Hanuman Jayanti 2018 will be celebrated on March 31. Every year this day is celebrated on full moon day of Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. Sankatmochan, Dukhbhanjan, Maruti Nandan, Pawanputra - these are all different names for the Vanara God. Hanuman is described to have superhuman-like qualities in the scriptures. He could fly and lift an entire mountain. A devotee of Lord Rama, he played a crucial role in the battle between Ravana in Lanka.
Bajrangbali, as popularly called by most of his devotees, is believed to put an end to all miseries and hardships faced by his devotes. He is often likened in an all orange avatar and offered boondi, besan or motichoor laddoo.
Hanuman Jayanti 2018: Details About Timings For Puja, 'Muhurat' Here
This year on Hanuman Jayanti the Purnima Tithi begins at 19:35 on March 30 and ends at 18:06 on March 31.
Sri Hanuman or Hanumanji or Bajrang Bali is a staunch devotee of Lord Sri Ramchandra, the incarnation of truth and virtue. He has been addressed by Sri Tulsidas as Ram Bhakta Shiromani, or the crest jewel of all the devotees of Sri Ram. He is addressed by various names like Pawan Putra, Anjaneya and Hanuman.
The story behind the birth of Hanuman
There’s a story narrated by Agastya Muni to Lord Ram in the Valmiki Ramayana, regarding Hanuman’s birth. Sri Hanuman is one of the 11 expansions of Lord Shiva, who came in monkey form to serve Lord Ram in his mission to annihilate Ravana.
One day, the wife of Lord of monkeys, Vanaraja Kesari was standing on the top of a mountain. Her name was Mother Anjana, one of the celestial nymphs (Apsara Menaka) in her previous life. Since she had disturbed Vishwamitra Muni, the way a monkey does, she was cursed by him to be married to a monkey and give birth to monkeys in her next life.
After her fervent prayers, he gave her a blessing that her son would be a portion of Lord Shiva and a great devotee of a particular form of Lord Vishnu. When she took birth as a human being, she was married to Vanaraj Kesari and was very charming and beautiful.
Vayu Deva, who was watching her from the heavenly kingdom became attracted to her and then, assuming a mystic form, mated with her and hence, Pawan Putra was born as ordained by the divine arrangements.
Hanuman serves Sri Ram
Brihad Bhagwadamrita quotes a verse from Hayashirsha Pancharatra.
Narada muni speaks to Sri Hanuman, “You are the Lord’s servant, His friend, His carrier, His seat, His flag, His umbrella, His canopy, His fan. You are His bard, His adviser, His doctor, His general, His best helper, the expander of His infinite glories.”
The significance of Hanuman Jayanti The sacred day of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with great faith and devotion in India. There are various ways in which the festival is observed across the country.
Northern India: Hanuman Jayanti falls on the day of Chaitra Purnima (falling on March 31 this year). This is considered huge in areas like Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh where devotees of Hanumanji are in large numbers. Many people observe fast on this day. There is an organisation of Bhandara i.e. mass scale feast where people are served puri and sabzi.
Southern India: In the southern part of the country, there are varieties of traditions and customs associated with this festival.
* People of Tamil Nadu observe it on the Amavasya of Margashirsha.
* People of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana observe it for 41-days which starts on Chaitra Purnima and concludes on the tenth day during Krishna Paksha of Vaishakha.
* People of Karnataka observe it on Shukla Paksha Trayodashi of Margashirsha.
* People of Odisha observe it on Mesha Sankranti.
The science behind Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman Jayanti falls on the full moon night of the month of Chaitra. This month, it lies in the ritu sandhi of Vasant and Shishir and the fire has already been weakened by the seasonal change. As a result, people are prone to physical as well as mental diseases due to the disturbances of Vata, Pitta and Kapha levels in our body.
The mental health of a person is affected by the lunar cycle or the cycle of the moon. The day of Purnima is considered as the day when the moon has the most profound effect on the human body. Therefore, for mental cleansing, fasting on the day of Chaitra Purnima was advised by our ancient sages.
Puja Timings for Hanuman Jayanti
The puja for Hanuman Jayanti can be done in Brahma Muhurtam i.e. 4.43am to 6.19am on March 31 and from sunrise till 6.06pm.
Bajrangbali, as popularly called by most of his devotees, is believed to put an end to all miseries and hardships faced by his devotes. He is often likened in an all orange avatar and offered boondi, besanor motichoor laddoo.
There are different beliefs regarding the birthday of Lord Hanuman. Many others celebrate choti Diwali as the birthday of Lord Hanuman. Chaitra Hanuman Jayanti is specifically important for those who have a seven and a half, or a two and a half year long influence of Saturn (Shani) in their horoscope. Lord Hanuman is said to be the 11th incarnation of Lord Shiva, born to the Vanar King Kesari and his wife Anjani with the blessing of Pawan Dev (The god of wind).
Usually, the best way to appease Lord Hanuman is to worship his beloved Lord Rama. Chanting 'Rama' is believed to bring the devotees closer to the Vanar God. You can also recite Hanuman Chalisa or Sundar Kaand paath to worship him. Offer some tulsi leaves, orange coloured sindoor, and rose and marigold flowers along with ganga jal, chana murki and some ladoos.
Lord Hanuman has a special liking for ladoos, he is believed to once have gulped down the sun confusing it for a giant laddoo. Light a ghee diya and sing aarti and bhajans in his name.
Hanuman Jayanti 2018 Muhurat: Purnima Tithi begins at 19:35 on March 30 and ends at 18:06 on March 31.
