Haumath Jayanthi...
g k kaushik
Hanumath Jayanthi (Lord Anjaneya Swami's Date of Birth)
The age of Ramayana is still to be identified, and there are many authors who
credit different dates to the actual time when the story took place. Each of
them advances their reasons for the same after long research. But the
original Ramayana of Valmiki gives us the Date of Birth of Lord Rama
according to the Hindu calendar and each one of us celebrate, the same every
year. But in the case of Lord Anjaneya there is no clue about the date of
birth according to the Hindu calendar. We should agree to the point that it
is not possible to pinpoint the date of birth of such mythological characters
either. Therefore, we should leave this to the traditional belief, and not go
about thrusting our belief and traditions on others in this regard.
In Tamil Nadu the Hanumath Jayanthi is celebrated on the new moon day of the
Markazhi month, (Dec-Jan)and on the constellation of 'Moola' star as per the
solar calendar.
In general, many in India believe that Lord Anjaneya was born on the full
moon day of the bright fortnight (Sukla Paksha) of Chaitra lunar month. This
is generally celebrated as Hanumath Jayanthi as a practice in part of Andhra,
Karnataka, Maharashra and some portions of northern India. The Rama Navami
falls on Chaitra masa Sukla navami and the following full moon the Hanumath
Jayanthi is celebrated through out Karnataka and Andhra. In both these States
the entire sukla paksha of chaitra masa is devoted to Lord Rama and the
celebration is concluded on the full moon day with the Hanumath Jayanthi
celebration. As per the incantation of Sri Guru Samartha Ramadasa (who is
believed to be the amsa of Maruthi) Maruthi was born in mathu masa (chaitra
masa) on full moon day at the sunrise time.
It is interesting to note that the last Jain Teerthankar Mahavir's birthday
also falls on the Chaitra masa full moon day. More interestingly Lord Hanuman
is also worshiped as Mahavir in North India.
But in northern Bihar and in portions of Utter pradesh the Hanumath jayanthi
is celebrated during the Vishak masa (May-June), krishna paksha,
thasami
thithi (tenth day of waning moon). There is a sloka by name 'Hanumath
mangashtakam' in which this had been testified. The origin of this sloka is
not known. Interestingly in the third sloka of the same astakam, it is stated
that Hanuman is married to Swarchala Devi also. Therefore, this sloka may not
be the basis on which this part of the people are celebrating the Hanumath
Jayanthi in Vishak. In Aliganj, near Lucknow in Utter Pradesh, devotees of
Hanuman worship the Lord on the Tuesday following the full moon of Vishak
month known popularly as 'bada mangal'. On that day, the devotees go to
Hanuman temple of Aliganj by walk from Lucknow and nearby places. [for
details about this temple in Aliganj go to temples section of our site] click
According to Sri Agastya Samhita, Sri Anjaneya was born on a Tuesday in
Karthika month (November-December), Mesha Lagna, on Krishna Chaturdasi and in
Swathi constellation.
It is difficult and futile to make known the origin of a rishi or the river
is the saying. If we can conserve this energy of ours in offering our
services to the Lord we are sure to benefit.
Each day is Lords new form.
Each day is His birthday.
Everyday is His birthday.
Let us smaran His name.