Wherever the Glories of Sri Rama are sung, at all such places, with hands held over his bowed head in salutation, and eyes filled with tears of devotion and joy, Maruti (Bhakta Hanuman) is present; He puts an end to our sorrows and fear of demons.

Jagadguru Sri Maha Periyava - Kanchi Paramacharya

Sri Maha Periyava on Significance of Vada Mala Aradhana for Sri Anjaneya Swamy

Yatra Yatra Raghunaatha-Keertanam Tatra Tatra Krita-Mastaka-Anjalim
Vaashpa-Vaari-Paripurna-Lochanam Maarutim Namata Raakshasa-Antakam ||

Wherever the Glories of Sri Rama are sung, at all such places, with hands held over his bowed head in salutation, and eyes filled with tears of devotion and joy, Maruti (Bhakta Hanuman) is present; He puts an end to our sorrows and fear of demons.

Once a person hailing from North India was among the many who came to have darshan of Paramacharya of Kanchi Mutt. He was seen in hesitancy and Maha Periyava encouraged him to ask his doubt.

The Northerner cleared his throat and said that Anjaneya Swamy is worshipped all over India but he was not able to understand why in South the people adorn Anjaneya with 'Vada-mala' made of urad dal mixed with pepper where as in North India they do it with sweet Jangiri. He also added that he had not received a convincing answer from anybody so far.

Paramacharya was pleased to talk about Hanuman. He began to explain first that children when they make some fuss to eat, the mother coaxes them to see the Moon outside and the child enjoys seeing the bright Moon and the cool breeze outside and finishes eating. Similarly when Hanuman was a child, he took a liking to look at the Sun blazing in the Sky. He did not stop with that. He went on to catch the Sun with his hand.

At the same time, 'Rahu Devata' was also racing to catch the Sun God to eclipse the Sun. In the race between Hanuman and Rahu, Hanuman, being the son of Vayu, the Wind God (Vayuputra) won with ease. In appreciation of Hanuman's valour, Rahu Deva sanctioned a boon that whoever worshipped Hanumanji with a food item made out of urad dal, would get relieved from 'Rahu Dosha' and that Rahu Graha would not trouble them anymore. Further, the item offered to Hanumanji had to be made in the form of a garland or bent like a serpent which is how 'Rahu God' appears. Rahu also admitted that urad dal was his favourite item and the food item prepared with urad dal was to his immense liking.

Paramacharya, having explained the significance of Vada Mala Aradhana to Anjaneya Swamy went on to bring out the background for the differences in the culture between the people in the South and North. South India is famous for salt cultivation as North is for sugarcane. Vada is a food item made out of urad dal with salt and pepper added for improving its taste. So people in the South offer Vada Mala Aradhana to Anjaneya Swamy.

But the Northerners prefer sweet to salt. However Jangiri is made mainly out of urad dal which satisfies the condition imposed by Rahu Devata. Sugarcane grows in plenty only in the North. Hence the people there have developed it as a custom to worship Anjaneya Swamy with a garland of Jangiris.

The mass of people who had gathered to listen to Paramacharya, including the Northerner, went rapturous and fell at the feet of the Jagadguru.