Hanuman Jayanti: a day of devotion and service
In north India Hanuman Jayanti is kept on Chaitra Purnima; some regions keep other days, such as the Krishna Chaturdashi before Diwali, or days in Margashirsha and Vaishakha in the south. We did not find its date rule in our library's texts, so it is given here as tradition.
Hanuman's birthday: recitation, temple visits and service.
What Hanuman Jayanti is
The birthday of Hanuman, which many prefer to call ‘Hanuman Janmotsav’. Hanuman is among the most loved figures of the Ramayana: strength, wisdom, humility and unshakeable devotion to Rama. Temples are crowded from dawn, the Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarkand are recited, and many people do acts of service.
How the date is decided
Tradition: we searched Dharmasindhu, Nirnaya Sindhu and Muhurta Chintamani for a date rule for Hanuman Jayanti and did not find one. So the common traditions are given:
| Region | Day |
|---|---|
| North and central India, Maharashtra | Chaitra Purnima |
| Some north/west traditions | Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (amanta Ashvina), the day before Diwali |
| Andhra–Telangana | Vaishakha Krishna Dashami (ending a 41-day observance) |
| Tamil Nadu, Kerala | Margashirsha (Margazhi) Amavasya, Mula nakshatra |
| Karnataka | Margashirsha Shukla Trayodashi (Hanumad vrata) |
Our calendar shows the north Indian day (Chaitra Purnima, the Purnima at sunrise); other regional days will be added after the Vedic team's review. All traditions are kept with respect; none is ‘right’ and the others ‘wrong’.
The story: tradition / Purana story
Tradition holds that Hanuman is the son of Anjani and the vanara king Kesari, born by the blessing of Vayu, the wind; so he is called ‘Pavanaputra’ and ‘Anjaneya’. A famous story says that as a child he leapt at the rising Sun, taking it for a fruit. Grown up, he became Sugriva's minister, met Rama, leapt across the sea to find Sita in Lanka, and carried a whole mountain back with the sanjeevani herb for Lakshmana.
Tulsidas's Hanuman Chalisa sings these qualities. Tradition holds Hanuman to be ever-living, present wherever Rama's story is told.
How families celebrate
Birth celebrations at dawn in temples, as many traditions hold he was born at sunrise. Offering sindoor and jasmine oil (chola) on the image, red flowers, and jaggery with gram or boondi laddus. Neighbourhood processions, wrestling displays at akharas, and group Chalisa recitals (108 times in places). In the south, a 41-day observance, betel leaves and vada garlands.
A simple puja
- Morning bath, clean clothes.
- A picture of Hanuman, with Rama's court if you have it, since tradition says Hanuman delights in Rama's name.
- A lamp, red flowers, and sindoor by your custom.
- Recite the Hanuman Chalisa or Sundarkand; if you don't know them, chant ‘Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram’.
- Jaggery and gram or laddus as offering, then share.
- Help someone during the day: service is the heart of Hanuman's devotion.
Safety
In early-morning temple crowds, mind elders and children and avoid pushing. Chaitra is hot; carry water in processions. Sindoor and oil are for the image only; keep them away from children's eyes and mouths. If you fast, do so as your health allows; for health, the doctor comes first.
In ePandit
In ePandit: our calendar shows the festival day with your city's sunrise and sunset. The day is decided once, for Ujjain; your city's times are shown separately. We don't compute muhurta yet, and we never call a festival good or bad for anyone.
Mind elders and children in temple crowds; carry water in the heat.
Frequently asked questions
Why two dates for Hanuman Jayanti?
Different regions have their own traditions: Chaitra Purnima in north India, the Chaturdashi before Diwali in some places, and other days in the south. All are kept with respect.
Did you find the rule in the texts?
Not in our library (Dharmasindhu, Nirnaya Sindhu, Muhurta Chintamani); so we label it tradition.
What if I don't know the Hanuman Chalisa?
Simply chanting ‘Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram’ or ‘Jai Hanuman’ is complete.
Is a fast required?
No. Some keep one, as health allows.
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Sources: Tradition, Chaitra Purnima (north India); other regional days; the rule not found in our library (Dharmasindhu, Nirnaya Sindhu, Muhurta Chintamani) · Tradition, Hanuman Chalisa, Sundarkand, the Anjani–Vayu story