Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, the mighty devotee of Lord Rama and one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. Observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April), the festival honors Hanuman's extraordinary qualities - unparalleled devotion (bhakti), superhuman strength (bal), selfless service (seva), celibacy (brahmacharya), and unwavering loyalty. Hanuman is worshipped as the embodiment of courage, wisdom, and the ideal devotee, and his temples are among the most visited in India.
According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Hanuman was born to Anjana and Kesari, blessed by Vayu (the Wind God). As a child, he mistook the sun for a ripe fruit and leapt toward it, only to be struck down by Indra's thunderbolt. When the angered Vayu withdrew air from the world, the gods granted the child Hanuman numerous boons and powers. This origin story explains Hanuman's association with strength, fearlessness, and divine protection.
On Hanuman Jayanti, devotees visit Hanuman temples early in the morning. The idol is bathed with panchamrit and anointed with sindoor (vermilion) and oil. The application of sindoor is particularly significant - the legend goes that Sita once applied sindoor on her forehead for Rama's long life, and when Hanuman saw this, he smeared his entire body with sindoor, reasoning that if a little could benefit Rama, coating himself entirely would benefit Rama even more. This is why Hanuman idols are traditionally orange or red.
Special recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa - the 40-verse devotional hymn composed by Tulsidas - continue throughout the day. Many devotees recite the Chalisa multiple times, with some undertaking a 108-round recitation. The Sundara Kanda of the Ramayana, which narrates Hanuman's journey to Lanka, is also recited. Community meals (bhandaras) serving prasad are organized at temples, and wrestling competitions (kushti) and physical fitness events are held in many regions, honoring Hanuman as the patron deity of wrestlers and athletes.
