Tuesday, 12 April 2011

How Hanuman Jayanti is observed

Hanuman Jayanti or Hanuman Jayanthi is one of the main Hindu Festivals and is celebrated to commemorate the birthday or Lord Hanuman or Anjaneya Swamy. Hanuman Jayanti is observed on the full moon day (Purnima or Poornima) in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March – April).

Lord Hanuman, an ardent devotee of Lord Ram or Ramachandra, is worshipped all over India as well in other countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand. Another importance of Hanuman Jayanti is that, the festival is celebrated not only in Lord Hanuman Temples but also in Lord Ram Temples, as Hanuman is worshipped along with Lord Ram. Hanuman is the greatest devotee of Lord Rama, and seeing his unparalleled devotion Lord Ram gave him the boon to be along with Him and get worshipped by his devotees wherever Lord Ram is worshipped.

Lord Hanuman signifies strength, bravery, intelligence, spirit of selfless service, and his unparalleled devotion towards his master, Lord Rama. Lord Hanuman is known by other names such as Anjaneya, Vayu Putra, Bajrang Bali, Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Kesari Nandan, Pavankumar, Maruti, and Mahavira.

Observing Hanuman Jayanti

On the auspicious day of Hanuman Jayanti, devotees wake up early in the morning and after bath chant the Hanuman Gayatri Mantra and read the Hanuman Chalisa and Bajrang Baan Stotra. Devotees spend the whole day chanting prayers and mantras on Lord Rama and Hanuman. Devotees also visit Hanuman Temple or Lord Ram temples and conduct pujas and offerings. Most devotees visit Hanuman Temple or temples dedicated to Lord Ram and spend the day in the temple. Hanuman devotees also fast on the Hanuman Jayanti day.

As Lord Anjaneya is regarded as the personification of strength and bravery, praying Lord Hanuman and chanting his names is believed to increase the inner strength for overall development.

Hanuman Gayatri Mantra Lyrics

Om Aanjaneya Vidhmahe
Vayu puthraya Dheemahe
Thanno Hanumant Prachodayath

Hanuman Gayatri Mantra Meaning
Om, Let me meditate on the son of Anjana,
Oh, son of Vayu Deva (God of air), give me higher intellect,
And let Hanuman illuminate my mind.

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