Hanuman Jayanti (Birthday of Lord Hanuman)
Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on the 15th day of the Shukla Paksha, during the month of Chaitra to commemorate the birth of Hanuman, the Vanara god.
Hanuman Jayanti 2024 is on Tuesday, 23rd April, 2024.
Lord Hanuman
Hanuman was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama who helped Lord ram to defeat Ravan after Sita’s abduction. Hanuman is worshipped by many for his devotion to Lord Rama, who granted him everlasting life in thanks for his selfless dedication. Lord Rama promised Hanuman that he would be worshipped alongside him and that an idol of the monkey god would always be placed next to his.
There are many names of Lord Hanuman (one with prominent or disfigured jaw) like Anjaneya, Anjaniputra, Anjaneyar, Bajrangabali, Pavanasuta, Pavan Kumar, Sankata Mochana, Bajrang Bali, and many others. He is the incarnation of Shiva and the son of Anjana and Kesari and is also described as the son of the wind-god Pawan.
Hanuman Jayanti is an important festival for Hindus. Hanuman is the symbol of strength and energy. Hanuman is said to be able to assume any form at will, wield rocks, move mountains, dart through the air, seize the clouds and rival Garuda in the swiftness of flight. He is worshipped as a deity with magical powers and the ability to conquer evil spirits.
Suggested Read: 12 names of Lord Hanuman
In South India, especially Tamil Nadu Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated on the Margazhi month of Moola Nakshatra. It is said that Hanuman was born on the moola nakshatra in Marghazi month. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated for 41-days which starts on Chaitra Purnima and ends on the tenth day during Krishna Paksha in Vaishakha month. In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh devotees begin 41-days Deeksha on Chaitra Purnima and conclude it on Hanuman Jayanthi day.
In Maharashtra, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra. In some almanacs, the birthday of Hanuman falls on the fourteenth day (Chaturdashi) in the dark fortnight of the month of Ashvin. While according to others it falls on the full moon day in the bright fortnight of Chaitra.
Devotes flock to Hanuman temples from early morning, they apply tika and sindoor to their foreheads from Hanuman’s idol as Hanuman himself was of that color. They read Hanuman Chalisa, Bajrang Baan, and offer prasad of laddoo, Aartis, and mantra reciting are performed all day long in various Hanuman temples dedicated to the lord.
