- Chaitra Purnima in North India
- Other dates in the South
- Hanuman Chalisa recitals
- Sindoor and laddoos
Where it began
Legend says Hanuman was born to Anjana and Kesari, blessed by Vayu, the wind god. As a child he leapt into the sky thinking the rising sun was a ripe fruit. The gods later gave him many gifts of strength and long life.
In the Ramayana, Hanuman crosses the ocean to find Sita in Lanka, carries a mountain of healing herbs to save Lakshmana and serves Rama with complete devotion. He is loved as the model of a selfless helper.
Because regions follow different calendars, the birthday is kept on different days: the Chaitra full moon in much of North India, in Margashirsha in Tamil Nadu, and in Vaishakha in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
How it grew over time
Ancient times
The Ramayana tells Hanuman's great deeds, and he is worshipped as a guardian of villages.
1500s
Tulsidas writes the Hanuman Chalisa in Awadhi, and it becomes one of the most recited prayers in India.
1600s
Samarth Ramdas sets up Hanuman temples across Maharashtra, linking his worship with strength and fitness.
Today
Temples hold all-day Chalisa recitals, processions and community meals.
How it is celebrated in different places
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
Crowds visit temples like Sankat Mochan in Varanasi and Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya.
Maharashtra
Akharas, wrestling schools, honour Hanuman as their patron with special prayers.
Tamil Nadu
Hanumath Jayanthi in Margazhi brings garlands of vadai and butter offerings at temples.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Many devotees keep a period of prayer called deeksha that ends on the festival, with processions in saffron.
Hanuman Jayanti today
Devotees bathe early, fast, visit the temple, offer sindoor, flowers and laddoos and read the Hanuman Chalisa or the Sundara Kanda. Many pray for courage and strength for the year ahead.
