Hanuman Jayanti: Celebrating the Birth of Lord Hanuman

Hanuman Jayanti is one of the most sacred festivals in Hindu tradition. This festival celebrates the birth of Hanuman a devoted follower of Lord Rama and a symbol of strength, devotion, courage as well as humility. On this day, millions of followers of Lord Hanuman all over India observe this day by offering prayers, fasting, and chanting sacred hymns in praise of Lord Hanuman.

This is not just a celebration of the birth of Lord Hanuman. This is also a celebration of the virtues of Hanuman, who represented devotion, selfless service & inner strength.

When is Hanuman Jayanti Celebrated?

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Chaitra month in the Hindu calendar, which generally falls in March or April.

The date of Hanuman Jayanti varies in different states of India:

• In North India, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on Chaitra Purnima.

• In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated in the month of Margazhi, which generally falls in December or January.

• In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated in the month of Vaishakha.

Regardless of the place, the devotion and enthusiasm of the followers of Lord Hanuman are always the same everywhere in India.

The Birth of Lord Hanuman

The birth of Lord Hanuman is closely associated with divine blessings and cosmic events.

Hanuman, the devoted follower of Lord Rama, was born to Anjana and Kesari. As a result of the blessings of Vayu, the wind god, Hanuman is also known as Vayu Putra, which means the son of Vayu.

According to scriptures, Anjana had performed intense penance and prayed for a child. The gods were pleased with Anjana’s devotion and blessed her with Hanuman who was born with immense strength and divine powers.

Hanuman’s divine nature was also evident even as a child. One such story is about how the young Hanuman saw the rising sun and mistook it for a fruit and jumped into the sky to grab it.

Hanuman in the Ramayana

To understand the greatness of Hanuman, let’s look at his role in the epic Ramayana.

Hanuman plays a crucial role in helping Lord Rama rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.

Some of the most inspiring acts by Hanuman are:

• Crossing the ocean fearlessly to reach Lanka.

• Finding Sita and delivering the message of hope to Rama.

• Burning Lanka after being captured by Ravana’s army.

• Bringing the Sanjivini Herb from the Himalayas to save Lakshmana.

Throughout these heroic acts, Hanuman did not do these for recognition or reward. He only wanted to serve his master Lord Rama with utmost devotion and sincerity.

How Hanuman Jayanti is Celebrated

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with utmost devotion and fervor. People follow different rituals to pay homage to their beloved deity Lord Hanuman.

Temple Visits

On this day, people visit temples dedicated to Hanuman early in the morning. The idol of Hanuman is decorated with flowers, sandalwood paste, and vermillion (Sindoor).

Chanting Sacred Hymns

People chant powerful prayers and hymns dedicated to Hanuman:

• Hanuman Chalisa

• Sundara Kanda

• Bajrang Baan and other Hanuman Stotras

Fasting and Offerings

Some devotees keep a day-long fast on this day. The offerings made to this deity are usually bananas, jaggery, betel leaves, and laddus.

Community Celebrations

Some devotees celebrate this day with bhajans, kirtans, and discourses. Some temples also conduct processions carrying Hanuman deities through the streets.

Spiritual Significance of Hanuman

Lord Hanuman is not just worshipped as a symbol of strength. He is also worshipped as a symbol of various spiritual values.

Devotion

Hanuman’s devotion to Lord Rama is considered to be the highest form of devotion.

Strength and Courage

Hanuman is also worshipped as a symbol of courage and strength, as he reminds us that courage is only achieved through devotion and righteousness.

Humility

Hanuman is also worshipped as a symbol of humility, as he remained humble despite his immense power.

Protection

Hanuman is also worshipped as it is believed that he protects us from fear and negative energies.

Because of these virtues, he is considered to be ‘Bajrang Bali’ – powerful and has a body as strong as thunder.

Lessons from Hanuman for Modern Life

Even today, Hanuman’s life provides us with valuable lessons for life.

Hanuman’s commitment to his master Ram teaches us the importance of commitment and dedication. Hanuman’s bravery reminds us to face life with confidence and determination. Hanuman’s humility reminds us of the importance of serving others for greatness in life.

In today’s world of stress and distractions, Hanuman’s life reminds us of our strength and commitment to life.

Conclusion

Hanuman Jayanti is not only a festival; it is a celebration of commitment, strength, and spiritual knowledge. On this holy day of Hanuman Jayanti, people worship and pay homage to Lord Hanuman by remembering his life and seeking his blessings for strength and success in life.

By chanting Hanuman’s name and remembering his qualities, people feel that they can achieve success and move forward in life.

As the chant goes:

“Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.”

And where the name of Rama is chanted with commitment and dedication, Hanuman