Anjaneri

Anjaneri is one of the forts in the mountain range of Nasik-Trimbakeshwar. Anjaneri is located 20 km away from Nasik by Trimbak Road.HistoryAnjaneri is one of the exquisite attractions of Nasik city, which is also an important fort in the Trimbakeshwar region. Situated at 4264 feet above sea level, Anjaneri is a spiritual place that lies between Nasik and Trimbakeshwar. Anjaneri is the birthplace of Hanuman, and is named after Hanuman's mother 'Anjani'. Anjaneri has major significance for devout and hikers alike. Hanuman spent his childhood and grew up on the same mountain.One hundred and eight Jain caves are found here belonging to 12th century.Birthplace ControversyAnjaneri is, according to Hindu texts, the birthplace of Hanuman. The Panchmukhi Hanuman held sacred as the 11th Rudra of Shiva. As Anjaneri is situated very close to the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, having powerful significance of the Trinity, represented by the three faces embodying Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu & Lord Mahesh(Shiva) at Trimbakeshwar ;it is unquestioningly the birthplace of God Hanuman. Secondly, only as the 11th Rudra is God Hanuman the embodiment of Shiva, and this image is Panchmukhi. This form of Hanuman as "Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami" (Anjaneya = "son of Anjani") is more famous in the South and some other parts of the world. Some of the famous places where this form is seen are: Kumbakonam and Thiruvallur, both in Tamil Nadu.Unlike Dattatreya who was born with three heads, or Ravana with ten heads, Hanuman was indeed born with one head. So where does this concept of a 5-headed Hanuman come from?It happened during the war between Rama and Ravana's armies in Lanka. As it so happens, two powerful rakshasa brothers Mahiravana and Ahiravana are fighting on the side of Ravana. In some scriptures they are said to be Ravana's sons and are summoned by their father to help him after many of Ravana's warriors and generals are killed.