My daughter, Karnika loves celebrating Sri Hanuman Jayanti at our Ashram in New York and always anxiously waits for the event. She loves birthday celebrations, and she especially loves birthday cakes personally made by Guru Maa using Paneer – besides, it is her Guru Maa’s birthday too!
But was Baba born on a definite day? Various parts of India celebrate His birthday on different dates throughout the year? Why? Her Holiness Guru Maa explained this to us. Human beings have definite dates of births and deaths. Jayantis are celebrated of famous people who have done great service to society. But, Sri Hanumanji does not have a fixed day of birth or death. Guru Maa has researched all the Puranas, and not a single date for His birth could be pinpointed. If He was not born, why do we celebrate His Jayanti? And why do we celebrate on Chaitra’s Purnima day? Guru Maa was born in a Rajasthani family where Sri Hanuman Jayanti was celebrated on Chaitra’s Purnima. With Baba’s blessings, Guru Maa was also born on that day as per the lunar calendar. Since She has dedicated Her life to the devotion and bhakti of Lord Sri Hanuman, She began the tradition of celebrating His birthday on Chaitra’s Purnima.. But, why celebrate His birthday since He was neither born nor did He die? Well, for the satisfaction of ourselves. We human beings want to wish the best for our near and dear ones. We celebrate the birthdays of all our friends and family members, why not that of Baba. Guru Maa established the tradition of Sri Hanuman Jayanti at our Ashram because of this ‘umang’ and with a hope that Sri Hanumanji inspires us every moment in our lives.
Guru Maa arrived from India a few days before the celebrations. Despite the long journey and weak health, Guru Maa was up early preparing for the big day. Doctorsaheb (Bhangdia) soon arrived and changed Sindoori Baba’s chola. I reached thereafter, and we changed Baba’s Pichwai and completed the Sringar. The new Pichwai and dresses for Baba arrived just in time from Vrindaban for the ceremonies. The temple was spick and span clean, with the walls newly painted. The coconuts were ready for next day’s Hawan. The fresh roses garland was also ready, with Smita Sehgal bringing the fresh roses from the Flower Market. Annapurna had already prepared several Mithais. Several more were brought by Guru Maa from India. The cake was delayed but finally turned out really delicious.
On 12th April, despite being a week-day, scores of devotees began arriving for the 108 Hanuman Chalisa Path. At midnight, Guru Maa and the Pandits started with the ‘sankalp’, and the assembled devotees soon gathered momentum to complete the path by 4 am. Soon after that, Shringar was completed and the Mandir re-opened for the puja and birth ceremony. After the puja and aarti, Hanumanji’s birth was celebrated and everyone lovingly sang birthday songs and rocked the jhoola like a mother would for her newborn. We also sang Happy Birthday to Guru Maa. After the birth ceremony, prasad was distributed. Many stayed back for the Hawan. After the Hawan, the fast was broken by Guru Maa and Her disciples. The celebrations continued with MahaPrasad on April 15th. This years MahaPrasad was sponsored by Mukesh Malkan and Sushil Khanna families. Delicious mahabhog was served to hundreds of devotees who came to reaffirm their Faith in Baba. The pichwai was auctioned, and this year’s lucky winner was Jayshree Dave. Baba’s dresses were also auctioned to the first 11 devotees who came forward. We actually continued the celebrations to April 22nd since that was Guru Maa’s birthday according to the English calendar. Children decorated the hall with balloons and flowers and surprised Guru Maa pleasantly. The most auspicious celebration soon came to an end, but the Bhakti and Faith will continue throughout the year.
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