About Hanuman Jayanti
In North India, Hanuman Jayanti is kept on Chaitra Purnima, the full moon of Chaitra, a few days after Ram Navami. Hanuman was born to Anjana and Kesari, and is called Pavanputra, the son of the wind god Vayu, who is believed to have blessed his birth. He is remembered for his strength, his learning and above all his devotion to Rama. He is also believed to be chiranjeevi, ever living, and for that reason many people prefer the name Hanuman Janmotsav, a celebration of his birth, to jayanti.
Stories of Hanuman are told to children in almost every Indian home: how as a baby he leapt for the rising Sun, thinking it a ripe fruit, how he crossed the sea to find Sita, and how he carried a whole mountain to bring the herb that revived Lakshmana. Because he is believed to have been born around sunrise, temples begin their prayers early in the morning.
Devotees visit Hanuman temples and offer sindoor mixed with oil or ghee, red flowers, garlands of betel leaves and sweets such as boondi laddoos. Many recite the Hanuman Chalisa several times, and some keep a fast through the day. In towns and villages, processions carry images of Hanuman with music, and many temples hold a full day of bhajans and community meals.
In parts of South India the day falls in other months. In Tamil Nadu it is kept in Margazhi, in Karnataka many keep it in Margashirsha, and in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana it is kept after a 41-day deeksha. Families follow the day their own region and temple keep.
Where it is kept on Chaitra Purnima, the day is set by the full moon tithi shown above. The worship is simple, and the feeling behind it matters more than ritual detail.
