HANUMAN JANMOTSAV
Hanuman Janmotsav is the celebration of birth of Lord Hanuman, the Vanara god who epitomises strength, loyalty, and selfless devotion.
Across India and the world, devotees are visiting temples to honour the "Sankat Mochan" (the dispeller of sorrows). Here is an overview of why this day is so significant and how it is being celebrated.
The Significance of Hanuman Janmotsav
Hanuman Janmotsav is celebrated on the Purnima Tithi (full moon day) of the Hindu month of Chaitra. Lord Hanuman is considered an incarnation of Lord Shiva and the most dedicated devotee of Lord Rama. He is worshipped not just for his physical prowess—having once leaped to the sun thinking it was a ripe fruit—but for his immense wisdom and humility.
For many, this day is a reminder that true power lies in service. Hanuman never used his strength for personal gain; every feat he performed was in service to Rama and the protection of righteousness.
Rituals and Traditions
If you visit a Hanuman temple today, you’ll notice a sea of saffron and the rhythmic chanting of ancient verses. Here are the core traditions observed:
The Saffron Chola: Devotees offer sindoor (vermilion) mixed with jasmine oil to the idol. Legend says Hanuman once covered his entire body in sindoor to ensure Lord Rama’s immortality, as Sita told him it was a sign of devotion.
Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa: It is a common tradition to recite the Hanuman Chalisa or the Sundarkand (the chapter of the Ramayana dedicated to Hanuman’s heroics). Many believe reciting the Chalisa seven times today brings immense mental clarity and protection.
Offering of Bhog: Lord Hanuman is famously fond of sweets. Motichoor Laddoos, Besan Laddoos, and Boondi are the most popular offerings. Many also offer roasted chana and jaggery (Gud) to alleviate "Mangal Dosha."
The "Ram Naam": Since Hanuman is the ultimate devotee, the best way to please him is often said to be chanting the name of Lord Rama.
Spiritual Takeaway
In the modern world, Hanuman Jayanti is more than just a religious festival; it’s a celebration of courage. Whether you are looking for the strength to overcome a personal hurdle or the discipline to stay loyal to your goals, Lord Hanuman serves as the ultimate archetype.
The birth of Lord Hanuman is a fascinating intersection of heavenly decrees, a queen’s penance, and the elemental power of the wind. It explains why he is known by so many names: Anjaneya (son of Anjana), Kesari Nandan (son of Kesari), and Pavanputra (son of the Wind).
1. The Celestial Curse
The story begins in the heavenly court of Lord Indra. A beautiful apsara (celestial nymph) named Punjiksthala was once cursed by a sage to be born on Earth in the form of a monkey. The only way to break the curse was to give birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
She was reborn as Anjana, the princess of a mountain kingdom, and later married Kesari, a powerful Vanara chief. Despite their happiness, they remained childless, and Anjana began a rigorous penance to Lord Shiva to fulfill her destiny and break her curse.
2. The Divine Pudding (The Link to Rama)
While Anjana was praying, a significant event was happening in the kingdom of Ayodhya. King Dasharatha was performing a grand sacrifice (Putrakameshti Yajna) to have children. The god of fire, Agni, emerged and gave the King a bowl of sacred kheer (pudding) to share among his wives.
By divine intervention (or the "will of the gods"), a kite snatched a small portion of this sacred pudding and flew toward the forest where Anjana was meditating.
3. The Intervention of Vayu
At that moment, Vayu, the God of the Wind, saw the kite carrying the divine energy. He directed the wind so that the portion of the pudding fell directly into Anjana’s outstretched palms. Just then, a divine voice told her to consume it.
As she ate the pudding, the cosmic energy of Lord Shiva entered her womb, carried by the essence of the Wind God.
4. The Arrival of the "Monkey God"
On the full moon day of the month of Chaitra (Chaitra Purnima), Anjana gave birth to a radiant baby boy. Unlike ordinary infants, this child was born with earrings and a loincloth, glowing with the brilliance of a thousand suns.
Because he was born to Anjana, he was called Anjaneya. Because Vayu had carried the divine spark to her, Vayu claimed the child as his spiritual son (Pavanputra).
The Three "Fathers" of Hanuman
In Hindu tradition, Hanuman is said to have three fathers, each representing a different aspect of his existence:
Kesari: His earthly, biological father who provided his lineage.
Vayu: His spiritual father who provided his life force (Prana) and the ability to fly.
Lord Shiva: The divine source whose essence took form as Hanuman to assist Lord Vishnu (Rama) on Earth.
With his birth, the curse on Anjana was lifted, and she eventually returned to her celestial form, leaving her son to become the legendary hero of the Ramayana.
Lord Hanuman’s life is a tapestry of incredible feats, blending divine power with a child-like innocence and unwavering devotion. Here are the most famous stories of the "Anjaneya" (Son of Anjana):
1. The Golden Fruit (The Sun)
When Hanuman was a child, he woke up feeling incredibly hungry. Looking at the sky, he saw the rising sun and mistook it for a ripe, glowing mango. Using his divine powers, he flew into space to consume it.
The King of Gods, Indra, became alarmed and struck the child with his thunderbolt (Vajra), breaking Hanuman’s jaw (hence the name "Hanuman," meaning "one with a broken jaw"). To appease Hanuman’s father, Vayu (the Wind God), the deities bestowed Hanuman with various boons, making him immortal and invincible.
2. The Curse of Forgetfulness
As a young boy, Hanuman was mischievous and often troubled sages during their meditations using his immense strength. To keep him in check, the sages placed a mild curse on him: he would forget his divine powers until someone reminded him of them. This is why, in the Ramayana, Hanuman has to be reminded of his ability to fly and expand his size by Jambavan (the bear king) before he leaps across the ocean to Lanka.
3. The Leap Across the Ocean
To find the abducted Sita, Hanuman had to cross the 100-yojana wide sea. During this flight, he faced three major obstacles:
Mainak Mountain: A mountain that rose from the sea to offer him a place to rest. Hanuman politely declined to stay focused on his mission.
Surasa: A serpent-mother who challenged him. When she opened her mouth to swallow him, Hanuman expanded his size, then suddenly became tiny, flew into her mouth and out of her ear, "completing" the challenge through wit.
Simhika: A demoness who caught travellers by grabbing their shadows. Hanuman dove into her mouth and destroyed her from the inside.
4. The Burning of Lanka
After finding Sita in the Ashoka Vatika, Hanuman allowed himself to be captured by Ravana’s son, Indrajit. Ravana ordered Hanuman’s tail to be set on fire as punishment. However, Hanuman used his powers to grow his tail longer and longer. Once lit, he broke free and leaped from rooftop to rooftop, setting the golden city of Lanka ablaze, leaving only Sita’s dwelling untouched.
5. Bringing the Sanjeevani Mountain
During the great war, Rama’s brother Lakshmana was mortally wounded. The only cure was the Sanjeevani herb, found on the Dronagiri mountain in the Himalayas. Hanuman flew to the mountains but was unable to identify the specific herb among the glowing plants. To save time, he simply uprooted the entire mountain and carried it back to the battlefield on his palm.
6. Tearing Open His Chest
After Rama’s coronation, Sita gifted Hanuman a precious pearl necklace. Hanuman began to bite and break the pearls one by one. When asked why he was destroying such a gift, he replied that if the pearls didn't contain the name of "Rama," they were worthless to him.
When people mocked him and asked if Rama was in his body, Hanuman tore open his chest with his bare hands, revealing the images of Rama and Sita residing literally in his heart.
7. Swallowing the "Shani" (Saturn)
In one legend, Shani Dev (the deity of the planet Saturn) attempted to influence Hanuman’s life. Knowing that Shani’s gaze brings misfortune, Hanuman countered by placing Shani on his head. When Hanuman began to expand his size, Shani was crushed against the ceiling. Shani eventually apologised and promised that he would never trouble those who worship Lord Hanuman—which is why people pray to Hanuman to alleviate the effects of Shani.
8. The Humble Encounter with Bhima
In the Mahabharata, Hanuman (who is the spiritual brother of the Pandava Bhima) encounters Bhima in a forest. To humble the proud Bhima, Hanuman appeared as an old, frail monkey lying across the path. Bhima asked him to move his tail, but the "old monkey" asked Bhima to move it for him. Despite his legendary strength, Bhima could not lift the tail even an inch, eventually realising he was in the presence of the mighty Hanuman.
