Trinidad Hindus Celebrate Lord Hanuman's Birthday

April 3, 2007

Author: Paras Ramoutar

Source: Hinduism Today

http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2007/4/6.shtml#1

TRINIDAD, April 3, 2007: Chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa, blowing of conch shells, repetition of special mantras, singing of bhajans and the spiritual invocation of Lord Hanuman heralded the celebration of Lord Hanuman Jayanti (birthday) on Monday at mandirs and special places of worship across Trinidad. Hindus here joined their counterparts throughout the diaspora in the observance of this day. Lord Hanuman, the Monkey God, is fully described in the Hindu text, the Ramayana, and in the Hanuman Chalisa. At the Caparo Shiva Kailash Mandir, Pundit Seereeram Maharaj, spiritual leader, enumerated Lord Hanuman's personification of brahmacharya or celibacy. "Lord Hanuman personifies courage, self-control, power, intelligence, selfless service and humility which all mankind can access to create a new spiritual order for us and for succeeding generations," he told over 200 devotees. Pundit Maharaj added that Lord Hanuman's life demonstrated one's capacity to endure pain, suffering, humiliation and distress, even at the danger of losing one's life. Hindus believe that this day is one of total spiritual self-fulfillment. Lord Hanuman is one of the most sought-after in the Hindu pantheon of Gods and Goddesses because He is readily accessible and able to defend dharma and assist all devotees in crisis, trouble, worries and challenges, when beseeched with deep faith and ardent supplication.