gk 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 events 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 these temples in Aliganj go to temples section of our site Old Aliganj Temple and New Aliganj Temple]

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.

 

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|| Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram ||
|| Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram ||

 

ED [13th January 2002]