Hanuman Jayanti (హనుమాన్ జయంతి)
Chaitra · Apr · Pan-India
The birthday of Hanuman, the mighty son of Vayu (the wind god) and Rama's greatest devotee. Hanuman is one of the most actively worshipped deities in everyday Hindu life, and his jayanti (birthday) is celebrated with tremendous energy. Hanuman temples across the country are packed from early morning, with devotees reciting the Hanuman Chalisa (a 40-verse devotional hymn) and Sundarakanda. Offerings of sindoor (vermilion paste), sesame oil, and vada mala (garlands of medu vada) are made to Hanuman idols. In Telugu states, the Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy temple near Karimnagar and the Yadagirigutta temple see massive crowds on this day. Many devotees walk barefoot for miles to reach these temples. The story of Hanuman is one that kids connect with easily: as a baby, he mistook the sun for a ripe mango and leaped into the sky to grab it. The gods had to intervene, and Indra struck him with his thunderbolt, giving Hanuman the mark on his chin ("Hanu" means jaw). Hanuman was blessed by all the gods with powers of strength, flight, and invincibility. In Telugu households, Hanuman is the go-to deity before any challenging task. Students pray to Hanuman before exams, families pray before long journeys or job interviews, and wrestlers and athletes consider him their patron. Tuesday and Saturday are considered Hanuman's special days, and many Telugu families visit a Hanuman temple on those evenings.
Why it matters
Honors the embodiment of devotion, strength, and selfless service. Hanuman is worshipped before any difficult task, whether it is an exam, a job interview, or a long journey, making him one of the most practically relevant deities in daily life.
Traditions
- Reciting Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarakanda
- Offering sindoor and oil at temples
- Fasting
- Visiting Kondagattu or local Hanuman temple
Dates
- 2025: 2025-04-12 to 2025-04-13
- 2026: 2026-04-01 to 2026-04-02
- 2027: 2027-04-20 to 2027-04-21