The courage of Captain Smit Machhar, the Indian pilot who saved the lives of 174 passengers on a Flydubai flight, is being praised across the country. Prayers for his speedy recovery were offered at Hanumaddham, located in the pilgrimage town of Shukteerth.
Remembering Lord Hanuman during times of adversity instills courage and inner strength: Swami Vigyananand Saraswati
Swami Vigyananand Saraswati Maharaj of Hanumaddham stated that Lord Hanuman is *Sankatmochan* (the reliever of distress). Remembering Him during times of crisis grants a person courage and inner strength. The way Captain Smit maintained his composure while reciting the Hanuman Chalisa amidst the crisis reflects the power of Sanatan culture and faith. Lord Hanuman is the supreme devotee and ideal servant of Lord Shri Ram; devotees who worship Him find support and strength during times of trouble. Hanumaddham was established in 1987.
Hanumaddham, situated on the banks of the Ganges in the ancient pilgrimage town of Shukteerth (associated with the Mahabharata era), is a major center of faith. Here, a colossal 77-foot-tall statue of Lord Hanuman, along with the *Nakshatra Vatika* (astrological garden), *Navagraha* (nine planets) shrine, *Panchvati*, and trees of various species, attract devotees. Pilgrims from across the country visit Hanumaddham to offer their prayers.
Mahant Swami Anand Swarupanand Maharaj mentioned that Hanumaddham was established in 1987 by Mahamandaleshwar Swami Keshavanand Maharaj under the guidance of the late Sudarshan Singh Chakra Ji Maharaj. Enshrined within the 77-foot-tall statue of Hanuman are 700 crore (7 billion) written invocations of the name “Ram,” inscribed on paper in various languages of the country. These are reported to weigh approximately 14 tonnes and occupy a volume of 10,050 cubic feet. Statues representing various monkey species from around the world are also installed within the temple complex. Shukteerth is the birthplace of the *Bhagwat Katha*.
The ancient pilgrimage town of Shukteerth is situated on the banks of the Ganges in the Muzaffarnagar district. According to tradition, it was on this sacred land—seated beneath an ancient *Akshay Vat* (imperishable banyan) tree—that the sage Shukdev Muni narrated the *Shrimad Bhagwat Katha* over a period of seven days to grant salvation to King Parikshit. For this reason, Shukteerth is revered as the origin of the *Bhagwat Katha* and the *Tapobhumi* (land of penance) of Sage Shukdev.
The ancient *Akshay Vat*, the Shukdev Temple, the Ganges *ghat*, and various *ashrams* located here are major centers of faith for devotees. Pilgrims from across the country arrive here to take a holy dip in the Ganges, offer prayers, and seek the blessings of saints. The spiritual aura of Shukteerth during festivals and religious occasions is truly magnificent to behold.
