Hanuman Jayanti is an important Hindu festival celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman, who is considered a symbol of strength, power, and loyalty. This festival is celebrated on the full moon day of Chaitra month, according to the Hindu calendar. It falls between the months of March and April on the Gregorian calendar. This year, Hanuman Jayanti will be celebrated on Thursday, April 6, 2023.
Significance of Hanuman Jayanti
Lord Hanuman is considered one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. He is known for his immense strength, power, and loyalty toward Lord Rama. According to Hindu mythology, Hanuman is an incarnation of Lord Shiva and is believed to possess anima, mahima, garima, laghima, prapti, prakamya, ishitva, and vashitva siddhis, which are the eight supernatural powers that only gods possess.
Devotees worship Lord Hanuman on this auspicious occasion to seek his blessings and to gain courage, strength, confidence, and success in all their endeavors. It is also believed that worshipping Lord Hanuman on this day can mitigate the malefic effect of Saturn.
Celebrations and Rituals
Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion all over India and other parts of the world where Hindus reside. On this day, devotees visit Hanuman temples and offer special prayers to the deity. The celebrations start early in the morning with devotees taking a bath, wearing new clothes, and applying tilak of sinduram to their foreheads from Hanuman’s murti.
The Story of Lord Hanuman
Lord Hanuman is considered one of the most significant deities in Hindu mythology. He is known for his strength, devotion, and loyalty toward Lord Rama. The story of Lord Hanuman begins with his parents, Anjana and Vayu. According to Hindu mythology, Anjana was an apsara cursed to be born as a monkey, and Vayu was the god of wind.
Date and Time of Hanuman Jayanti 2023
Hanuman Jayanti 2023 will be celebrated on Tuesday, 11th April. The festival falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Chaitra. The Purnima tithi begins at 12:34 PM on 6 April 2023.
Lord Hanuman’s Importance in Hindu Culture
As a child, Lord Hanuman was mischievous and playful. He had immense strength and would use it to create havoc in the forest. One day, he saw the sun in the sky and mistook it for a fruit. He leaped into the sky to grab the fruit, but as he got closer, the sun god, Surya, appeared and struck him with a powerful beam of light, throwing him to the ground.
Lord Hanuman fell unconscious, and everyone thought he was dead. When Vayu realized that his son had been hurt, he stopped the winds from blowing, causing chaos throughout the world. The gods then intervened and revived Lord Hanuman, and he became even stronger than before.
Lord Hanuman’s Devotion to Lord Rama
As Lord Hanuman grew older, he became a great devotee of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Rama was the prince of Ayodhya, and he was exiled to the forest for fourteen years along with his wife, Sita, and brother, Lakshmana. Lord Hanuman became a faithful companion to Lord Rama during his exile and helped him in his quest to rescue Sita from the demon king, Ravana.
Lord Hanuman’s role in the Ramayana
The story of Lord Hanuman’s role in the Ramayana is one of the most well-known stories in Hindu mythology. Lord Rama and his army of monkeys had to cross the ocean to reach Lanka, the stronghold of Ravana. Lord Hanuman used his incredible strength to leap across the ocean and reach Lanka.
He searched for Sita and found her imprisoned in Ravana’s palace. He reassured her that Lord Rama would come to rescue her and gave her a message from Lord Rama. Lord Hanuman then returned to Lord Rama and informed him of Sita’s location. He played a crucial role in the war against Ravana, and his heroism and devotion to Lord Rama inspired his fellow monkeys to fight bravely.
Rituals and Customs of Hanuman Jayanti
The rituals and customs of Hanuman Jayanti include fasting, offering prayers, and visiting Hanuman temples. Devotees also read the Hanuman Chalisa, a hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman, and perform aarti. In some parts of India, people organize processions and play music to celebrate the festival.
Impact of Lord Hanuman on People’s Lives
Lord Hanuman’s impact on people’s lives has been significant and widespread. His teachings and stories have inspired millions of people worldwide and have helped them overcome their fears and challenges. Hanuman’s devotion to Lord Rama and his unwavering loyalty has served as a model for people to follow in their own lives.
One of the most significant impacts of Lord Hanuman on people’s lives is the sense of courage and strength that he instills in his followers. Hanuman’s physical and mental strength serves as an inspiration for people to overcome their own challenges and obstacles in life. Many people look to Hanuman as a symbol of courage and strength, and his teachings have helped them develop a sense of resilience in the face of adversity.
Hanuman’s impact on people’s lives also extends to their spiritual well-being. His teachings emphasize the importance of devotion and surrendering oneself to a higher power. This sense of surrender and devotion has helped many people find peace and contentment in their lives.
Hanuman Jayanti Pooja Vidhi
The pooja vidhi of Hanuman Jayanti involves the following steps:
- Take a bath early in the morning and wear clean clothes.
- Decorate the pooja room with flowers and diyas.
- Light incense sticks and offer flowers to Lord Hanuman.
- Recite Hanuman Chalisa and perform aarti.
- Offer sweets and fruits to Lord Hanuman.
Symbolism of Lord Hanuman
Lord Hanuman’s symbolism is prevalent in Hinduism and is often associated with courage, strength, and devotion. Hanuman is often depicted as a monkey, which represents his agility, intelligence, and playfulness. The monkey is also considered to be a symbol of devotion, as monkeys are known for their loyalty to their troop.
Hanuman’s tail is another significant symbol in Hindu mythology. It is believed that Hanuman’s tail represents his ability to connect with people on a deep emotional level. The tail is also believed to symbolize the ability to overcome obstacles and challenges in life.
