Hanuman Jayanti is an important festival for the Hindus. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra to commemorate the birth of Hanuman. Hanuman is also known as Vanara God or the monkey god and is widely venerated throughout India. Hanumanji was the son of the God of wind and he embodies the perfect devotee. He is the symbol of strength and energy. Hanuman was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama worshipped all over India-either alone or together with Sri Rama. His other names are Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Pavankumar, Bajrangabali and Mahavira.
History
According to the legends a girl named Punjikasthala who was an attendant to Brihaspati was cursed by a sage whom she insulted that she will be born as a female monkey in the mountain forests. She greatly regretted and begged for forgiveness. so the sage solaced her by saying that she will give birth to a son who would be an incarnation of Lord Shiva and who will serve will forever serve the Paramatma. She took birth as Anjana and later married Kesari. Lord Shiva was very pleased with Anjani’s penance and blessed her with a child. Hanuman was born of the air element or vayutattva. He is a deity who is capable of assuming any form at will and is the only deity who cannot be troubled by the negative energies.
He symbolises devotion, knowledge, spirit of selfless service and power of celibacy. His selfless service to lord Ram is the best example of devotion of a servitor. He is capable of moving mountains, seizing the clouds, darting through air and wielding rocks. He is worshipped as a deity with magical powers and abilities to conquer evil spirits.
How is Hanuman Jayanti Celebrated?
On this day, spiritual discourses are started before dawn in Hanuman temples everywhere since Lord Hanuman was born at sunrise. People wake up before dawn, take bath and spend the day by reciting the Hanuman Chalisa which is a set of prayers glorifying Hanuman, describing his past times. On Hanuman Jayanti day devotees visit a Hanuman temple and take the sindoor from Hanuman’s statue and apply it to their forehead because of the belief that Hanumanji loves sindoor. Special Pujas are performed and offerings are made to Lord Hanuman which includes flowers, oil and coconut. After this the Prasad is served amongst the devotees. Hanuman devotees also keep fast on Hanuman Jayanti day.