When Angira, great saint went to visit king Indra, he was welcomed through the dance presented by a lady named Punjiksthala. Saint was not used to this type of dance and he started meditating to his almighty. After the dance show, king Indra asked him about the dance performance, Saint replied he was not interested in the dance show so he meditated to his Almighty. Indra and lady both were ashamed. Lady cursed the saint that he will go to earth from heaven and rebirth as female monkey. Lady felt sorry and regretted and blessed the saint that a great devotee of Paramatma will be born to you and he will serve Paramatma forever. Saint became Kunjar’s daughter and married Kapiraj Kesari. She gave birth to the Hanuman. The whole Vanara community was happy and celebrated his birthday. From then Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated.
Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated on different days in different regions. It is celebrated on the full moon day of Chaitra month in Hindu calendar. Tamil Nadu Kerala celebrates this festival in Margazhi month of Hindu calendar. Odisha celebrates the festival on first day of Baisakha. In Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh it is celebrated in Vaishaka month. Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated throughout India for his deep devotion to Lord Rama.
On Hanuman Jayanthi people go to Hanuman temple after taking holy bath. It is celebrated in cultural and traditional way. Hanuman Chalisa is read by the devotees, as it can conquer the evil spirits and provide peace to the mind. The devotees apply a tilaka of sindur from the Hanuman idol on their foreheads. Hanuman was born at sunrise; hence the spiritual discourses in Hanuman temples start at sunrise on this day. Lord Hanuman was born with reddish orange color body, and hence all the Hanuman temples are having reddish orange colored.