Hanuman Janam-Utsav or Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on full moon day during Chaitra month of Hindu lunar calendar. Hanuman, who is also known as Vanara God, was born on this day and Hanuman Janamotsav is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman. It is believed that Hanuman was born at Sunrise. On Hanuman Janamotsav day temples start spiritual discourses at dawn before Sunrise and stop it after Sunrise.

Anjana was an Apsara. She took birth on earth due to a curse. She could only get rid of this curse after giving birth to a son. According to the Valmiki Ramayana, the father of Hanuman was Kesari, the King of the place Sumeru. Kesari was the son of Brihaspati. Anjana prayed to Shiva for 12 long years in the desire of a son. As a result, she got Hanuman. It is believed that Hanuman is the incarnation of Shiva. The legend goes that in his childhood, he assumed that the Sun was a delicious fruit and tried to swallow it. Foreseeing danger Lord Indra, the King of the Gods struck Hanuman with his thunderbolt and wounded him. In anger Lord Pavana went away with Hanuman to the nether region endangering the existence of all humans and gods. At length Brahma, the Lord of all cosmos appealed to Pavan to return to earth. To appease him, all the gods conferred great boons on Hanuman making him immortal and more powerful than any other being. Thus Hanuman is the embodiment of the powers of all gods. Hanuman, an ardent devotee of Lord Rama and Sita himself, is also known as Anjaneya. It is said, wherever the name of ‘Ram’ is being chanted, Hanuman is there. Such is the devotion of Lord Hanuman, that whoever turns to Him is blessed with single-pointed devotion to the Supreme Lord. In the Ramayan, Hanuman displayed is utmost devotion through every action He took in service to Lord Rama. From finding to Sita Devi, to lifting an entire mountain (Dron Parvat) to help save Lakshman, Lord Hanuman’s only aim was and is always to serve His Master.

Devotees observe Hanuman Janamotsav during different time of the year according to their regional beliefs and the type of calendar being followed. Hanuman Janamotsav during Chaitra Purnima is the most popular one in North Indian states. In Andhra, Hanuman Janamotsav is celebrated for 41-days which starts on Chaitra Purnima and ends on the tenth day during Krishna Paksha in Vaishakha month. In Andhra Pradesh devotees begin 41-days Deeksha on Chaitra Purnima and conclude it on Hanuman Janamotsav day. In Karnataka, Hanuman Janamotsav is observed on Shukla Paksha Trayodashi during Margashirsha month. The day is popularly known as Hanuman Vratam. In Tamil Nadu, Hanuman Janamotsav is known as Hanumath Jayanthi and observed during Margashirsha Amavasya. In Gregorian calendar Tamil Hanuman Jayanti falls in January or December.

May you get blessed by the Lord Hanuman on Hanuman Janamotsav..