Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birth of Hanuman. It is celebrated mostly in the month of Chaitra, though in some parts of India it is celebrated in Vaishakha or in Dhanu. According to Valmiki Ramayan, Hanuman is the leader of Vanaras, a wise Minister of monkey king Sugriva, ruler of Kishkindha. He was born to Anjanadevi on this day, wife of Vanara chief Kesari, from the power of Vayudeva. Hanuman is known for his unconditional devotion to Rama. He is a perfect example of virtue, strength, power, humility and courage.
According to some stories, Anjana was working for a sage. One day while he was meditating she angered him, at which time he cursed her to become a monkey. She asked for forgiveness but the sage envisioned a bigger picture of events to unfold. He asked her to go to the forest in Kishkindha and marry a monkey name Kesari. After she bore a son, she would regain her original form. As soon as Hanuman was born Anjana became a human form and left Hanuman.
As Hanuman grew, one morning he saw the rising red-colored Sun. Mistaking it for a ripe fruit he leapt up to eat it, since he was hungry. In one version of the Hindu legend, the king of gods, Indra intervened and struck his thunderbolt. It hit Hanuman on his jaw, and he fell to the earth unconscious with a broken jaw. His father, Vayu (air), became upset and withdrew into Patala (nether region). The lack of air created immense suffering to all living beings. This led the other gods to intervene and they begged Vayu to return, conferring great blessings and boons on the baby Hanuman to appease Vayu. These boons from all the Gods made Hanuman invincible and more powerful than any other being. Thus, Hanuman became the embodiment of the powers of all the Gods and Goddesses.
In Sundara Kandam, the fifth section of the Ramayana, the narrative deals exclusively with the struggles and achievement of Hanuman in his search for the discovery of Sita’s whereabouts. This section is composed of 68 chapters. When one reads the meaning of all the shlokas in Sundara Kandam, one realizes the benefits of his teachings. These are relevant right up till this day.
How to celebrate
Items required for puja
The following items should be purchased prior to the puja day.
One the day of the puja; clean the stoop and draw Rangoli, if possible, tie a string of mango leaves by the front door. Take a bath, wear clean clothes and follow the steps of the puja:
- Picture or Idol of Hanuman in the Pooja room
- A dupatta or sari to offer to Hanuman
- Plain water in Kalash (pitcher)
- Fresh and washed mango leaves
- Fresh grass
- Sandalwood
- One coconut
- Kumkum/Sindoor
- Turmeric
- Red sacred thread
- Rice
- Betel leaves and betel nuts
- Flowers and Fruits (especially banana)
Devotees can do a traditional pooja or it could be a simple pooja a home. Depending on the household practices the customs or procedures and beliefs could vary from one household to another and across geographical regions of India. Here is a simple way to perform the pooja at home. Most important to do all pooja’s with bhakti.
This is a 16-step service to be executed during worship. It is usually rendered with Vedic chants. Devotees can perform this mentally by closing their eyes, called the “manasa puja.”
Create and altar and keep Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman at the altar. Keep lighted deya and fresh fruits and flowers for the puja. Start the puja:
- Dhyanam (meditating on the Lord Rama and Hanuman)
- Recite a short prayer specific to Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman.
- Avahanam (inviting Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman into the altar)
- Invite Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman to come into the place of worship or idol by chanting the Vedic verse as though you are inviting a loveable guest inside your home.
- Asanam (Giving Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman a seat)
- Offer Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman a seat. when inviting a guest to your house you would offer a comfortable seat to relax. In similar way by chanting the Vedic verse offer a seat to them.
- Padyam (Washing the feet of Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman with water)
- Wash the feet by pouring water at His feet. Imagine you are washing the delicate, lotus feet of the Lord.
- Arghya (offering Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman water to rinse hands and mouth)
- Achamaniyam (offering Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman water to drink)
- Snanam (bathing Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman with only water or Panchamrutha abhishekam (Milk, Curds, Honey, Sugar & Ghee) (keep this aside)
- Wash the God/Goddess with water and wipe clean
- Vastram (dress Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman with new clothes)
- Yagnopavitam (offering Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman a clean sacred thread) (Janevu)
- Gandha (spreading fresh sandalwood paste on Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman)
- Turmeric & Kumkum offering
- Pushpa (offering flowers)
- Recite 108 names of Lord Hanuman while offering flowers.
- Dhoopam (offering incense smoke)
- Deepam (offering diya)
- Naivedyam (offering food)
- Taambulam & Dakshina (offering betel leaves and nuts & money)
- Perform aarti
- Pradakshina and namaskaram (circumambulating the altar, request forgiveness for any omission, mistakes and other unknowing errors.
- Take the holy water or Panchamrutha (request Lord Rama and Hanuman grace and blessings for everyone. Request them to return when the Avahana is offered next time.
Suggested Chants
- Ganesh shloka
- Hanuman Chalisa
- “Manojavam marut Tulya Vegam”
Activity for kids
Crafts (aspoonfulofidea.com)
- Make a crown:You can use many of the templates available online. Print it on a thicker card paper. The kids can decorate the crown, if you want them to spend some time doing that. Then cut out the crown shape and just staple the ends together for the correct size. If you want to directly print a crown, here’s a template found on Imom.
- Make a Hanuman mask.