Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated in Varanasi, India to remember the birth of God Hanuman. Hanuman Vanara avatar is considered as the Rudra avatar of the Lord Shiva. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated each year in the Shukla Paksha (Chaitra Pournimaa) of the month of Chaitra.
Hanuman was a dedicated disciple of the Lord Rama and worshiped by the Hindu people for his constant fondness to Ram. Devotees of the Lord Hanuman wake up early in the morning and gather to Hanuman temples to worship him.
Hanuman Jayanti 2016 would be celebrated by the people this year on Friday, 22nd April.
Hanuman Jayanti 2015
Hanuman Jayanti 2015 was celebrated by the people this year on Saturday, 4th April.
Hanuman Jayanti 2014
Hanuman Jayanti 2014 was celebrated by the people on Tuesday, 15th April.
History
Hanuman Jayanti is very significant festival for Hindus. He is worshiped as a symbol of power and energy. It is considered as Lord Hanuman can assume any form on his will. He can wield rocks, cross oceans, seize the clouds, rival Garuda in swiftness of flight, move mountains, and run from side to side the air. Lord Hanuman is worshiped in the Hindu tradition as an idol of magical powers. He has capability to defeat all the evil spirits.
How Hanuman Jayanti is Celebrated
The devotees of Hanuman go to temples in the morning and take sindhur from Hanuman’s body and apply as a tilak on their foreheads. It is believed that Hanuman loves sindhur. There is a myth behind this, that once upon a time Mata Sita was applying sindhur to her head; Hanuman asked her why she is applying sindhur. Sita replied him that she does this to make sure the long life of Lord Rama. Hanuman was very happy and he smeared sindhur on his entire body to ensure Lord Rama’s immortality.
When Hanuman Jayanti is Celebrated
People celebrate Hanuman Jayanti on the full moon day (Purnima of the month of Chaitra). Hanuman Jayanti falls on the 14th day at sunrise (known as chaturdashi) of Ashvin in the dark fortnight. He was born in the Moola Nakshatra. After puja everyone participate in the arti and take prasad. According to the Purana, Hanuman was blessed by each God when he was just a kid. He torn his own chest to illustrate others that Ram, Sita and Lakshman exists in his heart. He was Brahmachari and lived his whole life in the respect the Lord Ram.
Significance
Varanasi city is one of the most holy cities of Uttar Pradesh, India. All the religious festivals and events are celebrated here in Benares as it is rich in cultural heritages, full of many temples, ghats and holy places. He helped Lord Rama in defeating Ravan and destroying his kingdom. This propitious event is celebrated in Varanasi with big pretension.
Sankat Mochan is the famous temple of Hanuman in the Varanasi city where people gather and celebrate this event by organizing lots of cultural activities. Devotees offer homemade sweets of pure desi ghee laddoos which is most preferred by the Lord. Musical shows and cultural functions take place at the Hanuman Jayanti at Sankat Mochan temple by well-known artists and performers of the city.