Significance of Hanuman Jayanthi Festivals

How many of us would tear open our chest to show our devotion and loyalty to someone? None, probably. But Hanuman does it to show Rama how much he loves and reveres him. so much so that he has even enshrined Rama and Sita in his heart!

 

Hanuman Jayanthi is the birthday of Lord Hanuman, the monkey god. Hanuman plays a key role in the Ramayana epic, where he helps Lord Rama to rescue Sita, who was abducted by the demon king, Ravana.

 

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the celebrations go on for 41 days. They begin on Chaitra Purnima (the full moon in Chaitra month) during Shukla Paksha and end on the 10th day during Krishna Paksha in Vaishakha month. In Tamil Nadu, it is observed during Margashirsha Amavasya. In Karnataka, the day is called Hanuman Vratam.

 

Lord Hanuman protects people from evil forces like black magic, evil eye, ghosts, etc. He also protects one from the malefic influence of Shani or planet Saturn. Hanuman Jayanthi celebrations begin early in the morning as he was born at sunrise. Devotees read verses from the Ramayana and the Hanuman Chalisa as well as other Hanuman Mantras on this day and perform Pooja and Abishek for the deity at Hanuman temples.

 

Birth of Hanuman

 

Lord Hanuman is also described as the son of Vayu, the Wind god. His other names include Pawanputra and Maruti Nandan, which mean ‘son of the Wind God’. He has other names, too, like Sankatmochan and Dukhbhanjan, which mean ‘one who removes people’s problems and sorrows’. Hanuman’s mother was Anjana, an apsara (celestial maiden) who was cursed by a sage to be born as a monkey. Hanuman’s birth redeemed her from the curse. As per legend, Anjana and her husband, Kesari, worshipped Lord Rudra (a form of Shiva), seeking a child and under Rudra’s direction, Vayu helped transfer his male energy to Anjana's womb. For this reason, Vayu is known as Hanuman’s father, too.

 

Devotees of Hanuman like to apply a tilak of sindoor on their foreheads. Once, Lord Hanuman saw Sita applying sindoor on her forehead. When he asked her the reason, she replied it was to ensure a long life for her husband. After this, Hanuman would smear his whole body with sindoor to ensure Rama’s immortality.

 

What Makes Hanuman Special?

 

Some believe that Hanuman is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. By all accounts, he is the greatest disciple of Lord Rama. Hanuman has the reputation of a karma yogi because of his fearlessness, selfless service, humility, and devotion to Rama. He symbolizes strength and energy. Hanuman can assume any form at will, lift heavy rocks, and even move mountains. He has magical powers that enable him to conquer evil spirits.

 

Significance of Hanuman Jayanti

 

Hanuman Jayanthi is an important festival for bachelors/Brahmacharis, wrestlers, and bodybuilders who invoke him as Bajrangabali. He is supposedly the 11th avatar of Shiva. It is said that worshipping Hanuman will bring the blessings of Lord Rama as well. When we worship a deity on their birthday with special rituals and offerings, it helps us to connect with the deity and receive their blessings. In fact, it is one of the best days to invoke their blessings. Those who seek to be strong, confident, and courageous often worship Hanuman, as he is associated with such qualities. As he has the power to mitigate the adverse effects of Shani, those who have Shani affliction or are going through the Sade Sati phase pray to Hanuman, seeking relief from the problems caused by Shani. Also, people who face problems from enemies, evil spirits, black magic, evil eye, etc., too, can benefit from praying to Hanuman on his birthday.

 

Hanuman Jayanthi Rituals

 

On Hanuman Jayanti, people observe vrat/fast, meditate and donate to charity. They also recite the Hanuman Chalisa. Bodybuilding and wrestling contests take place in many areas.

 

Devotees visit Hanuman temples in the morning and apply vermilion on the idol of Hanuman. They recite Hanuman Chalisa and offer laddoos as Prasad. They also do Aarti and chant Mantras. Once the Pooja is over, they apply red vermilion to their own foreheads and distribute the Prasad.

 

In states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated in the month of Margazhi, as the belief is that Lord Hanuman was born on Amavasya in this month. In Odisha, people celebrate it on the first day of Baisakha month. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, it is held on the tenth day of Vaishaka month.

 

What Does Lord Hanuman Teach Us?

 

In one of his incarnations, Panchmukhi Hanuman, he extinguished five lamps that faced five different directions to kill Ahiravan. The five lamps represent the five senses.

 

Hanuman teaches us to control our senses by being disciplined in life. We should train our senses in such a way that they enable us to follow our life purpose or dharma.

 

We can master our senses through Pranayama (control of breath), meditation, Mantra chanting, and wearing the 14 mukhi Rudraksha. Such practices can give us self-control, knowledge, and power.

 

Hanuman had immense strength, power, and knowledge. People worship him to gain good physical and mental health, knowledge, wisdom, and for protection. He represents pure devotion, complete surrender to the divine, and total absence of ego.