Hanuman Jayanti -- Rituals

[Guest guest]

Hanuman Jayanti -- Rituals

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman,

the monkey god. It falls on Chaitra Shukla Purnima (in the month of

March-April). This year the festival falls on April 27,2002. Hanuman

was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. He is a symbol of strength and

is worshipped for his unconditional and deep-hearted devotion to

Lord Rama.

This is one of the important festival in India. From early morning,

People come to worship the monkey god. On this holy day, the priests

of temples bathe the idol of Hanuman. Then the body is smeared with

oil and sindoor. Special prayers are offered to the idol in the

temples Hanuman Chalisa is chanted in the temples and houses. In

Bihar and Uttar Pradesh huge tents are erected in front of Hanuman

temples where people congregate to listen to recitations of the

Hanuman Chalisa.

 

Sweets and fruits, especially bananas, are offered to god. Many

men keep fast on this day to seek blessings of Hanuman. This

festival is more important among bachelors and body-builders. For

bachelors as Hanuman himself remained bramchari throughout his life

and devoted his entire life in serving Lord Rama and Sita. And body-

builders worship him because of his strength and energy. Hanuman is

said to be able to assume any form at will, wield rocks, move

mountains, dart through the air, seize the clouds and rival Vishnu's

bird, Garuda in swiftness off light.

In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where Hanuman is most popular among the

wrestlers, stage shows on the life of Hanuman are performed by the

locals artists. Games like wrestling are a common part of this

festival. Wrestling commences with both wrestlers crying 'Jai

Hanuman' or 'Hail Hanuman'.

 

Hanuman is worshipped in folk tradition as a deity with magical

powers and the ability to conquer evil spirits.