Indian Hindu Holy Figure : "Hanuman"

This bronze wall hanging represents Hanuman. Hanuman is worshipped as a figure in temples dedicated to Rama, one of the avatars of Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation.

Hanuman plays a large role in the Hindu epic poem the Ramayana. Hanuman and his army of vanaras, a monkey-like race living in the forest, helped Rama defeat the demon king, Ravana, and reunite with Rama's wife, Sita. For his service to Rama, Hanuman represents the model of human devotion.

In temples throughout India, and specifically in South Indian bronze sculptures, he appears in the form of a monkey with a red face who stands erect like a human. He is also a popular deity in Tibet, Southeast Asia, Japan, and China, and throughout this area many temples are erected for his worship.

Hinduism is the oldest living religion, about 4,000 – 5,000 years old. Hindu people believe that Brahman is the creator, preserver and transformer of existence. Gods that are part of Brahman include Vishnu, the preserver god, and Shiva, the god of destruction. Hinduism came from India. No one person founded the religion. There are many Hindu holy books. Hindus honor their deities through worship. Hindus tell stories of the ways that the gods interact with each other and with humans. Hindus believe in rebirth after death (reincarnation); their goal is to escape the movement of the soul into another body and to become one with Brahman.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman
"Hanuman." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 11 Oct. 2013.