What happened to Lord Hanuman at the end of the Ramayan katha?

The Ramayana, one of the most looked-up to ancient Hindu epics, narrates the life and adventures of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his Lord Hanuman. Throughout the Ramayana, Lord Hanuman can be seen as an epitome of strength, devotion, and concentration. His ‘Brahmacharya’ through his life and the love, and his respect and devotion for Lord Rama, is known by all. However, it is noted that there are different theories of what happened to him after the defeat of the demon king Ravana and when Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Hanuman ji came back to Ayodhya. The concluding chapters of the Ramayana leave us with various theories about what happened to Lord Hanuman but nothing was ever made clear. So, here we list down the four most famous theories according to ancient texts and beliefs about what happened to Lord Hanuman at the end of the Ramayan katha.

According to the first theory, after the return to Ayodhya and the coronation of Lord Rama, Lord Rama prepares to return to his home in Vaikuntha. But, before he goes back, he bestows upon Lord Hanuman the boon of immortality to ensure that ‘Ram Rajya’ prevails even when Lord Rama is not physically present.
It is said that Lord Rama wanted his devotee, Lord Hanuman to continue living in this realm, to make sure that no evil can touch his devotees, followers, and the people who walk on the road of dharma and righteousness. By ensuring Lord Hanuman's immortality, Lord Rama ensured that the good forces always win over the evil.

Another theory about where Lord Hanuman went after the war of Lanka comes from the epic Mahabharata. It is said that when Draupadi wanted a certain flower, Bhima went to the forest to search for it. On his way, a monkey obstructs his path which makes Bhima angry. When Bhima asks that monkey to remove his tail from the way, the monkey tells him to do it himself if he so pleases. Bhima, proud of his power and strength, agreed in an instant but could not lift the tail. That is when he realises that this was no ordinary monkey but rather Lord Hanuman himself, in disguise.

In one of his blogs, Sadhguru shared about the encounters with Hanuman ji in Mahabharata, "Ramayana is a part of Mahabharata. Much later, Valmiki distinguished this tale as an epic. Otherwise Ramayana was a part of Mahabharata. It was a long epic. Valmiki separated it and made it an epic of Rama. Otherwise they too would have been lost in the puzzling life of Krishna – the simplicity of Ram ."

Another belief about the whereabouts of Lord Hanuman comes from the theory that Lord Hanuman is still alive and is somewhere in the Himalayas, chanting Lord Rama’s name, ‘Ram Jap’ as people call it. It is said that Lord Hanuman chose a life of meditation and seclusion in the Himalayas. According to this belief, Lord Hanuman decided to distance himself from the mortal world and enter a deep state of meditation, as he waits for Lord Rama or his avatar to come back to Earth. It is believed that he will re-emerge when the world is in dire need of divine intervention, particularly during the advent of Kalki (the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu) in the Kalyug.

Another belief from the Mahabharata comes from the time when Shri Krishna and Arjuna asked Lord Hanuman to accompany them during the war of Mahabharata. According to this belief, Hanuman ji positioned himself on the dhwaja (flag) of Arjuna's chariot, in the form of a picture, symbolising his allegiance and support for the righteous cause.

Lord Hanuman's pure devotion, strength, and wisdom make him beloved. He is the epitome of someone who overcomes all challenges, has unwavering loyalty towards his Lord, and helps others in spiritual growth.

Devotees seek his blessings for protection, strength, and overcoming obstacles in life's journey. His legendary feats in epics like Ramayana solidify his image as a hero and protector.

Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa is believed to hold spiritual significance and can grant the devotees great power! Many people believe that reciting it regularly can instill courage, strength, and protection against negative influences. The verses of Hanuman Chalisa convey Hanuman ji's virtues, inspiring faith and devotion among practitioners. Many find solace and inner peace through this practice.

Plus, it is said that because Hanuman ji was blessed with immortality, he is the one God who is the closest to Earth. Thus, when you ask for Hanuman ji's blessings or seek his protection, he answers his devotees really fast.