Hanuman Jayanti हनुमान जयंती
Dedicated to Hanuman
About Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, the devoted companion of Lord Rama and one of the most worshipped deities in Hinduism. Observed on Chaitra Shukla Purnima in most of India, the festival honors Hanuman's extraordinary qualities: unmatched devotion (bhakti), immense physical strength, scholarly wisdom, and selfless service. Devotees visit Hanuman temples, recite the Hanuman Chalisa (a 40-verse hymn composed by Tulsidas), and apply sindoor (vermilion) to Hanuman idols. The tradition of applying sindoor comes from the story of Hanuman covering his entire body in vermilion to please Lord Rama. Wrestling events and physical competitions are organized in many regions, reflecting Hanuman's role as the patron of strength and martial arts. The recitation of Sundarkand from the Ramayana is considered especially powerful on this day.
हनुमान जयंती भगवान राम के परम भक्त और हिंदू धर्म में सबसे अधिक पूजे जाने वाले देवताओं में से एक, भगवान हनुमान के जन्म का उत्सव है। भारत के अधिकांश भागों में चैत्र शुक्ल पूर्णिमा को मनाया जाने वाला यह त्योहार हनुमान के असाधारण गुणों — अद्वितीय भक्ति, अपार शारीरिक बल, विद्वत ज्ञान और निःस्वार्थ सेवा — का सम्मान करता है। भक्त हनुमान मंदिरों में जाते हैं, हनुमान चालीसा (तुलसीदास रचित 40 छंदों का भजन) का पाठ करते हैं और हनुमान की मूर्तियों पर सिंदूर चढ़ाते हैं। सिंदूर चढ़ाने की परंपरा उस कथा से आती है जब हनुमान ने भगवान राम को प्रसन्न करने के लिए अपने पूरे शरीर पर सिंदूर लगा लिया। कई क्षेत्रों में कुश्ती और शारीरिक प्रतियोगिताएँ आयोजित की जाती हैं, जो शक्ति और मार्शल आर्ट के संरक्षक के रूप में हनुमान की भूमिका को दर्शाती हैं।
Spiritual Significance
Hanuman represents the highest form of devotion (bhakti) and selfless service (seva). His unwavering loyalty to Lord Rama exemplifies the ideal devotee-deity relationship. Worshipping Hanuman is believed to grant courage, remove fears, and protect against negative energies.
हनुमान भक्ति और निःस्वार्थ सेवा (सेवा) के सर्वोच्च रूप का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हैं। भगवान राम के प्रति उनकी अटूट निष्ठा आदर्श भक्त-देवता संबंध का उदाहरण है। हनुमान की पूजा से साहस मिलता है, भय दूर होता है और नकारात्मक ऊर्जाओं से रक्षा होती है।
Key Rituals & Practices
- Recite the Hanuman Chalisa, ideally 11 or 108 times
- Visit Hanuman temples and apply sindoor to the idol
- Read Sundarkand from the Ramayana
- Offer jasmine oil, sindoor, and jaggery as prasad
- Participate in or watch wrestling competitions (akhadas)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is sindoor applied to Hanuman?
According to legend, Hanuman once saw Sita applying sindoor to her hair parting and asked why. She explained it was for Lord Rama's long life and well-being. Overwhelmed by devotion, Hanuman covered his entire body with sindoor, reasoning that if a small amount could benefit Rama, covering himself fully would bring immense blessing to his lord. This act of devotion is why Hanuman idols are traditionally covered in sindoor (orange-red vermilion).
What is the Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Chalisa is a 40-verse devotional hymn composed by the 16th-century poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas in Awadhi language. 'Chalisa' means forty in Hindi. It praises Lord Hanuman's virtues, recounts his heroic deeds from the Ramayana, and invokes his blessings for courage and protection. It is one of the most recited prayers in Hinduism, believed to be particularly powerful when recited during Hanuman Jayanti or on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
On which day is Hanuman Jayanti celebrated?
The date varies by region. In most of North India, Hanuman Jayanti is on Chaitra Shukla Purnima (full moon of Chaitra month, typically April). In some southern states like Karnataka and Kerala, it is observed during the Margashirsha or Vaishakha month. The Tamil tradition celebrates it during the month of Margazhi (December-January). Despite the date differences, the devotional spirit and core rituals remain the same across all regions.
Festival Details
- Deity
- Hanuman
- Category
- Divine Birth
- Regions
- Pan-India
- Calendar Basis
- Hindu Lunar (Panchang)
- Hindu Month
- Chaitra — Shukla Paksha, Purnima
- Importance
- major