Hanuman Jayanti is a Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Lord Hanuman. It falls on 15th day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra. This year, Hanuman Jayanti falls on April 31 during Chaitra Purnima. According to the Hindu scriptures, Lord Hanuman was born at the break of dawn and hence special prayers are held during that period.

Hanuman, an ardent devotee of Lord Rama and Sita is also known as Anjaneya. Devotees flock temple at early hours in the morning to offer prayers to Lord Hanuman. Special food is prepared in temples which are distributed among devotees.

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana devotees observe 41 days of Deeksha ahead of Hanuman Jayanti on Chaitra Purnima which ends on the tenth day of Krishna Paksha in Vaishakha month. In Tamil Nadu, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated during Margashirsha Amavasya, while in Karnataka, the day is observed on Shukla Paksha Trayodashi during Margashirsha month. In Southern states, Hanuman Jayanti is also known Hanuman Vratam.

Hanuman Jayanti Puja Time

Purnima Tithi Begins = 22:05 on March 30, 2018

Purnima Tithi Ends = 20:36 on March 31, 2018

Being considered as a symbol of strength, people pray to Lord Hanuman for protection. As per Hindu mythology, it was predicted Hanuman would be a devotee of Ram even before his birth. After Sita's abduction, it was Hanuman's devotion to Lord Ram that helped him defeat Ravana.

Devotees are also given sindoor which they apply on their foreheads. In Hyderabad, Hanuman Jayanti rallies will be held in which idols of Lord Hanuman, Rama and Sita will be carried on a rath and pulled by devotees.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 29, 2018 05:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).