Both the full moon of the month of Chaitra and Hanuman Jayanti occur during an auspicious time of year, and therefore, these two significant holy events can be very beneficial for one’s growth, creating good karma or doing good deeds, devotion, and cleansing oneself spiritually. Participants in these two events can create a peaceful, strong, and supported life by being sincerely dedicated and disciplined while doing both of these holy occurrences in a pure and good way.
Thursday morning, April 2nd: Hanuman Jayanti
The celebration of the divine birth of Lord Hanuman, the living example of devotion, strength, and courage. Celebration of the Hanuman Jayanti event can begin in the very early morning by taking a ritual bath and putting on new and clean clothes (the color red or orange, which represents energy and devotion is preferable). Additionally, devotees will cleanse their homes of all dirt and lose articles (all cleared of dust and ready to worship), as they will set up a small altar in their home with the idol or image of Hanuman.
The offerings typically consist of sindoor (vermilion), jasmine oil, red flowers, bananas, jaggery, ladoos, and specially made boondi laddoos or besan laddoos, which are believed to be Lord Hanuman’s preferred offerings. Visiting Hanuman temples on this holy day is a very auspicious event for all devotees, and devotees offer to participate in a variety of bhajans, kirtans, and recitational texts of sacred scriptures (i.e., Hanuman Chalisa or Sundar Kand from the Ramayana) to honor and worship Lord Hanuman. Another common observance of Lord Hanuman by devotees is to fast (vrat) on the holy day and to eat only fruit, milk, or simple satvik food after sunset.
A powerful mantra often chanted on this day is:
“ॐ हं हनुमते नमः”
Chanting this mantra 108 times is believed to remove fear, negative energies, and obstacles while bringing strength and protection.
Do’s:
- Purification of the body and mind should be maintained throughout the entire 24 hours of this day.
- Participate in charitable activities, offering assistance to those less fortunate than you, such as prayers to God/serving others, which are represented by Hanuman’s selfless service.
- Reading/listening to stories about Lord Ram and Hanuman will help deepen your spiritual connection.
- Lighting an oil lamp with jasmin oil and applying red powder (sindoor) to a statue of Hanuman are considered very auspicious acts.
Don’ts:
- Do not consume meat, alcohol, or other tamasic (i.e., heavy or dulling) foods such as onions/garlic.
- Do not get angry, use harsh words, or think negatively during this time since this day calls for discipline and devotion.
- Do not eat until after you pray and perform puja for Lord Vishnu and the Moon (Chandra Dev) during the evening on this day; doing this is highly discouraged because it can lead to breaking your fast inappropriately.
- Avoid any actions or thoughts that stem from your ego; humility must always reign on this sacred day.
Read more: The Path of Ahimsa: Celebrating the Light of Mahavir Jayanti 2026
Chaitra Purnima (April 2)
Chaitra Purnima is the full moon of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which has much spiritual importance. Purity, fulfillment and the fullness of the spiritual practices performed during the month of Chaitra are associated with this day. On this day, devotees will wake up early in the morning and bathe using either a holy river or the water mixed with Ganga jaal — then they will perform their puja for Satyanarayana either at home or at the temple. Many people also fast on this day and break their fast with prayer to the deity, when they pray to Lord Vishnu and Chandra; this usually takes place on the evening.
Meditation, charity work and performing kind deeds are also encouraged on this date by offering food, clothing, or monetary donations to those in need (the poor) or Brahmins (Hindu priests) being believed to increase prosperity and remove past sins. In the evening, many offerings of water (arghya) are made during Chandra Puja (Moon Worship) to seek peace, balance and prosperity in life. Many also listen or recite the Satyanarayan Katha (story of Lord Vishnu) that highlights the values of following truth, becoming devoted to your path and living righteously.
A commonly recited mantra for this day is:
“ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय”
Chanting this mantra (saying the words out loud) is said to promote inner peace, spiritual growth and blessings from God.
Do’s:
- Establish a regular routine with fasting, praying and meditating.
- Keep your environment clean and maintain a positive mindset
- Be generous and charitable
- Take time for spiritual reading or listening to holy stories
- Maintain silence or limit your talking.
Don’ts:
- Do not indulge in materialism or do anything that would distract from the day’s spiritual focus
- Avoid eating meat or heavy foods while on a fast
- Try not to feel any negative emotions such as envy, desire or anger
- Do not disrespect your elders, priests or the sanctity of any ritual.
A versatile writer mainly works on trending news, daily updates from politics, business, crime, current affairs and entertainment.
