Team GNI
Millions Honor Lord Hanuman in Temples and Processions on Sacred Festival
NEW DELHI — Temples adorned with marigold garlands and vibrant processions filled the streets as millions across India celebrated Hanuman Jayanti on April 12, 2025, marking the birth of Lord Hanuman, the revered monkey god and devoted follower of Lord Rama. From bustling cities to quiet villages, the festival radiated spiritual fervor, uniting devotees in prayer, charity, and reflection on Hanuman’s timeless virtues of strength, loyalty, and humility.
Hanuman Jayanti, observed on the full moon day of Chaitra, saw major temples like the Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya and the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai draw thousands of worshippers. In Delhi, the 108-foot Hanuman statue at the Sankat Mochan Dham temple became a focal point, with devotees queuing from dawn to offer laddoos and sindoor. “Hanuman Ji teaches us to face challenges with courage,” said Priya Sharma, a 34-year-old teacher from Lucknow, as she lit a diya at her local temple. “This day renews my faith.”
The festival’s scale underscored its cultural significance. Over 5 million devotees visited major Hanuman shrines nationwide, according to preliminary estimates from the Ministry of Culture, a 10% rise from last year. In Mumbai, a grand procession featuring tableaux of scenes from the Ramayana wound through Dadar, accompanied by bhajans and drumbeats. Charitable acts also marked the day, with organizations distributing food and clothing to the underprivileged in Hanuman’s name. “Service is devotion,” said Anil Gupta, a volunteer at a Delhi-based NGO that fed 2,000 people during the festivities.
Digital platforms amplified the celebrations. Social media buzzed with #HanumanJayanti2025, as users shared images of decorated altars and verses from the Hanuman Chalisa, which devotees chanted 108 times in many gatherings. Live streams of aartis from temples in Varanasi and Ujjain reached over 3 million viewers, reflecting the festival’s growing online presence. “Technology is bringing us closer to our traditions,” noted Dr. Kiran Desai, a cultural historian at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Regional variations enriched the observance. In Karnataka, the festival coincided with special performances of Yakshagana depicting Hanuman’s feats, while in Andhra Pradesh, devotees offered jaggery and bananas at roadside shrines. In Ayodhya, a city steeped in Ramayana lore, the day culminated in a dramatic reenactment of Hanuman’s leap across the ocean to Lanka, drawing cheers from thousands.
Despite the joy, some challenges surfaced. Overcrowding at major temples led to minor delays, prompting calls for better crowd management next year. Still, the spirit of unity prevailed. “Hanuman Ji’s story inspires us to rise above obstacles,” said Pandit Ramesh Shastri, a priest at Hanuman Garhi. As the sun set, the glow of lamps and the echo of chants affirmed Hanuman Jayanti’s enduring place in India’s spiritual tapestry, a celebration of devotion that bridges generations and geographies.
Source: Ministry of Culture Preliminary Report 2025, Interview with Pandit Ramesh Shastri, ANI News, The Hindu Culture Desk
