Hanuman, the devoted servant of Rama, is a figure of strength, humility and service. His birthday is kept with an early morning visit to a temple, readings from the Ramayana and the Ramcharitmanas and recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa. Many people also fast.
Timing
Most of north India keeps the day on the full Moon of Chaitra, at sunrise. Other regions keep it on other days: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana keep it in the month of Vaishakha, and Tamil Nadu and Karnataka keep it in Margashirsha. Because of this, check your own tradition. The Hanuman Jayanti page lists the Chaitra date and timing for 49 cities, and you can open New Delhi, Houston or London. The any-city tool will work for others. We do not give dates here.
Samagri: what to gather
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Picture or idol of Hanuman, often with Rama, Sita and Lakshmana | The focus of worship |
| Sindoor mixed with jasmine (chameli) or sesame oil | Applied to the idol, a particular custom |
| Red flowers and a garland, often marigold or hibiscus | Offered |
| Betel leaves, bananas, laddus, besan sweets, jaggery and chickpeas | Naivedya |
| Tulsi leaves | Offered, as Hanuman is dear to Rama |
| A lamp with ghee, incense, camphor | Worship and aarti |
| A copy of the Hanuman Chalisa or Sundara Kanda | For recitation |
| Water and a small bell | Worship |
Steps in order
- Wake early, bathe and put on clean clothes. Take the sankalp for the day.
- Clean the altar. Light a lamp and invoke Ganesha, then Rama, then Hanuman.
- Apply a little sindoor with oil on the idol, and offer flowers, a garland and tulsi leaves.
- Recite the Hanuman Chalisa, once or eleven times as is your custom, or read a section of the Sundara Kanda.
- Offer the sweets and fruits, and ask for steadiness and strength of mind.
- Do the aarti with the lamp and share the prasad.
- In the evening, many visit the temple, give food to the needy or feed monkeys, which are regarded in tradition as his kin.
The katha
The tradition tells that Hanuman is the son of Anjana and Kesari, and the god of the wind, Vayu, is called his spiritual father. As a baby, on an early morning, he saw the rising Sun and, taking it for a ripe fruit, leapt into the sky to catch it. That same day Rahu was due to swallow the Sun at an eclipse and found the child before him.
Indra, king of the gods, struck the child with his thunderbolt (vajra), and it hit his jaw (hanu), which is the origin of the name Hanuman. The child fell to the earth. In grief, Vayu withdrew the air from the world, and all beings struggled to breathe. The gods came together, revived him and gave boons. Brahma gave him a gift against weapons, Indra the strength of the vajra, and others blessed him with speed, strength and a life of service. The story is told as a sacred narrative, and details vary by region.
Regional variations
Customs differ by region and family; follow your family’s custom. In the north, large crowds visit temples such as the Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, devotees who take a vow of the Hanuman mala end it on Hanuman Jayanti. Some temples have a Tuesday and Saturday emphasis through the year as well.
Fasting and food
Many devotees fast through the day and eat one meal in the evening, avoiding grains or onion and garlic, and some only take fruit. If you are pregnant, diabetic, unwell or on regular medication, please check with a doctor before fasting, and eat as advised. The Chalisa can be recited by anyone, fasting or not.
Frequently asked questions
↳ Why is sindoor offered to Hanuman?
A popular story says Hanuman saw Sita apply sindoor for Rama's long life and covered himself with it so that Rama might live long. It is a devotional custom, found in many temples.
↳ Why do regions keep different dates?
Local traditions tie his birth to different months. In some places it is in Chaitra, in others in Vaishakha or Margashirsha. All are accepted in their regions.
↳ Can women recite the Hanuman Chalisa?
Yes. It is recited by everyone, young and old. Some families have a custom about touching the idol, which differs between temples and homes.
↳ How many times should the Chalisa be recited?
Once is complete. Some recite it seven, eleven or a hundred and eight times, as a personal devotion. There is no fixed number.