Indian Caribbean New Yorkers observe Hanuman Jayanti (appearance or birthday of the Hindu God/Messenger) on Saturday April 12 with prayers at home and or in the mandir in the morning and evening. Hanuman Jayanti is a most important deity, and the festival is observed by virtually every Hindu. Many Hindus conducted puja at home on the occasion. In the mandir, the festival was celebrated with gusto, puja, songs, and music. Temples in New York and around America were packed with worshippers. Hanuman is known in the scriptures as a loyal devotee of Lord Rama who instructed devotees to worship him. In the Caribbean, Hindu worshippers also conducted puja at home and in mandirs.
People thronged to the mandirs in NY and in other parts of America and in the Caribbean as well. In the mandirs, there was singing of bhajans and appropriate music and hand clapping, Pandits held a discourse from the holy Ramayana. Offerings were made to Lord hanuman. Many pandits and devotes as well as shrotas (those who partook in the puja) making offerings (including prasad and clothing). Devotees were well attired, many in red, the favorite color of Hanuman. The Hanuman murthi was also well dressed in red color.
Offerings to Hanuman are the same everywhere at all homes and temples in America and globally – red flowers, red cloth, rote (fried sweet roti), ladoo, and other sweets. The Hanuman murthi was also decorated in sweet-smelling red malas. Incense was burnt. Havan was conducted. The murthi was garlanded with fresh red. Hanuman Jayanti is a holiday in India and is usually celebrated in the Spring on the night of the full moon in the month of April, a month after the observance of Phagwah which is also observed on a full moon. The festival comes some eight days after Ram Navami or birth of Lord Ram.
Hanuman in the Ramayana was revealed as a loyal soldier and messenger of Lord Rama. He was a courageous warrior to assisted Ram in his battle against Ravan. He offered guidance and protection to Ram as the latter searched and fought for his wife Goddess Sita.
Hanuman fetched the medicine to heal Ram’s brother Latchman who was wounded by Ravan in battle.
Lord Ram instructed that Hanuman be worshipped at every puja to him. Lord Hanuman is a dedicated disciple of the God Rama, who is worshipped all over the globe with deep devotion. Because of his faithfulness to Lord Rama, the Lord urged Hindus to worship Hanuman before they pray to him.
Hanuman is worshipped for devotees to obtain strength, valour, wisdom and knowledge. Worshipping Hanuman also provides control over mind and soul and provides power of self-control. Hindus worshipped Hanuman Jayanti for self-realisation as well as to give homage to the lord. Hanuman had magical mystical powers, and is a symbol of strength and energy. Hanuman is usually worshipped on Tuesdays and Saturdays. But Hanuman Jayanti can fall on any day which is good for Hanuman puja.
Lord Krishna also has faith in Hanuman and flew a Hanuman (red) flag on his chariot when he fought in battles. At the mandir, devotees read Hanuman Chalisa as it is about one’s ability to conquer evil spirits and provides peace of mind.
At the mandir, the pandits lectured on the life of Hanuman and his devotion to Ram. Devotees chanted mantras and sang Aarti songs, and they performed oblations and many other ritualistic aspects of worshipping. After havan and aartee, culminating the prayers, prasad was distributed to the gathering and vegetarian bhojan served.
