Hanuman Jayanti: The Birth Day of Lord Hanuman

Hanuman in Ravana's Palace

Jay Shri Hanuman! Lord Hanuman is the epitome of courage, strength, and selflessness, and his divine presence has been a guiding light in our life. Hanuman Jayanti is a reminder of the first step of Lord Hanuman’s unwavering devotion to Lord Rama and how he selflessly served him with all his heart and soul.

The birth of Lord Hanuman is celebrated every year as Hanuman Jayanti with great enthusiasm by Hindus all over the world. This day holds immense significance for us, the followers of Sanatana Dharma, as it marks the arrival of one of the most revered and beloved deities in our pantheon.

Why is Hanuman Jayanti Celebrated?

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman, who is considered to be one of the most revered deities in Sanatana. He is known for his loyalty, strength, and devotion to Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to honor Lord Hanuman’s birth and his qualities of strength, wisdom, and devotion. It is believed that observing Hanuman Jayanti with devotion and performing Hanuman puja and reciting Hanuman Chalisa can bring blessings and good fortune in one’s life.

The birth of Lord Hanuman

Long ago, in the magnificent city of Ayodhya, there lived a valiant and noble king named Dasharatha. He had three wives but no children. Worried about his lack of an heir, he approached a sage to perform a yajna or fire sacrifice to obtain progeny. Pleased with the king’s devotion, the sage blessed him with a bowl of sweet rice pudding, which he was to distribute among his wives.

As fate would have it, a vulture snatched a portion of the sweet pudding and flew over the forest. A celestial nymph named Anjana, who was also the wife of Kesari, the king of monkeys, was passing by when the vulture dropped the pudding on her lap. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before her and blessed her with a son who would be known as Hanuman.

Thus, Hanuman was born, with a monkey’s face and a human body. He grew up to become the most loyal and powerful devotee of Lord Rama, accompanying him in his quest to rescue his beloved wife Sita from the Lankan king Ravana. Hanuman’s bravery, strength, and unwavering devotion to Lord Rama makes him an enduring symbol of loyalty and devotion.

Hanuman Jayanti Celebration around India

Hanuman Jayanti Celebration in Calcutta (source)

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated differently in various regions of India. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, it is celebrated with great enthusiasm on the New Moon day in Margali (Dhanu) month, while in Maharashtra, it is celebrated on the full moon day of Chaitra. In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the festival lasts for 41 days and begins on Chaitra Purnima, culminating on the tenth day during Krishna Paksha in Vaishaka.

In Odisha, Pana Sankranti is believed to be Hanuman’s birthday, and devotees flock to temples to chant Hanuman Chalisa and read the Sundarkaand, which is regarded as a sacred activity. Furthermore, the day also marks the start of the New Year in the traditional Odia Solar Calendar. Famous Hanuman temples in Tamil Nadu and Kerala celebrate the festival with great pomp and fervor.

Best Prasads to offer in Hanuman Jayanti

Here are some Prasad items that can be offered to Lord Hanuman on Hanuman Jayanti.

  • Motichoor Laddoo: Mix fresh boondi with sugar syrup, cardamom, chopped nuts, and a small piece of lemon. Ghee or oil is used for deep-frying the boondi. This prasad is often offered to Lord Hanuman every Tuesday.
  • Imarti: Soak black gram and deep-fry it in ghee or oil. The batter is poured in a geometric pattern into the oil and soaked in sugar syrup flavored with cardamom.
  • Chana Gud (Roasted black gram and jaggery) is also a simple and easy prasad that can be offered to Lord Hanuman.
  • Basil or Tulsi can be included in bhog for Lord Hanuman as it has great religious significance for Sanatana.
  • Kesari Bhaat is a delicious and popular bhog item for Hanuman Jayanti, made by roasting cashews and raisins in ghee, adding cloves and soaked rice, stirring it well, and cooking it with saffron strands, sugar, and water until it’s ready to serve.

Hanuman Jayanti Puja Mantra

Hanuman Beej Mantra
ॐ आञ्जनेयाय विद्महे वायुपुत्राय धीमहि। तन्नो हनुमत् प्रचोदयात्॥
ॐ नमो भगवते आंजनेयाय महाबलाय स्वाहा।
ॐ हं हनुमते रुद्रात्मकायं हुं फट्।
ॐ नमो भगवते हनुमते नम:।
ॐ नमो हरि मर्कट मर्कटाय स्वाहा।
मनोजवम् मारुततुल्यवेगम् जितेन्द्रियम् बुद्धिमताम् वरिष्ठम्। वातात्मजम् वानरयूथमुख्यम् श्रीरामदूतम् शरणम् प्रपद्ये॥

There are reasons that these mantras are sought to be chanted. Check out: 8 Lord Hanuman Mantras With Benefits and Meanings.

Some Stories of Lord Hanuman

Inventor of Surya Namaskar

Lord Hanuman was a great yogi. He was the one who discovered Surya Namaskar. In this way, he used to bow down to his Guru (Sun-God Surya). (Recommended – Surya Namaskar Mantras)

Hanuman was an incredibly dedicated student and was able to master all the Vedas in just one week. When it came time for him to pay his teacher, Surya, for his lessons, Surya declined any payment. Surya stated that watching a dedicated student learn was reward enough for him.

In response, Hanuman expressed his gratitude and offered respectful greetings to Surya, which led to the creation of the Surya Namaskar series as a way for Hanuman to pay homage to his teacher as a form of “Guru Dakshina.”

The best Singer in the Universe?

Hanuman is also the lead singer, master vocalist, and expert musician. In Narada Purana, it is mentioned that the Narada Muni gave him the boon of singing.

Sage Narada was a talented musician who became proud of his abilities and considered himself the best in the three worlds. Hanuman and his mother heard Narada singing and Hanuman’s mother praised him, leading to an increase in Narada’s pride. Hanuman, who was already a skilled musician, asked Narada to bless him with the gift of music. 

Narada reluctantly agreed and Hanuman started singing, which was so beautiful that all the devatas stopped to listen. The music was so powerful that it melted the rock where Narada’s veena was placed. Narada was humbled and realized that devotion adds beauty and divinity to music. He acknowledged Hanuman as the best musician in all three worlds and left with a pure heart filled with devotion.

The disfigured Jaw of Hanuman

The name Hanuman in Sanskrit is Disfigured Jaw, where Hanu means ‘Jaw’ and Man means ‘Disfigured.’ He got this name after the incident with the Sun and Lord Indra. Hanuman once tried to eat the sun mistaking it for his fruit. When Lord Indra saw this, he tried to stop him from consuming Sun by attacking him with his weapon (Vajrayudha), which hurt Anjaneya and made a dent in his jaw. That’s why, since this incident, Anjaneya was known as someone with a disfigured jaw, “Hanuman.”

More stories of recite on Hanuman Jayanti and remember everyday on:

10 Interesting Facts about Lord Hanuman

Lord Hanuman: 12 Things You Should Know

Worship Shri Hanuman every day

Hanuman in Ravana's Palace

Worship Lord Hanuman every day, not just on Hanuman Jayanti. Lord Hanuman is a symbol of strength, devotion, and loyalty, and He is known to bestow His blessings on those who worship Him with a pure heart and a dedicated mind.

Devoting yourself to Lord Hanuman every day can bring immense peace and strength to your life. It doesn’t require any elaborate rituals or offerings; all you need is devotion, faith, and a willingness to surrender to the Lord.

You can start by chanting the Hanuman Chalisa every day. This sacred hymn contains 40 verses that describe the greatness and power of Lord Hanuman. Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa can help you overcome obstacles, fears, and challenges in life.

In addition to chanting, you can also light a lamp or a candle in front of Lord Hanuman’s picture or idol every day, offer Him some flowers, and seek His blessings for a happy and peaceful life.

Remember, Lord Hanuman is always there for His devotees, protecting and guiding them through life’s ups and downs. By worshipping Him daily, you can experience His divine grace and blessings in your life.

Jai Shri Hanuman!