Hanuman Jayanti Festival 2014

Hanuman Jayanti

Lord Hanuman is one of the most worshipped and revered Gods in Hinduism. Lord Hanuman himself an incarnation of Lord Shiva is an ardent devotee of Lord Ram, who is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Hanuman is worshipped for both physical and mental strength, devotion, perseverance and knowledge. Lord Hanuman is the son of Vayu Dev (Wind God); He is known by many other names such as Bajrang Bali, Maruti, Kesari Nandan, Anjaniputra and many more.

There are numerous legends and mythology associated with Lord Hanuman such as when Lord Hanuman was a kid he mistook the sun as a mango and tried to eat it. One of the names of Lord Hanuman is Sankat Mochan meaning the remover of obstacles. Lord Hanuman is provider of courage, knowledge, strength and valor to His devotees.

In Ramayana Lord Hanuman helped Lord Rama by searching for Maa Sita and finally locating Her in Lanka. Lord Hanuman also killed many demons and set Lanka on fire. Lord Hanuman helped make the bridge to Lanka. In Lanka Hanuman killed Ahiravan to save Lord Ram and Laxman. Lord Hanuman also saved Laxman’s life by bringing Sanjeevani butti when he was hit by Indrajit’s arrow.        

Lord Hanuman is immortal as He has received the blessings of immorality from Lord Ram. Lord Hanuman is the bravest of the brave, strongest of the strong and wisest of the wise. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Hanuman. It’s celebrated in the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. In 2014 Lord Hanuman Jayanti will be celebrated on 15^th April.  

Chaitra Navratri Festival and Durga Puja

Chaitra Navratri is also known as Vasant or Basant Navratri. Chaitra Navratri as the name suggests is celebrated in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra, during the Shukla Paksha. Chaitra Navratri coincides with Ram Navami and hence is also known as Rama Navratri. Navratri literally means nine nights, these nine nights are dedicated to worship of nine incarnations of Goddess Durga.
Chaitra Navratri is celebrated on the first nine days of the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra. The nine incarnations of Goddess Durga that are worshipped during the Chaitra Navratri are Goddess Shailputri, Brahmcharni, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Chaitra Navratri is one of the best periods to worship Goddess Shakti and to chant Durga Suktam.
During Chaitra Navratri devotees observe strict fast and worship Maa Durga with devotion. According to the Brahma Purana on the first day of Chaitra month Lord Brahma started creating the universe. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated with dedication and devotion especially in North India. During the Navratri Puja the first three nights Goddess Durga is worshipped, on the next three nights Goddess Laxmi and on the last three nights Goddess Saraswati is worshipped.

On the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri, Kanya Puja is done in which nine young girls (who haven’t attained puberty) representing the nine Goddesses are worshipped and fed. Durga Stuti ‘Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu shri rupen sansthita namas tasye namas tasye names tasye namo namah’ is recited during the Navratri to worship and revere Goddess Durga.