Grand Celebration Marks Lord Hanuman's Birth Anniversary in Udaipur*

In a grand celebration of Lord Hanuman's birth anniversary in Udaipur, devotees adorned the colossal statue of the deity with a 551-meter-long cloth turban, known locally as "pagdi," at the Manshapurna Hanuman Temple in Badnor Haveli.

The event, organized by the Manshapurna Mitra Mandal on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, commenced with a vibrant procession carrying the ceremonial kalash (pitcher) in the morning. The procession, featuring images of Lord Rama, Hanuman, and other deities, along with decorated elephants, horses, and camels, captivated the onlookers, including the city's renowned wrestlers showcasing their prowess.

The procession traversed through various prominent locations of the city, culminating at the temple premises, where the ceremonious turban was placed atop the statue of Lord Hanuman. Along the way, devotees showered flowers and paid homage to the revered deity.

Rajesh Toshniwal, President of the Mitra Mandal, highlighted that upon reaching the temple, traditional rituals including chanting of hymns and offering of prayers were performed before adorning Lord Hanuman with the symbolic 551-meter-long turban. The chants of "Jai Bajrang Bali" reverberated throughout the temple complex, resonating the devotion of the gathered devotees.

Sunil Jhanwar, coordinator of the publicity committee, mentioned that the celebrations commenced at 6:00 AM with the grand Rudrabhishek ceremony followed by a ritualistic bathing of the deity with 501 liters of milk. Additionally, at 7:30 AM, the Panchamrit Abhishek (bathing with five sacred liquids) was conducted. The fragrance of the fifty-six bhogs (offerings) infused the entire area with a divine aroma, while devotees enthusiastically chanted Hanuman Chalisa and participated in devotional songs, immersing themselves in the spiritual ambiance.