When is Hanuman Jayanti? Date, History, Significance and all you need to know

Hanuman Jayanti, a very famous festival in India, is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Hanuman. According to the Hindu calendar, Hanuman Jayanti occurs every year on the Purnima Tithi (Full Moon Date ) of the month of Chaitra.

It is believed that Bajrang Bali who is also known as Vanara God, was born on this auspicious day and thus, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate his birth.

To pay their respect and worship Lord Hanuman, people wake up early in the day, take bath and perform puja and arti along with singing bhajans. People also recite Hanuman Chalisa, as it is believed that reciting it can ease all the sufferings of one’s life. Different kinds of foods, sweets and flowers are also offered to Lord Hanuman on this day.

Day and date of Hanuman Jayanti 2020: Wednesday, 8 April

Hanuman Jayanti 2020 Puja timing:

According to Drik Panchang, following are the timings for Hanuman Jayanti 2020

Purnima Tithi begins: 12:01 pm on 7 April

Purnima Tithi ends: 8:04 am on 8 April

Mantra for the day

लाल देहि लाली लसे, अरू धारी लाल लंगूर ।

वाजरा देह दानव दलान, जय जय जय कापि सुर ।

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठ ।

वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ।

Recite this mantra as many times as possible during the day, as it will help you strength to overcome difficulties with ease.

Hanuman Jayanti: History

Lord Hanuman was born to Anjana, the wife of Vanaraja Kesari (the King of Monkeys). It is believed that Anjana was cursed by Muni Vishwamitra for disturbing him. He cursed Anjana that she will give birth to a monkey. Anjana tried her level best to get rid of the curse and worshipped Lord Shiva. She urged him to be a part of her son. Thus, it is believed that Lord Hanuman is an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

Another part of the story tells us that King Dasharatha performed a ritual of Putrakameshti yagna in order to have children following which he received some scared payasam. However, a kite snatched a fragment of it and the Pawan Dev handed it to Anjana, and Lord Hanuman was born. Due to which Lord Hanuma is also known as ' Pawan Putra '.

Hanuman, son of wind-god Pawan, is described to have herculean qualities in the scriptures which includes lifting an entire mountain with his one hand. Hanuman also played a crucial role in the battle between Rama and Ravana in the epic of Ramayana. Known for his strength, grit and physical energy, Lord Hanuman was also said to have been able to transform into any form.

The appearance of Hanuman dates back to almost 2.59 million years before. Hanuman is a deity who symbolizes courage, loyalty and compassion.

Hanuman Jayanti: Significance

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with immense dedication by Hindus across India. Devotees on Hanuman Jayanti perform puja by offering vermilion or red cloth, with flowers like marigold, rose and offer laddu, halwa, banana as prasad. As the temples are shut due to the lockdown, it is recommended to avoid processions and religious gatherings during this time.

Lord Hanuman is also known by the names of Bajrangbali, Kesarinandan, Anjaniputra, and Pawanputra. Lord Hanuman is a passionate devotee of Lord Sri Rama and thus, it is said, if you want Lord Rama to terminate all your sorrows, you can reach him only through Lord Hanuman.

In the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated for 41-days which starts on Chaitra Purnima and ends on the tenth day on Hanuman Jayanthi, during Krishna Paksha in Vaishakha month.