Hanuman Jayanti is the sacred celebration of the birth of Lord Hanuman, the devoted servant of Rama, the embodiment of strength, humility, and unwavering faith. Observed on the full moon of the lunar month of Chaitra (typically in March or April), this festival honours not only the divine hero of the Ramayana, but also the spiritual ideals he represents—selfless service, divine love, inner discipline, and the transcendence of ego.
Hanuman is revered in both devotional and yogic traditions as a being who has perfectly aligned himself with divine will. Though possessing immense power—able to leap across oceans, uproot mountains, and command celestial forces—he uses these gifts not for personal gain, but in loving service of Rama and Sita. In this, he becomes a symbol of bhakti (devotion), shakti (divine power), and vairagya (detachment), all harmonised in perfect balance.
On Hanuman Jayanti, temples and households are adorned with marigolds, red flags, and images of Hanuman. Devotees rise early to bathe and offer special prayers and pujas, reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, a forty-verse devotional hymn praising his strength and virtues. The atmosphere is vibrant yet deeply focused—filled with mantra, incense, and a quiet sense of reverence.
Spiritually, Hanuman’s birth is not just the arrival of a divine figure, but a manifestation of pure consciousness in action. Born of the wind god Vayu and the celestial being Anjana, Hanuman carries the breath of life, the power of movement, and the purity of intention. His form is both animal and divine—reminding us that sacredness transcends appearances, and that divinity can shine through the most humble expressions.
Philosophically, Hanuman Jayanti invites contemplation on the nature of service without ego. Hanuman performs the most extraordinary feats, yet remains without pride, considering himself merely an instrument of Rama’s will. This attitude exemplifies the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, in which action is performed without attachment to results, offered entirely to the Divine.
In yogic traditions, Hanuman is often linked to the energy of the heart and the root chakra—a bridge between grounded strength and boundless love. His leap to Lanka is seen as a metaphor for the aspirant’s journey across the ocean of ignorance, fuelled by faith, devotion, and courage.
Artistically, Hanuman is depicted in many forms: the child lifting mountains, the warrior tearing open his chest to reveal Rama and Sita within, the servant bowing in surrender. These images are not mere iconography—they are contemplative tools, visual mantras that awaken the virtues he embodies.
Fasting, devotional singing (bhajans), and acts of charity are common on Hanuman Jayanti. Some devotees read the Sundara Kanda, the section of the Ramayana dedicated to Hanuman’s heroic deeds. Others may meditate on his image or chant his name as a form of internal purification.
Hanuman Jayanti is ultimately a celebration of divine strength directed by love. It reminds us that true power is not domination, but dedication—that the greatest warrior is one who has mastered himself, and that in surrendering to the Divine, we discover the boundless energy already within. Through Hanuman’s example, we are called to live with fearless compassion, radiant humility, and unshakable devotion.
