On this Saturday 16th April 2022, the Hindu Community is celebrating Hanuman Jayanti, also known as Hanuman Janmotsav. One of the most important dates of the Hindu calendar is Hanuman Jayanti, which marks the birth of Lord Hanuman (the monkey god), the 11th Avatar (form) of Lord Shiva.
Lord Hanuman is worshipped as a deity with the ability to attain victory against evil and provide protection. On this auspicious day, devotees of Lord Hanuman celebrate him and seek his protection and blessings. They flock to temples to worship him and present religious offerings. In return, the devotees receive ‘prasad’ by the temple priests such as sweets, flowers, coconuts, tilak, sacred ash (udi) and Ganga Jal (holy water). People also celebrate him on this day by reciting various devotional hymns and prayers, like the Hanuman Chalisa and reading Holy Scriptures, like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Hanuman Janmotsav is also the biggest celebrated festival in India. Lord Hanuman is an ardent devotee of Lord Rama and is widely known for his unflinching devotion to Rama. Hanuman is the symbol of strength and energy and is said to be able to assume any form at will, wield the gada (including many celestial weapons), move mountains, dart through the air, seize the clouds, and equally rival Garuda in the swiftness of flight.
On this auspicious day, a tilaka of sindoor is applied to the forehead from Hanuman’s idol. As per legend, when Lord Hanuman found Sri Sita applying sindhūr to her forehead, he asked why she was doing this, to which she replied that it would ensure a long life for her husband, Lord Sri Rama. Then, Lord Hanuman proceeded to smear his entire body with sindhūr, thus ensuring Lord Sri Rama’s immortality.
In Mauritius, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated in every Hindu household at around 5am which is considered to be the time that Lord Hanuman took birth. White ladoos (made of milk), roast, suji, bananas and other sweets are offered to the god as offering and the Hanuman Flag is changed. The Hanuman Chalisa is recited and the Ramayana is read on the special day.
On this note, we wish the Hindu Community a very Happy Hanuman Jayanti.
