causeway. He tells her of the abduction of Sita, the battle between Rama and her father Ravana, and why they started to build a bridge to reach Lanka.
Suvannamaccha turned to Hanuman, and her eyes were filled with love. No more, she said, would she prevent Hanuman from completing his mission. Her mermaids underwater would return all the stolen rocks to the causeway.
They parted as lovers part, but it was not to be the end for them. Hanuman had left a seed with Suvannamaccha, and soon she would give birth to their son, Macchanu.
The Temple of Suvarchala and Hanuman:
Sri Suvarchala Sahitha Hanuman Temple is located near Mahabubabad crossroad, DSP Office Yellandu, Khammam District, Telangana, The Great India.
Bhagwan Hanuman and his wife Suvarchala Devi are worshiped in this temple. This ancient temple built here has been the center of attraction for the people for years. The local people celebrate the marriage of Anjaneya Hanuman on Jyeshtha Shuddha Dashami.
Conclusion:
All the stories about Lord Hanuman’s marriages and affairs are not found in mainstream books, like Valmiki Ramayana or Puranas. These are folktales and are not authentic. They are good for entertainment only. Most of the Hindus believe that Anjaneya Hanuman never got married and is an ardent celibate.
References:
1. The Temple of Suvarchala Devi.
2. Suvarchala Devi.