The worship of Shri Hanuman is special in many ways. While the offering of flowers and fruits are dear to him, it is a well-known fact that he is worshipped through applying sindoor paste to him and offering a garland of betel leaves. While Hanuman adorned the sindoor for the prosperity and welfare of Shri Ram, He adorns the garland of betel leaves as Mata Sita had given it out of affection on a son. Both Shri Ram and Mata Sita loved Hanuman very dearly and always expressed their happiness and affection to him. Hanuman too made his life fulfilled his purpose of incarnation by always adorning their tokens of affection with devotion.
After Shri Ram achieved victory in the battle of Lanka, he first sends Hanuman as a messenger to Mata Sita to give her the message that Ravan was killed and Mata Sita was no longer captive and asks Maharaj Vibhishan to make preparations for Mata Sita to be escorted back to him with royal and due honours.
Eager to give the good news to Mata Sita, Hanuman rushes to the Ashok Vatika where Mata Sita was waiting for her grief days to end. When she hears the news of Hanuman’s arrival, she feels elated and wishes to welcome him with warmth and affection. She searches for flowers in the garden, but finds none. However, she finds a betel plant and immediately plucks all the leaves of the plant and makes a garland out of them. When Hanuman comes and gives her the good news, her heart fills with joy and she gives him the garland she made with great happiness.
Hanuman is overwhelmed by the gesture of Mata Sita and thanks her profusely for her affection towards him. The Betel leaf is considered very auspicious and is given as a mark of respect towards the other. It is for this very reason that the Betel leaves are offered as a mark of welcome and respect towards god, elders or youngsters during festivities and other pious occasions. Worshipping Hanuman on Saturday with betel leaves is considered very auspicious as Saturday is a day which is special for the worship of Shani Dev and since Shani Dev is always favourable to Hanuman and his devotees, it is a belief that worshipping Hanuman on a Saturday with betel leaves will present health, happiness success and prosperity.