What food Hanuman likes?

Hanuman is one of the most beloved and worshipped figures in Hindu mythology. As a devotee of Rama, Hanuman is known for his strength, courage and selfless devotion. He is often called upon by devotees for his strength and protection. When it comes to food and eating habits, Hanuman has some unique likes and dislikes according to Hindu scriptures and folklore.

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Fruits

It is said that Hanuman has a great fondness for fruits. During his childhood, while living in the forest with other vanaras, Hanuman would enjoy eating different fruits that grew in the trees and bushes. Some of his favorite fruits include:

Mangoes – Sweet and juicy mangoes are said to be one of Hanuman’s favorite fruits. In fact, mango trees are often planted near Hanuman temples so devotees can offer the fruit as prasad.
Bananas – Rich in potassium and easy to peel and eat, bananas are another fruit Hanuman loves. He is sometimes depicted holding a bunch of bananas in his hand.
Wood apples – Also known as bael fruit, wood apples have a hard rind and sticky interior that Hanuman enjoys.

Berries – Hanuman likes collecting and eating different berries found in the forest, like raspberries, blackberries and strawberries.
Guavas – With their sweet taste and soft flesh, guavas are also popular with Hanuman.
Apples – Red and crunchy apples are also offered to Hanuman by his devotees.

During his childhood, Hanuman was quite mischievous and was fond of disturbing meditating rishis in the forest. He would often sneak up and steal fruits meant as offerings for rituals and then gobble them up quickly.

Sweets

Though Hanuman is not overly fond of rich or elaborate foods, he does enjoy sweets and delicacies made of simple ingredients like sugar, flour and ghee. Some sweets associated with Hanuman include:

Laddu – These round sweet balls made of flour, ghee and sugar are probably Hanuman’s favorite sweet. It is customary to offer laddus to Hanuman, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Boondi ke laddu – Made with tiny deep-fried chickpea flour balls and dipped in syrup, these laddus are another of Hanuman’s top choices.
Rasgulla – The spongy, syrupy Bengali delicacy is said to have been one of the sweets Hanuman enjoyed greatly.
Kheer – Rice pudding with ghee, sugar, nuts and raisins is an ideal sweet dish for Hanuman.

Halwa – Different halwas like sooji halwa, moong dal halwa and carrot halwa are all pleasing to Hanuman’s taste.
Jalebi – He is said to be fond of the popular crispy, syrup-dunked sweet of North India.

Though he enjoys a variety of sweets, Hanuman is careful not to over-indulge. According to some accounts, when Hanuman was a child, he was initially allowed to eat as many laddus as he wanted. But after he started eating too many and becoming hyperactive, the rishis limited his sweet consumption to just one laddu a day.

Milk and Dairy

Hanuman has a liking for milk and dairy products like butter, ghee and paneer. As a child, he was very fond of stealing and drinking milk and buttermilk offered to the gods and rishis. Some dairy items connected to Hanuman include:

Milk – Hanuman loves drinking fresh, creamy milk, often with added turmeric and saffron.
Buttermilk – The refreshing and tangy chaas is drunk with delight by Hanuman.

Ghee – Clarified butter is essential for Hanuman and offered along with his favorite sweets.
Butter – Fresh farm butter is also presented to idols and images of Hanuman.
Paneer – Cottage cheese is made into lovely dishes for Hanuman like paneer kheer.

Dairy products not only have a wonderful taste but also provide nourishment and strength to the body. So it is only natural that Hanuman would enjoy these gifts of nature.

Favorite dishes

Though Hanuman is mostly depicted eating fruits and sweets, in folk tales, he is said to relish simple vegetarian dishes made especially for him by his devotees. Some popular Hanuman dishes are:

Sundal – This is a famous south Indian dish made with boiled legumes like chickpeas, sprouted lentils, peanuts or soybeans, mixed with spices, curry leaves, oil and coconut.

Pongal – A delicious rice and lentil dish made with fresh pepper and cumin seeds, offered on Saturdays in Hanuman temples.
Payasam – The creamy kheer-like pudding from south India, often made with sabudana or vermicelli and milk.
Samosa – Hanuman is said to be fond of the humble potato-stuffed deep-fried snack.

Poori sabzi – Deep-fried pooris served with potato curry is a favorite dish, especially on Tuesdays.
Halwa poori – Some also offer Hanuman the popular combination of puris with sweet suji halwa.
Sweets – Any sweet like kheer, rabdi, rasmalai or sandesh is always welcome.

Hanuman appreciates devotees who offer him dishes made with love and devotion. And he relishes the rich, diverse vegetarian cuisine from across India.

Favorite drinks

To accompany his meals, Hanuman also enjoys some refreshing drinks. These are usually offered along with his favorite foods at temples or given as bhog prasad. Some popular choices include:

Milk – Chilled milk, often with saffron, or hot milk is an ideal beverage for Hanuman.

Buttermilk – The tangy chaas cools and refreshes him.
Fruit juices – Juices like amla, pomegranate or Sitaphal are refreshing options.
Tea – Hot cups of milk tea or ginger tea are welcome.

Lembu paani – The zesty lemon water quenches thirst and detoxifies the body.
Thandai – The chilled almond and rose drink is a specialty from north India.
Lassi – Both salted and sweet lassis are delightful drinks for Hanuman.

These drinks not only quench his thirst but also provide nutrients and minerals. They are the perfect complement for the delicious vegetarian foods that Hanuman enjoys.

Restricted foods

Though quite simple in his eating habits, there are some restrictions for Hanuman when it comes to certain ingredients and foods:

He is strictly vegetarian so can never be offered any meat, fish or eggs.

No alcohol is permitted, as Hanuman is devoted to following dharma.
No processed or multi-ingredient foods like chips, burgers, pizzas, etc.
Foods with excessive garlic, onion or strong spices are avoided.

Eating very rich, oily or fried foods everyday is also not recommended for Hanuman.

However, he does not forbid his followers from eating such foods if they wish. Only when being directly offered to him as prasad are these restrictions observed. He understands devotees have varying needs and tastes.

Fasting foods

On specific days and during certain festivals associated with him, Hanuman fasts and observes rituals. On such occasions, he is offered light, sattvic foods that are suitable for fasting:

Phalahar – Fruits, milk, nuts and water.
Sabudana khichidi – Made with sago and potato.
Singhare ka atta – Flour dumplings with sendha namak.

Makhana kheer – Foxnut pudding.
Any fruit or milk-based offerings.

Even while fasting or observing vrat, Hanuman is able to draw immense shakti and devotion through such light foods eaten for his bhakti.

Favorite Prasad offerings

Prasad forms an important part of prayers and worship of Hanuman across India. His followers and devotees offer him all kinds of delectable foods and sweets as prasad. Here are some of Hanuman’s favorite prasad offerings:

Sundal – The protein-rich south Indian prasad is a top choice.
Laddu – No prasad is complete without the quintessential laddu.

Vada – Crisp, fried lentil fritters are delightful prasad.
Halwa – Sooji ka halwa, moong dal halwa or any other halwa variety.
Payasam – The creamy kheer-like delicacy.

Puran Poli – The sweet flatbread stuffed with lentils and jaggery.
Modak – The classic Maharashtrian steamed dumpling.
Coconut burfi – Sweet, condensed milk and coconut bars.

Panjiri – The nutty North Indian energy bar.
Shakkarpara – Deep fried, crystallized sugar biscuits.

Prasad offerings are made to Hanuman with utmost bhakti and the understanding that he accepts devotees’ devotion, not the food itself.

Conclusion

Hanuman may be an enlightened spiritual figure but he is also very down-to-earth in his food choices. He prefers simple, fresh vegetarian foods that are offered to him with love and care. Though he enjoys rich sweets, he is modest in his eating. Fruits, milk, lentils and rice make up his daily diet along with sweets on special occasions. And Hanuman likes variety, trying different regional cuisines across India. When devotees prepare and share prasad with him, they feel his divine presence blessing their lives. For Hanuman, the devotion behind the offering matters more than the physical food itself. So his followers strive to make offerings that remind them of his sweet grace and devotion to the Supreme.