Hanuman Jayanti 2019: Date, puja timings and significance

New Delhi: This year, the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti will be celebrated on April 19. The day is marked to usher in the celebrations of Lord Hanuman's birth. It usually falls on either the Chaitra month or in Vaisakha but down south in Kerala and Tami Nadu, it is celebrated in Dhanu, locally known as Margazhi.

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on different days in parts of India, depending upon various religious beliefs. However, the one which takes place during Chaitra Purnima is the most common one marked to commerate Lord Hanuman's birthday.

Hanuman Jayanti Puja Timings:

Purnima Tithi Begins = 19:26 on 18/Apr/2019

Purnima Tithi Ends = 16:41 on 19/Apr/2019

(As per drikpanchang.com)

On this day, the bhakts of Vanara god or Hanuman visit temples and seek his blessings. They offer sindoor, sweets, flowers, coconut to the Lord and in return get the same as prasad including Ganga Jal or Holy water of Ganges.

Devotees throng Hanuman and Lord Rama temples and pray to the good lord for his blessings and seek protection. They recite Hanuman Chalisa, bhajans and mantras for pleasing the god.

Lord Hanuman symbolises power, strength and is an ardent Lord Rama follower. His devotion towards Rama is hailed and praised in various ancient scriptures like Ramayana.

There are various legends associated with the birth of Lord Hanuman:

According to Valmiki Ramayana, Apsara Anjana prayed to Lord Shiva and set out on an intense meditation for 12 long years to get a child. After being pleased with her devotion and intense prayer, Lord Shiva granted the song to Anjana and her husband Kesari, who was the son of Brahaspati.

Kesari was the king of Sumeru. Hanuman was the son which Lord Shiva granted to Anjana and Kesari. He was born on Anjaneri mountains.

However, as per other beliefs, Hanuman is believed to be the reincarnation of Lord Shiva.

Also, there is another set of legend which says Vayu—the wind god on Lord Shiva's instruction transferred his male energy to Anjana's womb, therefore, Hanuman is also known as pawan putra Hanuman (son of wind).

As per Vishnu Purana and Nardeya Purana, the birth of Hanuman, a Vanara, is linked to how once Narada cursed Vishnu for making him look like a Vanara—ape. Narada, who had sought Lord Vishnu's help to impress a princess felt humiliated a when the lord instead made him look like an ape (Narada wanted his face to look like that of the Lord) and the princess laughed at him.

After this, Narada cursed Lord Vishnu that one day he shall be dependant on a Vanara. The Lord told Narada, that he had made him look like a Vanara for his own good and made him realise that Hari in Sanskrit also means Vanara.

Hearing this Narada repented his curse but the Lord comforted him by saying that one day this curse shall act as a boon as it would lead to Lord Hanuman's birth (an avatar of Lord Shiva) who would help Lord Rama (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) in killing Ravana.

Here's wishing the readers a happy Hanuman Jayanti!