Hanuman Jayanti is the full moon of Chet. Punjab's Hanuman temples, most of them attached to an akhara or a larger temple, hold recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa from before dawn, and langars of boondi and chana are served through the day. In Amritsar the Bara Hanuman temple beside the Durgiana tank is the centre.
The story
The Bara Hanuman temple is known for a custom kept in the autumn Navratri: the Langoor Mela, when parents whose prayer for a child was answered dress their small boys as langurs, in red with silver trim, and bring them to dance before the god.
Hanuman is the patron of the akhara, and Punjab's tradition of kushti, wrestling, honours him before every bout.
How it is kept
- Chalisa pathRecited in groups, often 108 times.
- Sindoor and cholaThe image is given a fresh coat and new clothes.
- BhandaraFree meals of puri, chana and halwa.
- DangalWrestling bouts at village fairs.
Why this date
Hanuman Jayanti is the full moon of Chet, on the day the full-moon tithi is present at sunrise.
Hanuman Jayanti in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Saturday | |
| 2026 | Thursday | |
| 2027 | Tuesday | |
| 2028 | Sunday | |
| 2029 | Saturday | |
| 2030 | Thursday |
More Punjabi festivals
26 MarchRam Naumiਰਾਮ ਨੌਮੀ
14 AprilVaisakhiਵਿਸਾਖੀ
19 MarchChet Navratriਚੇਤ ਦੇ ਨਰਾਤੇ
19 AprilAkshaya Tritiyaਅਕਸ਼ੈ ਤ੍ਰਿਤੀਆ
4 MarchHoli and Hola Mohallaਹੋਲੀ · ਹੋਲਾ ਮਹੱਲਾ
25 JulyDevshayani Ekadashiਦੇਵਸ਼ਯਨੀ ਇਕਾਦਸ਼ੀ
Where to see Hanuman Jayanti
In Punjab
- Bara Hanuman Mandir, AmritsarPunjabIn the Durgiana complex, home of the Langoor Mela.
- PhillaurPunjabAn old fort town on the Sutlej with a well-known Hanuman shrine.
- ChandigarhChandigarhThe city's sector temples hold day-long recitations.
Across India
- Jakhu Temple, ShimlaHimachal PradeshOn the hilltop above the town, beside a 108-foot statue.
- Hanuman Garhi, AyodhyaUttar PradeshThe fortress temple of Rama's city.
- SalasarRajasthanThe great fair of Salasar Balaji on this full moon.