Hanumān Jayantī (Birth of Lord Hanumān)

Old sculpture of Hanumān Ji at Undavalli Caves, Andhra Pradesh

Hanumān Jayantī (Birth of Lord Hanumān) is a Sanātani festival which is celebrated by all Sanātan people across the world. In India, it is celebrated in different forms in different regions. Likewise there are different opinions about his birth in different regions of India. In northern India, it is celebrated on ‘Chaitra-Pūrnima’ (Full moon day of Sanātan month of Chaitra). In Karnataka, Hanumān Jayantī is observed on Shukla Paksha Trayodashi, during the Margashirsha month or in Vaishakha, while in a few states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, it is celebrated during the month of Dhanu (called Margali in Tamil). In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Hanumān Jayantī is celebrated by a dikshā of 41 days, beginning on Chaitra Pūrnima, and concluding on the tenth day during Krishna Paksha in Vaishakha. In Maharashtra, Hanuman Jayantī is celebrated on the full moon day (pūrnima) of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra. Hanumān Jayantī is observed on Pana-Sankrānti in the eastern state of Odisha, which coincides with the Odia New Year.

Old sculpture of Hanumān Ji at Hampi

Hanumān is worshipped as a deity with the ability to gain victory over evil, provide good health, power, protection and intelligence & wit. On the auspicious day of Hanumān Jayantī devotees offer sweets, flowers, coconuts, etc. In return, the devotees receive prasādam from these offerings; with the temple priests drawing tilak on devotee’s forehead and giving them sacred ash (udi, bhabhuti) and water (tīrtha, charanāmrit). The devotees also recite holy texts dedicated to Lord Hanumān, such as – ‘Hanumān Chālīsā’ and ‘Sundar Kānd’.

 

In Sanātan holy texts and belief, lord Hanumān is a demigod who is an avatar of Lord Shiv, sometimes also considered as a Rudra avatar of the latter. Hanuman is regarded to be an ardent devotee of Shri Ram, an avatar of Vishnu, widely known for his unflinching devotion.

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