THE large group of New York-based Guyanese Hindus observed the appearance of Lord Hanuman by thronging to dozens of mandirs and offering special prayers last Friday.
Hanuman is the “hairy, monkey-like warrior” who is presented in the holy Ramayana as the most devoted and loyal servant of Lord Rama, whose appearance in the world was celebrated a week earlier.

Dozens of mandirs in the New York metro area were all packed with devotees on Friday evening as they paid obeisance to Hanuman-ji.
Hanuman Jayanti, as the auspicious day is called, is usually observed on the full moon in the month of Chaitmas in the Hindu calendar. And according to many pandits, Hanuman is called by many names: Marutie, Pawan Putra, Bhajranbali, Mahavir Swami, Anjanee Putra, and Kesharie Nandan.

Hanuman is one of the most revered deities among Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean Hindus. And they frequently hold kathas, or religious discourses, on the revered Hanuman Chalisa — the scripture dedicated to the Lord, or the Ramayana, in worshipping Hanuman.

The message behind the Hanuman Chalisa is that of a devotee’s glorification of God.

Guyanese Hindus usually perform poojas for Hanuman on Tuesdays and Saturdays. But Hanuman Jayanti can be any day, and Hanuman can be propitiated on that day as well. Worshippers usually make offerings of red flowers and red malas, fruits, bail leaves, other paraphernalia, and prasadam consisting of rote (a sweet, fried roti) and “mohanbhoog”; and perform oblations at the lotus feet of Hanuman. The scriptures say Hanuman loves rote.

After service, Hindus fly a red flag in front of their homes, because red is the symbolic colour of Hanuman. Newly-minted red flags were observed fluttering in the wind in sections of New York.

On Hanuman Jayanti, devotees normally offer jal or dhar at sunrise, and then visit the mandirs for special service in the evening; and offer jal again the following morning.

Some of the temples held Ramayana katha in honour of Hanuman. At all of the mandirs, minds were prostrated at the feet of Lord Hanuman and the various reincarnations of the one supreme Lord. Special mantras, bhajans and praises to Hanuman were read by the priests, and bhajans were sung by the kirtan groups. Joy, bliss and peace pervaded the atmosphere and generated a feeling of togetherness among the worshippers. A stream of devotees made offerings and performed aartee on the murthis.

According to pandits, Hanuman was a great intellectual who knew the holy scriptures, Shastras and Vedas, and was well versed in Sanskrit. And his various actions symbolized the ability to control the mind.

In fact, he was able to control all of the senses, maintain celibacy, and surrender himself completely to the feet of Lord Rama. He had yogi powers; his ability to lift the mountain and fly with it (with ayurvedic medicine to rescue Lutchman who was wounded in battle) symbolizes his strength and meditative powers.

Hanuman was a great devotee of the Lord. His actions, thoughts and words were completely enveloped in Lord Rama. He was Lord Rama’s most trusted warrior, and was also known as the 11th rudra (reincarnation) of Lord Shiva; it is believed that Lord Shiva wanted to serve Lord Rama, and so took the appearance of Hanuman so that he can worship Rama.
The pandits advised worshippers to be humble, good, and kind to others; and to destroy the rawan (jealousy, greed, anger, hatred, lust) within them.