Who Was the Wife of the Mighty Lord Hanuman?

Lord Hanuman, the monkey god, has a special place in the hearts of Hindus. His devotion and loyalty toward Lord Rama have endeared him to many who grew up hearing the Ramayana. 

Hanuman was famous not only for his devotion but also for his strength and compassion. 

While some accounts claim that he remained celibate to serve Rama, other myths suggest that he had a wife named Suvarchala and a son named Makardhwaja.

Lord Hanuman was born to an Apsara called Anjana and the king of monkeys, called Kesari. As Vayu, the wind god, played a role in his birth, he is also regarded as Hanuman’s father. 

Hanuman plays a key role in the Ramayana epic. He helped find and rescue Rama's wife, Sita, from the clutches of the demon king Ravana. 

Hanuman had many powers and exceptional qualities. He was as strong as a mountain, and he was blessed with numerous Siddhis, or occult powers, that enabled him to perform many extraordinary feats. 

He was so devoted to Lord Rama that his heart bore the images of Rama and Sita within it. 

Hanuman's courage, humility, and faith continue to inspire millions of people in today’s world.  He is the essence of devotion and loyalty.

Hanuman’s Wife

Hanuman had taken a vow of celibacy, so many believe that he had no wife. 

He was known for his self-discipline and dedicated his life to serving Rama. Hence, he had no interest in marriage, as it would have distracted him from his life’s purpose of serving Rama.

However, some regional folk tales claim that Hanuman had a wife, called Suvarchala Devi. 

Suvarchala Devi was supposedly the daughter of Surya, the Sun god. The name Suvarchala means "one with beautiful rays," signifying her radiant beauty and her connection to the Sun god, Surya.

But, such claims are not corroborated by the Ramayana or the Mahabharata. 

There are mainly 2 accounts of Hanuman’s marriage to Suvarchala.

Hanuman Tests Suvarchala

One version of the story claims that Suvarchala was deeply devoted to her father, Surya. Intending to test her devotion, Hanuman approached her in the form of a small boy. 

Unaware of the boy's true identity, Suvarchala welcomed him and offered him her daily oblations to Surya.

Impressed, Hanuman revealed his true form and expressed his wish to marry her. Overwhelmed by Hanuman's charm and divine aura, she agreed.

Surya blessed Hanuman by giving him the boon of eternal youth. Hence, Hanuman always remains youthful and ageless. 

Surya’s Guru Dakshina

However, another story claims that the marriage was rather unusual because it was meant as Hanuman’s Guru Dakshina (a gift given to a teacher) to Surya. Also, it helped Hanuman maintain his vow of celibacy. 

Suvarchala was a lifelong Brahmacharini. A story about her is found in the Parasara Samhita.

 According to Maharishi Parasara, Hanuman was a disciple of Surya and learned the Vedas under him. However, there was one important scripture called the Nava Vyakarnas (the nine grammars) that he could not study, as it was meant for householders or married men. However, Hanuman had taken a vow of celibacy.

With the aim of helping Hanuman complete his education, the Trimurti, comprising Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, approached Surya and created a beautiful woman, Suvarchala Devi, from the sun's rays.

Suvarchala was an Ayonijah, which means that she was not born from a womb. Once Hanuman married her, he became a ‘Grihasth,’ a person who has the responsibilities of a householder.

It was not easy to convince Hanuman to marry. Initially, he refused to marry Suvarchala. But Surya, as his guru, asked Hanuman to marry Suvarchala as a form of Guru Dakshina (a token of gratitude to one’s teacher).

Surya told Hanuman that Suvarchala was a divine being and granted him the boon that even after the marriage, he would remain a celibate or Brahmachari. He also added that the marriage was primarily for the benefit of the Universe and would not alter his chosen path of celibacy.

Thus, Suvarchala married Hanuman. Immediately after the marriage, she dedicated herself to Tapasya (austerities).

Worship of Suvarchala Devi

In South India, Suvarchala Devi is often worshipped along with Hanuman in temples dedicated to them. One such temple is in Khammam, Andhra Pradesh. 

 The temple is around 220 km from Hyderabad, Telangana. Devotees believe that they will be blessed with marital harmony if they worship Hanuman here.

The marriage of Suvarchala Devi and Lord Hanuman was a union that happened for the greater good. Even though Hanuman may have married her, according to some accounts, he remained celibate to uphold his vow.