One day, Hanuman observed Mother Sita smearing the parting of her hair with sindoor (vermilion). Wearing sindoor in the hair parting has been a symbol of married women, a ritual followed in India since ages. “Why are you applying sindoor in the hair parting?” a curious but innocent Hanuman asked Sita. Sita smiled gently at Hanuman and said, “To increase your Lord’s lifespan!” Hanuman found this absolutely awesome and asked Sita whether applying a pinch of sindoor would ensure long life for Ram. Sita blushed at this and replied, “Yes, Hanuman; that is what everyone believes.” Hanuman thought for a while and hurried to look for sindoor. He tore open many sacks of sindoor and dumped the entire sacks on himself. Having covered himself from head to toe in vermilion, he rolled in the heap of the red powder on the ground!
Hanuman Puts on Sindoor
