Hanuman Jayanti
Little Aarav was astonished to see the long queue right adjacent his house. Knowing that his house was right next to the Hanuman Temple, he had become a regular witness of all devotees that came in daily to offer their prayers. But today the scenario was extremely different. Not only were their chants and Bhajans louder than daily but also the devotees of the temple had multiplied by Hundreds. Looking for answers he climbed up to his grandfather’s lap and asked. The old wrinkled man smiled and narrated him the decade’s long ritual and tradition of Hanuman Jayanti.
This is a well-accepted and known fact that the Hindu religion has an abundance of gods and goddess. Amongst all, Lord Hanuman is one of the very popular divine entities. Every child in a Hindu household has grown up listening about his heroic tales and stories. Be it the story of how he got the whole mountain of Sanjeevani for Lord Laxman or his undying devotion to Lord Rama and his consort Sita.
Lord Hanuman played a pivotal role in Ramayana. He is the son of God of Air (Vayu) and Queen Kesari. He is known to be an incarnation of lord Shiva and is a Vanara (monkey) by nature. Mainly the festival of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Hanuman, to celebrate his bravery and ardent devotion to his God. The celebrations take place on the 15th day of the Month of Chaitra (Poornima) according to the Hindu calendar. Even though a large part of the Hindu fraternity follow the earlier date, down in South, i.e. in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the event is celebrated in the month of Marghazi according to Hindu calendar due the belief that Lord Hanuman was Amavasya born. Whereas, in Orissa it is celebrated on the first day of the Vaishka month according to the Oriya Calendar.
The Hanuman Jayanti is an extra special day for all the Brahmachari’s owning to the fact that Lord Hanuman is supposed to be a bachelor for eternity according to an oath that he took. Also because his bravery and muscle power has been so popular, he is also a religious idol for all Pehalwans and body builders in the Hindu community.
On the day of Hanuman Jayanti, the celebrations begin at the break of the dawn. After the holy Bath of lord Hanuman, a huge Kirtan session is organized. People from around the world come with numerous offerings. There are plays and parades conducted on his birthday. Everyone is dressed with the orange Tilaka as it was considered to be his body’s ash or a part.
This year around the Hanuman Jayanti is falling on the 4th of April which is a Satuday. It’s said that not only the humans but the Vanara Community dance and sing with Joy to show their happiness on the birthday of their lord and leader. It’s an event of junction of two communities tied with the strong thread of love and devotion to Lord Hanuman.
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