Lord Hanuman's most powerful temple where he first met Lord Ram

Lord Hanuman, one of the most powerful and devoted Gods in Hinduism. He is the epitome of strength, devotion, compassion, and love. For his Lord, Ram, Hanuman is the supreme devotee, forever chanting his name and sitting in jap of him, and for his devotees he is the all powerful one always ready to help those who need him.
Lord Hanuman is one of the most important figures in the Ramayana. He did not just help revive Lakshman but also set Lanka on fire and was eventually given the boon of immortality by Shri Ram to stay near Earth and help those who need him.

While there are many different stories about how Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman first met, the most important one is when Lord Hanuman was with King Sugriva.
One fine day, as the two sat together, Sugriva saw Ram and Lakshman and was scared that the two were sent by his brother Vaali to kill him. He asks Hanuman to go up to the two and ask them who they are and their intentions. Hanuman then takes the form of a ‘Sadhu’, approaches them, and narrates the story of Sugriva. Through their conversation, Hanuman soon realised the divine nature of Lord Ram and Sugriva was then made an ally of Ram and Lakshman in their quest to find Mata Sita.

In the beautiful town of Hampi, there is now a temple constructed where Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman first met. The Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple is now known to be one of the most powerful temples of Lord Hanuman as it is the place where he met his ‘Rama’ the first time. The name ‘Yantrodharaka’ translates to ‘one who holds a yantra’.
People and devotees come here from all over India and the world to experience the power and devotion that his place contains.

(Image: @Durga_jha10/X)

Similar to many other temples in India, the Yantrodharaka too has many tales linked to it. One popular legend says that the temple was established by the great Hindu sage, Sri Vyasaraja. According to beliefs, Sage Vyasaraja used to pray to Lord Hanuman everyday near that site and he used to draw a picture of Lord Hanuman using charcoal. The picture used to go away on its own everyday once the sage was done praying. Impressed by his devotion, Hanuman ji granted him a vision and instructed him to install an idol of Hanuman within a yantra. This carving with Lord Hanuman sitting between a mystical yantra is said to be the source of all energy.

One of the most unique features of the Yantrodharaka Temple is how Lord Hanuman is depicted. Usually, Lord Hanuman is portrayed flying or standing up with the Dronagiri, but here he is seated inside or in the middle of a Yantra with something between his hands. Hanuman ji looks calm and peaceful, as if he is in deep meditation controlling the world using the yantra.

It is said that this yantra shows and represents the universe and Hanuman ji sitting right in the middle shows how he controls the energies and the power around the world.

(Image: Explore Hampi Tours/Facebook)

While the temple is primarily famous for being the meeting point of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman, people have always talked about the energy present over there. It is said that devotees of both Lord Ram and Hanuman feel a higher energy in that spot, especially after they see and sense the yantra, and it fills them with a deep sense of calm and peace. The combination of the yantra and Hanuman ji fills the area with such positive and divine energies that it is unparalleled. Plus, another reason for the immense energy of that temple is that it is believed that Sage Vyasaraja wrote the Yantrodharaka stotra at this temple only.