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 Hanuman Jayanti is one of the major festivals in India. It is widely celebrated in various parts of the country and especially in parts of North India. Plenty of people take part in the Hanuman Jayanti festival.
The Hanuman Jayanti festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Hanuman. Lord Hanuman is the monkey God of mythology. Hindus regard Lord Hanuman as an epitome of strength and faithfulness. The festival is celebrated during the month of Chaitra according to the Indian calendar. It mostly takes place in the period between the months of March and April.
On the day of Hanuman Jayanti, people pay their homage of Lord Hanuman by offering pujas. After the initial worship is over, widespread celebrations take place. The devotees go to the temples of Lord Hanuman and apply tilak of vermillion to their foreheads from the idol of Lord Hanuman. This practice is considered to bring good luck. The body of the idol is then covered with vermillion as a sacred ritual.
In the state of Maharashtra, the Hanuman Jayanti festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra. The maximum celebrations in fact take place in the religious city of Varanasi. The main birthday ritual of Lord Hanuman, also known as Janmotsava is held at the Sankat Mochan Temple for five days.
Wide spread celebrations take place due to the festival and cultural programs are held in which renowned artists from all over the country take part. Sweets and laddoos are offered to Lord Hanuman and are later distributed among other devotees and poor people. People exchange gifts and greetings between family members, relatives and friends. Women dress themselves in traditional sarees and decorate themselves with traditional jewelry.
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