Hare Krishna.

Today is Hanuman Jayanti - The Appearance Day of Hanuman, a devout pure devotee of Lord Sri Rama (Ramchandra), in the mood of servitude (dasya Bhava). Hanuman is also an 'amsa' (a kind of expansion) of Lord Shiva.

This is an episode during Rama and Sita's forest days when Sita was kidnapped by Ravana of Lanka.

When Sita was held captive in Ashokban, the gardens outside Ravana's palace, Hanuman went to see her secretly , as a messenger of His beloved Sri Rama.
This was after His first visit to Lanka , and during the time when Rama and Lakshmana were camping with the army of monkeys [Vanara Sena] , preparing for a possible war.

Hanuman found a sad Sita under the tree. She was thinking. Hanuman asked Her , "What is it that bothers you Mother ? Is there anything I can do ?"

Sita said today was a special day when she should be performing a Puja for which she needs vermillion [Sindoor], but she had none here in Ashokban. Without losing a second , Hanuman took a leap and came back with a mini mountain of bright red vermillion. Sita was amused and laughed gently at Hanuman's enthusiasm to serve. She said she needed only a little sindoor, not a mountain. When Sita prayed and applied it in her hair, Hanuman asked what was the importance of this day and of wearing sindoor. Sita explained that it is worn to protect one's husband from calamities.
[As though Janaki's Husband needs protection !]

On hearing this , Hanuman brightened. He said, "If that is the case , I too will apply Sindoor. Lots and lots of it."
On hearing this , Sita laughed gently. Although seperation from Lord Rama had made Her sad and melancholy, Hanuman's behavior was very amusing to Her. Even the lady from Ravan's clan acting as Sita's prison-guard started laughing.

Sita said, " O son of the Wind God [ Pavan Putra ], You will apply sindoor ??? " It was strange indeed.

Hanuman said, "Yes, Mother. If Sri Rama is Your Lord, so is He mine. Can I not do so much to protect my Lord from danger ?" [ As if the Lord needs protection from danger !]

Their love for the Lord had made these pure devotees blind to the fact that He does not need such protection.

Later that night, in Sri Rama's camp , Sugriva , the monkey King , a devotee who had promised to help the Lord find Sita, wondered why Hanuman had not yet returned. He expressed his concern to Rama. Just then Sugriva saw a light in Hanuman's tent (Hanuman was Sugriva's chief minister). A faint humming sound was coming from the tent. He peeped in to see a very strange and funny sight.

There was Hanuman , sitting in front of a huge pile of sindoor. He was covered red with it all over. Hanuman was chanting
"Raa ~~~~ m Jai Jai Ra ~~~ m ... Raa SSS m,
Jay Jay Ram....." .
He was applying sindoor all over his body. Sugreeva suppressed laughter. Sri Rama was amused too, and was smiling.

Soon, though, Rama turned grave and kept watching Hanuman with a serious expression. Finally , when Hanuman noticed Rama standing there , he said, "Oh, Lord ? What are you doing here ? Its late. " Hanuman fumbled.
Rama asked , "What is going on Hanuman ?"
"Well, Lord, I had gone to see Mother Sita today. She too wears this sindoor."
"I know."
"She says today is especially important to protect Her Lord. She does so and prays on this day every year."
"Yes, I know. But what are you doing ?"
"I am doing the same, for Your protection ! I think the more I use the better !"

Hanuman ki Jai.
Jai Sri Rama.