When is Hanuman Janmotsav
Celebrated ?
Hanuman Janmotsav, is a Significant, Hindu festival that marks, the birth anniversary
of Lord Hanuman. Hanuman Janmotsav is Celebrated, on Full Moon day
during Chaitra month. It is believed, that Lord Hanuman was
born during "Chaitra Purnima" just after, Sunrise on weekday Mangalwaar.
After, the Celebrations, of the
glorious festival of Ram Navami, the holy HanumanJanmotsav follows, with full opulence.It's the
birthday of, Lord Hanuman the Param Bhakt of, Shree Rama who is believed to put an end to the miseries
and hardships of his followers, he is highly adored by all!
Who is Lord Hanuman ?
Lord Hanuman is one
of the prominent heroes, from the great Epic "Ramayana". He
is also know as Mahavir, Bajrangbali, Anjaneya, Pawan Putra, Anjani Putra, Kesari Nandan and Maruti.
All the people, especially, the loving devotees
of Lord Hanuman celebrate
this occassion with immense devotion and zeal. Lord Hanuman is worshipped, as a deity with the
ability, to attain, Victory against evil and provide protection. On this
auspicious day, devotees of Lord Hanuman celebrate him and seek his protection and
blessings.
History
and the Legend of Lord Hanuman.
The story of birth and history of Lord Hanuman goes
back thousands of year's, at the time of "Ramayana".
King Dashratha was
performing, the Putra Kameshti Yajna, to help him,
get his Heirs as he was childless. After the end of his
successful Yajna, a miraculous Prasadam emerged from the Yajna fire, and was given to the Queen's to consume, so they can bear kids. At at
very moment, a kite ( a bird of prey) snatched, some of that holy Prasadam and flew up. Pawan (Vayu) Dev , Lord of the air
and wind, retrieved it from the Kite, and gave it to Anjana, who ate at the same time. Thereafter, Lord Hanuman was
born of Anjana and know as Pawan Putra, or son of Vayu.
As per another, Legend
there was an Apsara by the
name of Punjikasthala in the heavens at Lord Indra's court.
Once a great Sage by the name of Angira went to the heavens to visit Lord Indra, to please
him Lord Indra asked, Punjikasthala to perform a dance only for
the Sage, she tried her best to impress the Sage, but he was not interested in her dance and went
in to the state, of meditation. Since She disappointed the Sage, the Sage cursed
her, that she will be born as a monkey on
the Earth.
As Punjikasthala reverently,
asked for forgiveness from the Sage, overwhelmed
with her remorse, the Sage gave, her
the boon that, she will give Birth, to a great devotee of the Lord. He told her that your son will forever, serve
the Lord. As the time pass Punjikasthala,
took Birth as the daughter of King Kunjar (King of the monkeys) and got, married
to kapiraj Kesari of
the Mount Sumeru. She prayed
deeply to Lord Shiva and urged, him to be a part of her son who
was yet to be born. The Lord answered
to her, prayers and took birth from her, in the form of Lord Hanuman.
It is believed, that Lord Shiva took the
birth of Hanuman to serve, Lord Vishnu in his Ram Avatar, as he could not do it without talking a birth
on the Earth. Hence Lord Hanuman is also, called to be an Avatar of Rudra the most
powerful form of Lord Shiva.
Significance
of Lord Hanuman-Human History.
Childhood
Lord Hanuman was
born in a Vanar (Monkey) Community. Lord Hanuman is the
son of King Kesari
and Queen Anjana. His birth
name was Anjaneya (son of Anjana). In his childhood, day's Lord Hanuman was
very playful.
It is mentioned, in the Vedic Scriptures that once the child, Hanuman saw the Sun and thought
it was, a ripe Fruit. He began to follow, Sun with the
intention of eating it. Lord Surya was, scared of this little child, who
insisted of having him. Finally Lord Indra intervened and attempted, to convince him to
let go, of Lord Surya, but little Hanuman was
adamant and finally Lord Indra decided to teach him, a lesson and hit, him with
his thunderbolt on his Cheek's and he fell on ground. This infuriated Lord Pawan the God of Air, and he decided to suck out all, Air
from the Earth. This caused a great havoc, on the Earth, because people ,
tree's, and animal's began to die, due to lack of Air. Finally the other, God's came to the rescue. Each of them blessed
little Hanuman with many power's and Lord Indra too have
him a boon of immortal life.
 |
| LORD HANUMAN CARRYING THE DRONAGIRI MOUNTAIN. |
During the war, against the evil forces of Ravana, Lord Hanuman was one of
the chief warrior in Lord Rama's army. He
visited Lanka and gave a ring, given by Lord Rama to Goddess Sita to reassure, her that Lord
was coming to rescue her. On the battlefield when Lord Rama's brother , Lakshmana was
injured and fell unconscious, Lord Hanuman went to
get, the Sanjivani herb, when he could not find the herb,
he lifted the whole Dronagiri Mountain and bought
it with him, and saved the life of Lord Rama's brother
Lakshmanas life.
It is believed that Lord Hanuman,
was also a part of the epic battle, Mahabharata, although, he did
not participate in the war, but he designated, his presence on Arjuna's flag
on his chariot. It was, due to Lord Krishna's and Lord Hanuman's combined
power and protection that Arjuna's Chariot could, undergo
numerous attacks in the war and walk out as Victorious.
Lord Hanuman is, the symbol of loyalty
and devotion, he possesses, unmatched strength and great intellect. He teaches
us the devotion, how to master the five senses, how to be faithful, humility
with power,and helping those in distress.
Lord Hanuman also signifies, integrity, Valor, intelligence, strength, patience and wisdom.
Lord Hanuman is supreme among the
wise, touted as " Buddhimatam varishtham".
Lord Hanuman Co-ordinate, each one of
his energies towards, the love of Lord Rama the
undying commitment, making him free of all physical exhaustion. Lord Hanuman superbly
embodies, " Dasya Bhava" Considering himself
a " Humble Servant" of Lord Rama,
thus it is rightly said, that to reach Lord Rama one
has, to go through Lord Hanuman.
As we celebrate, the auspicious festival of Hanuman
Janmotsav on the 23 th of April this year.
I wish you all Happy
Hanuman Janmotsav.
Summary of Lord Hanuman
Who is Lord Hanuman?
- A central character in the Ramayana, known for his immense devotion to Lord Rama.
- Also known as Mahavir, Bajrangbali, Anjaneya, Pawan Putra, Anjani Putra, Kesari Nandan and Maruti.
- Worshipped as a deity who grants victory against evil and provides protection.
Significance of Lord Hanuman
- Strength and Intellect: Possesses immense strength and is highly intelligent.
- Devotion: The epitome of loyalty and unwavering devotion to Lord Rama.
- Qualities: Teaches us devotion, mastery over senses, faithfulness, humility with power, and helping others.
- Embodiment of Service: Represents "Dasya Bhava," considering himself a humble servant of Lord Rama.
Legends of Lord Hanuman
- Birth: Son of Anjana and Kesari, some believe he is the son of Vayu (wind god) or an incarnation of Shiva.
- Childhood: Known for his playful nature. As a child, he mistook the sun for a fruit and tried to eat it, leading to him being struck by Indra's thunderbolt. This act impressed the gods who blessed him with various powers.
- Feats: Played a crucial role in Ramayana by finding Sita in Lanka and carrying the Dronagiri mountain to save Lakshmana's life.
- Mahabharata: Believed to be present on Arjuna's chariot flag during the war.
Festival
- Hanuman Janmotsav is celebrated on the full moon day during the Chaitra month to mark his birth anniversary.
By Viinod Baherani
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