Sri Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on Chaitra Pournami (Pournami/Purnima tithi of the Hindu month of Chaitra) every year in northern and western Bharat according to both the Amanta and Purnimanta Hindu calendar. Interestingly, Hanumangarhi Mandir in Ayodhya observes Hanuman Jayanti a day before Deepawali as it is said that Prabhu Ram blessed Hanuman to be worshipped before Him. 

The southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu celebrate Hanuman Jayanti at different times of the year based on regional beliefs and calendars followed in these states.  

Story of Sri Hanuman

Bhagwan Hanuman was born on Mangalwar (Tuesday) just after sunrise on the Purnima tithi of Chaitra during Chitra nakshatra and Mesha Lagna. He is the son of Vanara king Kesari who ruled Sumeru and his wife Anjana. He is the Anshavatar of Bhagwan Shiva and one of the Ashta Chiranjeevis.

Pawan Deva carried Him to the womb of Anjana and hence He is also known as Vayuputra. He is called Anjaneya since He is the son of Mata Anjana. His immense strength makes Him Bajrang Bali.

He is the epitome of intelligence, presence of mind, courage, righteousness, strength, and an eloquent orator. Shri Ram calls Bajrang Bali one who is learned and knows all the essentials of speaking correctly. He has knowledge of all the Vedas.  

He is known as Hanuman as His Hanu jaw was broken by Indradev’s vajra. The story goes that once Mata Anjana had gone to the forest and baby Anjaneya began to cry out of hunger. He then spotted the rising sun and flew towards it assuming it to be some fruit. Rahu who was on his way to eclipse the sun saw a child flying towards Surya and complained to Indradev who used his vajra to strike a blow.

Vayudev was extremely angered by Indra’s act and went into a cave with the stricken child. Vayu is the life force and in his absence all beings began to suffer. Devas approached Brahmadev who revived the child, and all the devas showered their blessings on Maruti.

These boons gave Him immense powers such as the ability to change His size at will, great speed, enviable mental powers, and no curses that could affect Him, and He is unconquerable. He could also control fire, wind, sun, water, and poison.         

He lived through the Treta Yug serving Shri Ram and decided to reside on the earth where Shri Ram would be remembered, till the end of time. He visited His brother Bhima during Dwapar Yug and was present in the Dhvaja of the Pandavas camp.

Forms of Shri Hanuman

1) Prasanna Anjaneya: Parashar Samhita’s fifteenth chapter mentions this form. Kshatriya Raja Vijaya worshipped Bhagwan to get rid of his earthly bonds. Prasanna Anjaneya freed the king from his bondage to materialistic pleasures.

2) Veer Maruti: Maruti as the courageous one is depicted as battle-ready holding a Gada (mace) and at times with a demon crushed under His feet.  

3) Das Maruti: Here He is seen paying obeisance to Prabhu Shri Ram with folded hands.

4) Dakshinmukhi Hanuman: Maruti facing south direction and the right side is a popular form in temples in several cities of Maharashtra. This form is said to be an aggressive form of Bhagwan emitting energy. People pray to this form to overcome the adverse effects of distressing energies.  

5) Panchmukhi Hanuman: This is one of the popular forms of Anjaneya. He assumed this form to kill Mahiravana (Ahiravana as per some sources) who was an ally of Ravan and king of Patallok. When Shri Ram and Shri Laxman were lured to Patallok by Mahiravana disguised as Ravan’s brother Vibhishan, Maruti went to Patal looking for them.

Mahiravana’s life was concealed in five lamps placed in five different directions that had to be extinguished simultaneously. Hanuman assumed the Panchamukhi form to slay Mahiravana. The five faces are Shri Varaha (north-facing), Shri Narasimha (south-facing), Shri Garuda (west-facing), Shri Hanuman (east-facing) and Shri Hayagriva (upwards/skyward-facing).      

Dwatrimshath Bhuja Maruti (32-armed), Vimshati Bhuja Hanuman (20-armed), Ashtadasa Bhuja Hanuman (18-armed), and Chaturbhuja Anjaneya (4-armed) are the other forms of Anjaneya.

Famous Hanuman Mandirs

Some of the famous Hanuman mandirs in Bharat are:

1) Hanumangarhi, Ayodhya (UP): This mandir is situated on the right bank of River Saryu. A flight of 76 stairs leads devotees to the mandir where six inches long vigraha has been consecrated.

2)Sankat Mochan, Varanasi (UP): Bhagwan Tulsidas is said to have established this mandir and consecrated the murti of Anjaneya.

3) Balaji Hanuman Mandir, Mehendipur (Rajasthan): This mandir is in Rajasthan’s Dausa District. The vigraha is said to be swayambu and the pond near the murti’s feet never dries up.

4) Hanumandhara, Chitrakoot (UP): Here Bhagwan stands against a mountain with a stream flowing by touching the murti.

5) Hanuman Mandir, Salasar (Rajasthan): This mandir is in Churu District’s Salasar village. The vigraha is said to have been unearthed by a farmer while he was strolling in a field. The murti is unique with a beard and moustache.

6) Anjaneya Kovil, Namakkal (Tamil Nadu): This mandir is believed to be 1000 to 2000 years old. The vigraha is 18 feet tall and is seen holding a japmala in His hand with a sword in the waist.

7) Shri Hanuman Mandir, Jamnagar (Gujarat): The mandir dates to 1540 and Ram Dhuni is being sung here continuously since 1964.

8) Mahavir Hanuman Temple, Patna (Bihar): This mandir is right opposite the Patna junction and is said to be the largest recipient of offerings in northern Bharat after Maa Vaishno Devi Mandir.

9) Hanuman Mandir, Prayagraj (UP): The Bajrang Bali vigraha is 20 feet long and is in a sleeping position. It is said that Mata Sita blessed Maruti by giving Her sindoor when the latter was experiencing extreme suffering after returning from Lanka. He is the guardian deity (Kotwal) of Prayag. Local history says Aurangzeb employed 100 soldiers to remove the murti but they couldn’t even move the vigraha.

10) Shri Kashtbhanjan Hanuman Temple, Sarangpur (Gujarat): The mandir comes under the Swaminarayan Sampraday and Maruti assumes the form of Kashtbhanjan meaning one who takes away or crushes one’s sorrows. The murti is a stout figure with a handlebar moustache, crushing a female demon under His foot and baring His teeth.

11) Vaariche Hanuman, Satara (Maharashtra): These are 11 Maruti mandirs constructed by Shri Swami Samarth Ramdas in the Chaphal-Satara region.

Hanuman Chalisa by Goswami Tulsidas is one of the most powerful mantras.

(Featured Image Source: The Open Magazine)