HANUMAN JAYANTHI

Hanuman

Hanuman Jayanti or Hanumath Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman, the Vanara god and is considered as an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He is widely venerated throughout India.

Hanuman is an ardent devotee of Lord Rama, and is worshipped for his unflinching devotion to the god. From early morning, devotees flock Hanuman temples to worship him.

Hanuman Jayanti is an important festival of Hindus. Hanuman is the symbol of 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 Garuda in swiftness of flight. He is worshipped in folk tradition as a deity with magical powers and the ability to conquer evil spirits. The devotees visit temples and apply tilaka of sindhūr to their foreheads from Hanuman's idol as Hanuman himself was of that color. A few thousand years before Ramayan time (in the latter part of Tretayuga - 2 million years ago), several divine souls came to Earth and modified the bodies of ape like creatures through evolutionary methods (genetic mutation) so that the animals could play the role of vehicles for these divine souls. That's how Vanara race with reddish orange color (hues of deep orange and light red) was established before the Ramayan time. Hanuman was born in to this Vanara community and was in reddish orange color. So in all the Hanuman temples we see Hanuman colored in different hues of reddish orange color.

Devotees observe Hanumath Jayanthi during different time of the year according to their regional beliefs and the type of calendar being followed.

In Tamil Nadu Hanumath Jayanthi is observed during Margashirsha Amavasya. Most of the time, Margashirsha Amavasya coincides with Moolam Nakshatram. It is believed that God Hanumath was born during Margashirsha Amavasya when Moolam Nakshatram was prevailing. In years when Moolam Nakshatra doesn't coincide with Amavasya, Amavasya day is preferred to decide Hanumath Jayanthi day. In Gregorian calendar Tamil Hanumath Jayanthi falls in January or December.

.In North Indian states, Hanumath Jayanthi is known as Hanuman Jayanti and it is observed on full moon day during Chaitra month.

In Andhra, Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated for 41-days which starts on Chaitra Purnima and ends on the tenth day during Krishna Paksha in Vaishakha month. In Andhra Pradesh devotees begin 41-days Deeksha on Chaitra Purnima and conclude it on Hanuman Jayanthi day. 

In Orissa, the Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on the first day of Baisakha month as per Oriya calendar (normally comes on April 14 or 15). There it is also celebrated as New Year for all Oriyas (i.e. Maha Vishuva Sankranti).

COURTESY: en.wikipedia.org; drikpanchang.com