Fortune

Celebrate Hanuman Jayanti to appease the Navagraha and to gain supreme power | Tuesday 27th April 2021

In Agastya Samhita and Vayu Purana, it is documented that on Tuesday, during Swati nakshatra and Mesh lagna, in the holy chaturdashi tithi of Kartik month, Lord Shiva in the form of Kopishwar Hanuman took birth from the womb of Devi Anjana. Lord Hanuman is regarded as the 11th rudra avatar of Lord Shiva. Also known as Bajrangbali, Mahaveera, Pavansuta, Anjanisuta, Maruti and Sankat Mochan among his devotees, He remains the embodiment of strength, sacrifice, devotion, knowledge, loyalty, divine power and intelligence. Hence, all the devotees of Lord Hanuman worship Him on this day by observing various rituals. In northern part of the country, this day is celebrated with a lot of pomp. This year this falls on 27th April 2021.

Fasting for Hanuman Jayanti should be done on Monday 26th April 2021.

Pooja Rituals
Before commencing the pooja rituals related to Lord Hanuman, special prayers are offered to Shree Rama. Then the traditional customs for Hanuman pooja starts. At first, the idol of Hanuman is bathed with pure water and then anointed with a mix of fragrant ‘sindoor’ (vermilion) and ghee. The god is offered churma and ‘modak’ made of wheat, sugar and ‘ghee’. Bananas, guava and other fruits are offered to Him. It is a ritual to offer red masculine flowers, tulsi and bilva leaves to the divine son of   Vayu. The ‘Sundarkaanda’ of Ramcharit Manas is recited while performing the puja. Shodashopachar rituals are performed in order to worship Lord Hanuman. The devotees chant the mantra: ‘Om Hung Hanumataye Namah’

Special prayers in the evening
At night, lamps (diya) of ‘ghee’ are lit in front of the deity. A red coloured diya is used to perform the aarti ritual. 5, 11, 50, or 108 diyas are used for the aarti ritual. Evening is considered the main time to offer prayers to the god as He was born late in the evening. On Hanuman Jayanti pooja should be offered to Lord Hanuman twice- one in the morning or afternoon and the other in the evening. Devotees stay awake the whole night by singing bhajans and hymns.

Important things for the pooja
Chowki, red silk clothes, holy thread, vermilion, roli, betel leaf, betel nut, yagyopavit, clove, cardamom, flowers, garland, incense, rice grains, sandalwood, milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, prasad, water of any holy river, seasonal fruits and dakshina are some of the significant things needed for the pooja.

The significance of praying Lord Hanuman on the Krishna Chaturdashi   
Though most people observe Hanuman jayanti on this day, the ‘Chaitra Shukla Purnima’ is considered as the birth of Hanuman in religious scriptures such as Ananda Ramayana. The reason behind celebrating it on ‘Krishna Chaturdashi’ is an ancient belief of the masses. It is said that when Shree Rama returned to Ayoddha after defeating Raavan, Sita gave her most precious pearl necklace to Hanuman as a gift of appreciation. However, Hanuman was not happy with it as the necklace did not have the name of Shree Rama on it. Then Sita took ‘sindoor’ from her forehead and gave it to Hanuman. Hence, this day was marked special and it became a tradition to celebrate Hanumajjanma Mahotsava and offer ‘sindoor’ to Lord Hanuman on the ‘Krishna Chaturdashi’.

Blessings for a happy life
Worshipping Lord Hanuman fulfills all the desires of living a happy, healthy and prosperous life. Also, offering prayers to the god ensures that all the nine planets (navagraha) are appeased. With his supreme blessings, all the ill-effects of the planets get diluted.

By: Dr. Surendra Kapoor
Renowned Astrologer | Vastu Expert