Hanuman Jayanti is kept on the full moon of Chaitra. Hanuman is worshipped across Odisha as Mahavira, and his images stand at the gates of villages and on the walls of Puri. Many in Odisha also keep his birthday a few days later on Pana Sankranti, the Odia new year, so that the two observances are often spoken of together.
The story
At Puri there are several Hanumans with stories of their own. Bedi Hanuman, "Hanuman in chains", stands by the shore: set there to keep the sea from entering the town, he slipped away to Ayodhya, the sea came in, and Jagannath had him bound to his post.
Another guards the southern gate of the temple, and is said to be the reason the roar of the surf cannot be heard once one steps inside.
How it is kept
- SinduraThe image is freshly covered in vermilion and oil.
- Hanuman ChalisaRecited through the day, with the Sundara Kanda.
- OfferingsBananas, coconut, gram and jaggery.
- AkhadaDisplays of wrestling and club-swinging in his honour.
Why this date
Hanuman Jayanti is given here on Chaitra Purnima, on the day the full-moon tithi is present at sunrise. Many Odia households observe it on Pana Sankranti instead.
Hanuman Jayanti in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday | |
| 2027 | Tuesday | |
| 2028 | Sunday | |
| 2029 | Saturday | |
| 2030 | Thursday | |
| 2031 | Monday |
More Odia festivals
15 AprilRama Navamiରାମ ନବମୀ
14 AprilPana Sankrantiପଣା ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି
8 MayAkshaya Tritiyaଅକ୍ଷୟ ତୃତୀୟା
15 JuneRajaରଜ
22 MarchDola Purnimaଦୋଳ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା
5 JulyRatha Jatraରଥଯାତ୍ରା
Where to see Hanuman Jayanti
In Odisha
- Bedi Hanuman Temple, PuriOdishaThe chained Hanuman by the sea.
- Siruli MahavirOdishaA much-visited Hanuman shrine near Puri.
- Hanuman Vatika, RourkelaOdishaA garden with one of the tallest Hanuman statues in the state.
Across India
- Hanuman Garhi, AyodhyaUttar PradeshThe fortress temple of Rama's city.
- HampiKarnatakaAnjanadri, held to be his birthplace.
- VaranasiUttar PradeshThe Sankat Mochan temple founded by Tulsidas.