Chaitra Purnima (Hanuman Jayanti) चैत्र पूर्णिमा (हनुमान जयन्ती)
Chaitra • Purnima
Also known as: Hanuman Jayanti
Story — Significance of Chaitra Purnima (Hanuman Jayanti)
Birthday of Lord Hanuman — born to Anjana and Vayu (wind god) on this Purnima at sunrise. Hanuman Chalisa recital is the central practice.
Benefit
Strength, courage, removal of obstacles; protection from evil forces
Special Note
South India observes Hanuman Jayanti in Margashirsha or Vaishakha — but North India follows Chaitra Purnima. See /scriptures/chalisa/hanuman-chalisa for full text.
Vrat Vidhi (Procedure)
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1
Pre-Sunrise Bath
Wake before sunrise. Take a holy bath — ideally in a sacred river, otherwise add Ganga jal to water. Wear clean white or yellow clothes.
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2
Satyanarayan Vrat (most common)
Setup a kalash, Vishnu/Satyanarayan murti or photo. Offer panchamrit, banana, panchamrit prasad (banana-flour-jaggery-ghee mix). Recite the 5 chapters of Satyanarayan Katha. Distribute prasad.
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3
Day Observance
Maintain saatvik food. No grains in some traditions; others permit one full meal. Visit a temple, give donations, feed Brahmins. Practice Vishnu Sahasranama or naam-japa.
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4
Moonlight Offering
After moonrise, offer arghya (water libation) to the Moon. Place kheer or sweet rice in moonlight to absorb lunar nectar (especially on Sharad Purnima). View the moon with reverence — Purnima is the day to gaze at the Moon as a deity.
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5
Charity
Donate white items: rice, milk, sugar, white cloth, silver. Feed cows. Light lamps in temple — 108 lamps is especially meritorious.
Mantras
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