Hanuman Jayanti, which many now prefer to call Hanuman Janmotsav, is kept on the full moon of Chaitra across North India. Hanuman, son of Anjana and Kesari and of the wind god Vayu, was born at sunrise, and temples begin their worship before dawn. The day is given to the Hanuman Chalisa, the Sundar Kand and laddoos.
The story
The Ramayana remembers him as the one who leapt the sea to find Sita, burned Lanka with his own tail, and carried back a whole mountain when he could not tell which herb would revive Lakshman. Asked what he wanted in return, he asked only to stay wherever Rama's story was being told.
He is counted among the Chiranjivi, the immortals, and so the north speaks of his birthday as a festival of someone living. Tulsidas is said to have composed the forty verses of the Hanuman Chalisa in his praise.
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर । जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर ॥
Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue; victory to the lord of monkeys who lights the three worlds
The opening of the Hanuman Chalisa
How it is kept
- Sindoor and cholaThe image is anointed with sindoor mixed in jasmine oil and dressed in a new chola.
- Hanuman ChalisaRecited through the day, with the Sundar Kand and the Bajrang Baan.
- PrasadBoondi and besan laddoos, gram and jaggery, and bananas.
- BhandaraCommunity meals are served outside temples to everyone who comes.
Why this date
In North India Hanuman Jayanti is Chaitra Purnima, kept on the day the full-moon tithi is present at sunrise, the hour of his birth. Other regions keep other dates.
Hanuman Jayanti in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday | |
| 2027 | Tuesday | |
| 2028 | Sunday | |
| 2029 | Saturday | |
| 2030 | Thursday | |
| 2031 | Monday |
More North Indian festivals
15 AprilRam Navamiराम नवमी
7 AprilChaitra Navratriचैत्र नवरात्रि
8 MayAkshaya Tritiyaअक्षय तृतीया
14 JulyDevshayani Ekadashiदेवशयनी एकादशी
23 MarchHoliहोली
18 JulyGuru Purnimaगुरु पूर्णिमा
Where to see Hanuman Jayanti
In North India
- Hanuman Garhi, AyodhyaUttar PradeshThe hilltop fortress temple that pilgrims visit before any other in the city.
- Sankat Mochan, VaranasiUttar PradeshFounded by Tulsidas; the birthday is followed by a famous festival of classical music.
- Salasar BalajiRajasthanA Hanuman with beard and moustache; the fair on this full moon is the temple's largest.
- Mehandipur BalajiRajasthanA shrine between Jaipur and Agra known for the relief of afflictions.
Across India
- Jakhu Temple, ShimlaHimachal PradeshOn the highest point of Shimla, beside a 108-foot statue.
- Anjanadri, HampiKarnatakaThe hill in old Kishkindha held to be his birthplace.
- Namakkal AnjaneyarTamil NaduAn eighteen-foot Hanuman standing under the open sky; Tamil Nadu keeps his birthday in December.