RAMESH SAVAIKAR
Hanuman Jayanti or Hanuman Janmotsav commemorates the birthday of Lord Hanuman. It falls on full moon day of Hindu Chaitra month (Chaitra Purnima). This year, it will be celebrated on April 12.
As per the Ramayana, Lord Hanuman, who is also known as ‘Pavanputra’, ‘Sankat mochak’, ‘Anjani sut’, was an incarnation of Lord Shiva and was born to Vanarraj Kesari and his wife Anjani. According to a legend, when Lord Hanuman once saw Sita applying sindur on her face so that Lord Rama may have a long life, he too smeared his body with orange
sindur.
Lord Hanuman is said to be the possessor of Herculean powers, symbolising the qualities of courage, bravery, compassion, and loyalty. His jayanti is celebrated to seek internal strength from him and live a happy, prosperous, long life. In fact, Hindu scriptures hint that devotees can reach Lord Ram only through praying to Lord Hanuman and appeasing him.
This day is celebrated by performing religious rituals like ‘abhishek’, ‘puja’, offering of incense, camphor, sesame oil, ‘aarti’, ‘bhajan’, ‘naivaidya’, etc. Many devotees observe fast. In temples reading of Hanuman charitra, reciting of Hanuman chalisa, Hanuman strotras, and other holy scriptures mark
this day.
In Goa, Hanuman temples are located at various places like Mala-Panaji, Anjuna, Mapusa, Margao, Ponda, Bicholim, etc. The day is celebrated with various religious rituals like anushthanas, aarti, and bhajan. Cultural and musical programmes and drama shows also mark the celebrations. Devotees, in large numbers, throng to Hanuman temples to participate in the celebration and seek his blessings.
