Find the word definition

Wikipedia
Añjanā

( Tamil: Anchanai, Malay: Anjani or Anjati, Thai: Sawaha) was the mother of Hanuman, one of the heroes of the Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to one version of the story, was an apsara named , who was born on earth as monkey princess and married Kesari, a monkey chief. Vayu, god of the wind, carried the divine power of Lord Shiva to Anjana's womb, and thus Hanuman was himself an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

In Himachal Pradesh is the Goddess worshiped as family deity by several people.There is one temple dedicated to her at Masrer near Dharamsala District Kangra. It is believed that Anjana once came there and remained there for some time.One of the local revealed her truth to other villagers against the wish of Goddess Anjana. Hence she left but turned that local into a stone which lies outside her temple. Her vahana is a scorpion, hence believers worships Anjana after being bit by a scorpion.

Anjana (Cantabrian mythology)
For the article on the Indian epic hero, see Añjanā.

The Anjana ( Cantabrian: (Western) [anˈhana], (Eastern)[an.xa.nɜ]; ) (from jana, a former word for witches during the Middle Ages) are one of the best known fairies of Cantabrian mythology. These female fairy creatures foil the cruel and ruthless Ojáncanu. In most stories, they are the good fairies of Cantabria, generous and protective of all people. Their depiction in the Cantabrian mythology is reminiscent of the lamias in ancient Greek mythology, as well as the xanas in Asturias, the janas in León, and the lamias in Basque Country, the latter without the zoomorphic appearance.

Oral tradition provides different explanations for the nature of the Anjana. Some say they are heavenly beings sent by God to do good deeds, and they go back to heaven after 400 years, never to return. Others, however, indicate that they are spirits of trees who take care of the forests.

Anjana are described as beautiful and delicate, half a foot tall, with white skin and a sweet voice. Some are like a nightingale when they are happy, and others are like a beetle stepping on leaves in autumn. Their eyes are slanted, serene and loving, with black or blue pupils as bright as the stars, and they feature nearly transparent wings. They wear long, jet black or golden braids, adorned with multicolored silk bows and ribbons; a beautiful crown of wild flowers on their head; and a blue cape on a long thin white tunic, and carry in their hands a stick of wicker or hawthorn which shines in a different color every day of the week.

They are seen walking through the forest trails, resting on the banks of springs and on the margins of streams which then seem to come alive. They are able to talk with the water that flows from the sources and springs. They help injured animals and trees damaged by storms or Ojáncana, lovers, people who lose their way in the forest, and the poor and suffering. Whenever they wander in villages, they leave gifts at the doors of helpful and kind people. When summoned for help they accept if the summoner is good of heart, but they also punish the wicked.

Traditions state that at night during the spring equinox, they gather in the fells and dance until dawn holding hands and scattering roses. Anyone who manages to find a rose with purple, green, blue, or golden petals will be happy until the time of their death.

Other Cantabrian-related fairies are the Hechiceras del Ebro (Enchantresses of the Ebro River), the Mozas del Agua (Water Lasses), the Viejuca de Vispieres (the Vispieres Little Old Woman), the Anjanas of Treceño, las Moras de Carmona (Moorish Maidens of Carmona) o las Ijanas del Valle de Aras (Ijanas of Valley).

Anjana

Anjana may refer to:

  • Anjana, the village in Grahi taluka, district Banswara Rajasthan
  • Añjanā, the mother of Hanuman in the Indian epic, the Ramayana.
  • Anjana (Cantabrian mythology), a fairy in Cantabrian mythology.
  • Anjana, Faizabad, a village in Faizabad District, Uttar Pradesh, India.
  • Añjana, a king of Koliya dynasty of ancient India.