BhaktiLoopHanuman Puja / Bajrangbali Puja
Hanuman Puja is a Hindu devotional ritual dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the fervent devotee of Lord Rama. He is revered as the epitome of strength, devotion, courage, wisdom, and selfless service. The puja typically involves chanting of mantras, recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, offering specific items beloved by Lord Hanuman, and performing Aarti. It is believed to bring immense blessings, overcome challenges, and instill confidence in devotees.
Purpose
Worship of Lord Hanuman is performed to invoke strength, courage, protection from evil forces, removal of obstacles, good health, success in endeavors, mental peace, and to gain liberation from fear and negativity. It is especially beneficial for those suffering from the malefic effects of Saturn (Shani Dosha) and for seeking devotion and unwavering faith.
Key Rituals
Sankalpa (Pledge/Intention Setting): The devotee takes a vow to perform the puja for a specific purpose.
Ganapati Puja (Optional but Recommended): Invoking Lord Ganesha for obstacle removal.
Deep Prajwalan (Lighting the Lamp): Lighting an oil lamp (diya) to symbolize the presence of divine light.
Avahan (Invocation): Inviting Lord Hanuman to be present in the puja area.
Asana (Offering Seat): Offering a symbolic seat to the deity.
Padya, Arghya, Achamaniya (Water Offerings): Offering water for feet, hands, and sipping.
Snan (Bathing): Bathing the idol/image with Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar) followed by pure water.
Vastra (Offering Clothes/Sacred Thread): Offering new clothes or a sacred thread (Yagnopaveet).
Gandh (Sandalwood Paste): Applying sandalwood paste to the idol.
Sindoor Samarpan (Vermilion Offering): Applying sindoor mixed with jasmine oil, which is very dear to Lord Hanuman.
Pushpa (Flowers): Offering fresh flowers, especially red flowers like hibiscus or marigolds, and Tulsi leaves.
Dhup (Incense): Lighting incense sticks to purify the atmosphere.
Deep (Lamp): Waving a lamp (diya) in front of the deity.
Naivedya (Food Offerings): Offering sweets (especially ladoos like Boondi or Besan Ladoo), jaggery (gud) and roasted gram (chana), bananas, and other fruits.
Tambul (Betel Leaf Offering): Offering a prepared betel leaf (paan).
Mantra Japa: Recitation of Hanuman Mantras.
Hanuman Chalisa Path: Chanting of the 40 verses of Hanuman Chalisa.
Bajrang Baan Path: Recitation of the powerful prayer for protection and overcoming enemies.
Hanuman Ashtak/Sundarkand Path (Optional, for extended puja): Recitation of Hanuman Ashtak or the entire Sundarkand chapter from Ramcharitmanas.
Arti: Waving a lamp in a circular motion while singing devotional songs.
Pradakshina (Circumambulation): Circling the deity or puja area.
Kshama Prarthana (Pardon Prayer): Seeking forgiveness for any mistakes committed during the puja.
Prasad Vitran (Distribution of Offerings): Distributing the consecrated food offerings among devotees.
Common Offerings
Boondi Ladoo or Besan Ladoo
Gud (Jaggery) and Chana (Roasted Gram)
Sindoor (Vermilion)
Chamele (Jasmine) Oil or Mustard Oil
Red flowers (e.g., Hibiscus, Marigold)
Tulsi leaves
Betel leaves (Paan)
Bananas and other fruits
Ghee or oil lamp
Incense sticks
Camphor
Coconut
Flag (Dhwaja) with 'Ram' written on it
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Hum Hanumate Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Lord Hanuman.
Benefits
A powerful and widely used mantra for general protection, strength, courage, and to overcome obstacles and negative influences.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe Vayuputraya Dhimahi Tanno Hanuman Prachodayat
Meaning
We know the son of Anjana, we meditate on the son of the Wind God; may Hanuman inspire and enlighten us.
Benefits
This is the Hanuman Gayatri Mantra. It is chanted for wisdom, spiritual enlightenment, inner strength, and protection from all fears.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Manojavan Marutatulyavegam Jitendriyam Buddhimatam Varishtham. Vatatmajam Vanarauth Mukhyam Shri Ramdutam Sharnam Prapadye.
Meaning
I take refuge in Lord Hanuman, who is swift as the mind, strong as the wind, master of his senses, supremely intelligent, son of the wind-god, and the chief of the monkey army – the messenger of Shri Rama.
Benefits
This mantra is an invocation for surrender and seeking refuge in Lord Hanuman. It is chanted for invoking his immense power, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to overcome life's challenges, attain success, and gain protection.
Auspicious Days
Tuesday (Mangalwar): Considered the most auspicious day for Hanuman Puja, as it is also associated with Mars (Mangal Graha) which Hanuman helps control.
Saturday (Shanivar): Many devotees also observe Hanuman Puja on Saturdays to mitigate the malefic effects of Saturn (Shani Dev), as Hanuman is believed to protect his devotees from Shani's wrath.
Hanuman Jayanti: The birthday of Lord Hanuman, celebrated with great fervor, usually in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March/April).
Saturdays during the Hindu month of Shravan (July/August) in some regions.
Regional Variations
While the core rituals remain similar, regional variations exist: * **North India:** Emphasis on Sundarkand Path, particularly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Offering of 'Paan' (betel leaf) and 'Boondi Ladoo' is very common. Devotees often visit Hanuman temples wearing red or saffron clothes. * **South India:** Lord Hanuman is often revered as 'Anjaneya'. The offerings might include 'Vada Mala' (garland of fried lentil fritters) and 'Betel Leaf Mala'. Temples often have specific 'Abhishekams' (ritual bathing) with various substances. * **Maharashtra:** Strong tradition of reciting Hanuman Chalisa daily. Offering of 'gud-chana' (jaggery and roasted gram) is prominent. * **General:** The choice of oil for lamps (mustard oil in North India, ghee in other regions) and the specific types of sweets offered might vary.
Related Pujas
Ram Puja: As Lord Hanuman is the greatest devotee of Lord Rama, his puja is often performed alongside or in conjunction with Ram Puja.
Shani Puja: Performing Hanuman Puja is often recommended to alleviate the negative influences of Saturn (Shani Dev), as Shani is believed to be afraid of Hanuman.
Sunderkand Paath: The recitation of the Sunderkand chapter from the Ramcharitmanas (which details Hanuman's journey to Lanka) is often done as an elaborate form of Hanuman worship.
Navagraha Puja: Hanuman is sometimes invoked as part of Navagraha (nine planets) puja to mitigate planetary afflictions, especially those of Saturn.