Hanuman Jayanti

Hanuman Jayanti is observed on Chaitra Purnima (the full moon of Chaitra, March–April) in north India, and on different days in other regional traditions (Vaishakha Krishna in the south, the new moon of Margashirsha in Maharashtra). The story: Anjana, an apsara who had been cursed to be born as a vanara (monkey), prayed long and devotedly to Lord Shiva. Shiva, pleased, granted her a son who would carry an aspect of his own essence — the wind-god Vayu was the medium. Hanuman was born to Anjana and Kesari at sunrise on Chaitra Purnima, with the strength of Shiva and the mobility of Vayu.

Hanuman's life is woven through the Ramayana — meeting Rama in exile, finding Sita in Lanka, fetching the Sanjivani herb to revive Lakshmana, burning Lanka with his tail, leading the monkey army. He is the supreme bhakta — devotion in absolute form. To worship Rama is to honour Hanuman; to honour Hanuman is to reach Rama.

Devotees observe a fast and visit Hanuman temples — the largest crowds at Salasar Balaji (Rajasthan), Mehandipur Balaji, Sankat Mochan (Varanasi), and the Hanuman Garhi (Ayodhya). The Hanuman Chalisa — Tulsidas's forty-verse hymn — is recited multiple times through the day. Sundarkand, the fifth book of the Ramcharitmanas, dedicated wholly to Hanuman, is read in households.

Offerings of vermilion (sindoor) and oil are made to the Hanuman murti — the classical iconography shows Hanuman smeared in vermilion. Boondi, laddoo, and bananas are typical prasadam.