Hanuman Jayanti : Date, Muhurat, Katha, Mantra, Aarti & Celebration Guide

Hanuman Jayanti, also known as Hanuman Janmotsav, is one of the most spiritually significant Indian festivals, celebrating the birth of Lord Hanuman — the divine vanara deity revered as the ultimate symbol of devotion, strength, and selfless service. Observed by millions of Hindus across India and around the world, this festival honours Hanuman’s extraordinary role in the Ramayana as Lord Rama’s most faithful devotee and companion.

Unlike many Hindu festivals centred on feasting and gifting, Hanuman Jayanti is deeply devotional in character — marked by temple visits, recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, fasting, and prayers for protection and courage. The festival’s dates and regional traditions vary beautifully across India, making it one of the country’s most diverse religious observances.

Regional Hanuman Jayanti Dates in 2026

Different states follow different calendar traditions for Hanuman’s birth, resulting in multiple regional observance dates:

Region	2026 Date	Tradition
Most of India (North, West, Maharashtra)	April 2, 2026	Chaitra Purnima
Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (41-day observance begins)	April 2 – May 12, 2026	Concludes on Vaishakha Krishna Dashami
Telugu Calendar (main Jayanthi day)	May 22, 2026	Vaishakha Bahula Dashami
Odisha	April 13/14, 2026	Pana Sankranti (Odia New Year)
Karnataka	December 3, 2026	Margashirsha Shukla Trayodashi
Tamil Nadu & Kerala	December 19, 2026	Margali (Dhanu) month, Amavasya

while maintaining the four-day lunar calendar sequence.

---

Hanuman Chalisa

In Hindi

दोहा: श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि। बरनऊं रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि।। बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार। बल बुद्धि बिद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेस बिकार।।

चौपाई: जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुं लोक उजागर।। रामदूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा।। महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी।। कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा। कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा।। हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै। कांधे मूंज जनेऊ साजै।। संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन। तेज प्रताप महा जग बन्दन।। विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर।। प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया।। सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा।। भीम रूप धरि असुर संहारे। रामचंद्र के काज संवारे।। लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये।। रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई। तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई।। सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं। अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं।। सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा। नारद सारद सहित अहीसा।। जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहां ते। कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहां ते।। तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा।। तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना। लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना।। जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू। लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू।। प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लांघि गये अचरज नाहीं।। दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते।। राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे।। सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रक्षक काहू को डर ना।। आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हांक तें कांपै।। भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै।। नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा।। संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै।। सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा।। और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै। सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै।। चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा।। साधु-संत के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे।। अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता। अस बर दीन जानकी माता।। राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा।। तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम-जनम के दुख बिसरावै।। अन्तकाल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहां जन्म हरि-भक्त कहाई।। और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई।। संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा।। जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाईं। कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं।। जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई। छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई।। जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा। होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा।। तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ हृदय मंह डेरा।।

दोहा: पवन तनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप। राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप।।

In Hinglish

Doha: Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj, Nij Manu Mukuru Sudhari. Barnaun Raghubar Bimal Jasu, Jo Daayaku Phal Chaari. Buddhiheen Tanu Jaanike, Sumiron Pavan-Kumar. Bal Buddhi Vidyaa Dehu Mohi, Harahu Kalesh Vikaar.

Chaupai: Jai Hanuman Gyaan Gun Saagar. Jai Kapees Tihun Lok Ujaagar. Raamdoot Atulit Bal Dhaama. Anjani-Putra Pavan Sut Naama. Mahaveer Bikram Bajrangi. Kumati Nivaar Sumati Ke Sangi. Kanchan Baran Biraaj Subesa. Kaanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa. Haath Bajra Au Dhwaja Viraaje. Kaandhe Moonj Janeu Saaje. Shankar Suvan Kesarinandan. Tej Pratap Maha Jag Bandan. Vidyaavaan Guni Ati Chaatur. Raam Kaaj Karibe Ko Aatur. Prabhu Charitra Sunibe Ko Rasiya. Raam Lakhan Sita Man Basiya. Sookshma Roop Dhari Siyahi Dikhaava. Bikat Roop Dhari Lanka Jaraava. Bheem Roop Dhari Asur Sanhaare. Raamchandra Ke Kaaj Sanvaare. Laay Saajeewan Lakhan Jiyaaye. Shri Raghuveer Harshi Ur Laaye. Raghupati Keenhi Bahut Badaayi. Tum Mam Priya Bharatahi Sam Bhaai. Sahas Badan Tumharo Jas Gaavain. As Kahi Shripati Kanth Lagaavain. Sanakadik Brahmaadi Muneesa. Narad Sarad Sahit Aheesa. Jam Kubera Digpaal Jahaan Te. Kavi Kobid Kahi Sake Kahaan Te. Tum Upkaar Sugreevahin Keenha. Raam Milaay Raaj Pad Deenha. Tumharo Mantra Vibheeshan Maana. Lankeshwar Bhaye Sab Jag Jaana. Jug Sahastra Jojan Par Bhaanu. Liilyo Taahi Madhur Phal Jaanu. Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukh Maaheen. Jaladhi Laanghi Gaye Acharaj Naaheen. Durgam Kaaj Jagat Ke Jete. Sugam Anugraha Tumhare Tete. Raam Duaare Tum Rakhwaare. Hot Na Aagya Binu Paisaare. Sab Sukh Lahai Tumhaari Sarna. Tum Rakshak Kaahu Ko Dar Na. Aapan Tej Samharo Aapai. Teeno Lok Haank Ten Kaanpai. Bhoot Pisaach Nikat Nahi Aavai. Mahaveer Jab Naam Sunaavai. Nasai Rog Harai Sab Peera. Japat Nirantar Hanumat Beera. Sankat Ten Hanuman Chhudaavai. Man Karm Bachan Dhyaan Jo Laavai. Sab Par Raam Tapasvi Raja. Tin Ke Kaaj Sakal Tum Saaja. Aur Manorath Jo Koi Laavai. Soi Amit Jivan Phal Paavai. Chaaron Jug Partaap Tumhaara. Hai Parsiddh Jagat Ujiyaara. Saadhu Sant Ke Tum Rakhwaare. Asur Nikandan Raam Dulaare. Asht Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Data. As Bar Deen Janaki Mata. Raam Rasayan Tumhare Paasa. Sada Raho Raghupati Ke Daasa. Tumhare Bhajan Raam Ko Paavai. Janam Janam Ke Dukh Bisraavai. Antakaal Raghubar Pur Jaayi. Jahaan Janam Hari Bhakt Kahaayi. Aur Devata Chitt Na Dharai. Hanumat Sei Sarb Sukh Karai. Sankat Katai Mitai Sab Peera. Jo Sumirai Hanumat Balbeera. Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosaain. Kripa Karahu Gurudev Ki Naayin. Jo Sat Baar Paath Kar Koi. Chhootahi Bandi Maha Sukh Hoi. Jo Yeh Padhai Hanuman Chalisa. Hoy Siddhi Saakhi Gaureesa. Tulasidas Sada Hari Chera. Keejai Naath Hriday Mah Dera.

Doha: Pavan Tanay Sankat Haran, Mangal Moorti Roop. Raam Lakhan Sita Sahit, Hriday Basahu Sur Bhoop.

---

---

Participation Across Religions in India

While Hanuman Jayanti is fundamentally a Hindu festival, India’s syncretic culture means participation often extends beyond Hindu communities. In villages and towns where Hanuman temples serve as community gathering points, people of various backgrounds join prasadam distributions and processions out of neighbourhood solidarity and cultural tradition.

In some parts of rural Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, Hanuman is regarded as a village protector deity whose festival belongs to the whole community. The festival promotes social harmony and shared celebration across different communities — reflecting India’s pluralistic spirit.

Hanuman Jayanti Gifting Traditions

Hanuman Jayanti is not primarily a gift-giving festival, but meaningful gestures of devotion and generosity are central to the day’s spirit.

Prasadam — especially boondi ladoo and churma ladoo from temples — is the most traditional gift to share with family and neighbours. Gifting a Hanuman Chalisa booklet, a small Hanuman murti, or a sindoor dabbi (vermillion box) to devotees is considered auspicious. Donating new vastra (cloth) to dress the temple murti is a revered act of devotion at smaller village temples.

Donating to temples and sponsoring annadanam (free meal service) is considered the highest form of Hanuman Jayanti giving — in keeping with Hanuman’s own spirit of selfless service.

In diaspora families, gifting children illustrated Ramayana books or a Hanuman Chalisa with translation is an increasingly popular way to pass on cultural heritage. Sending digital Hanuman Jayanti greetings via WhatsApp, Instagram, and community apps is now universal.

---

---

Hanuman Jayanti : Music, Art, and Cultural Expression

Devotional music and art are central to Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.

The Hanuman Chalisa, composed by the 16th-century saint Tulsidas, is the defining text of the day — set to classical and folk ragas and sung in styles ranging from meditative to upbeat. Bhajans like Jai Jai Jai Bajrang Bali fill temple courtyards. Renditions by artists like Hari Om Sharan and Shankar Mahadevan are widely played.

In Maharashtra, Karnataka, and South India, kirtans and Harikatha performances — devotional narrative storytelling through music — draw large community audiences on Jayanti night. Ramayana episodes featuring Hanuman are narrated with song and devotional commentary.

Temple murtis are elaborately decorated with orange and red fabrics, marigold and hibiscus garlands, and sindoor mixed in oil. Rangoli and kolam designs featuring Hanuman’s image adorn temple entrances. In many communities, Jayanti week includes Ram Lila performances — theatrical enactments of the Ramayana — with Hanuman as a featured character.