Spiritual and religiousSouth AsiaHindu
Hanuman Jayanti
In its own language: हनुमानजयंती
A Hindu festival marking the birth of Hanuman with prayers, readings and offerings
Hanuman Jayanti is an annual Hindu festival celebrating the birth of the deity Hanuman across India. Devotees gather at temples, chant the Hanuman Chalisa, listen to verses from the Ramayana, and make offerings to seek courage and protection.
When is Hanuman Jayanti in 2027?
Hanuman Jayanti 2027 is on Thursday, 22 April 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2028, Sunday, 9 April 2028.
Hanuman Jayanti is a Hindu religious festival commemorating the birth of the deity Hanuman. Celebrated across India, the day honours his legendary devotion to Rama, his strength, and his protective power. Worshippers gather at temples to pray, make charitable gifts, listen to recitations of sacred poetry, and ask for fearlessness, blessings, and spiritual courage in daily life.
Stories of birth
Ancient texts recount different accounts of Hanuman's origins. He was born to the vanara leader Kesari and Anjana, an apsara freed from an earthly curse through his delivery, and is honoured as the son of the wind god Vayu. One account in Eknath's Bhavartha Ramayana describes how a sacred pudding prepared for King Dasharatha of Ayodhya was carried by a bird and the wind into Anjana's hands while she prayed to Shiva. Another tradition links his early life to Kishkindha near Hampi, where boons from the gods were bestowed upon him after he leaped toward the sun.
Observances and rituals
On this holy day, devotees attend temples to worship, listen to sermons, and present sacred food offerings known as prasadam. Many recite hymns such as the Hanuman Chalisa or passages from the Ramayana, including the Sundara Kanda. Worshippers also mark their foreheads with orange vermillion powder taken from Hanuman's image. This custom recalls a story where Sita wore vermillion to ensure a long life for Rama, inspiring Hanuman to cover his entire body with the powder to secure his master's immortality.
Regional calendar traditions
The timing of the observance varies considerably by region. In most northern areas and Maharashtra, it falls on the full moon of the month of Chaitra, with dawn discourses marking the moment of his sunrise birth. In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, festivities extend across a forty-one-day period ending in the month of Vaishakha. Further south, Tamil Nadu and Kerala mark the occasion during the new moon of Dhanu, while in Odisha, the event coincides with the Odia New Year on Pana Sankranti.
How Hanuman Jayanti is kept
People visit temples dedicated to Hanuman early in the day, often gathering at dawn for spiritual discourses. They present offerings to the deities, receive prasadam, and give to charity. Worshippers chant verses from the Hanuman Chalisa and listen to readings of the Ramayana throughout the day. Many touch vermillion from the sacred images and apply it to their own foreheads as a sign of reverence and devotion.
When and where
The festival date depends on regional lunar and solar calendars. Many northern states observe it on Chaitra Purnima, the full moon of Chaitra. In southern and eastern regions, it falls on specific lunar days in Vaishakha, Dhanu, or during the April solar celebration of Pana Sankranti.
The festival is celebrated across India. It is observed widely in northern states, Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, with major events held at prominent regional temples.
What Hanuman Jayanti means
Hanuman represents steadfast devotion, selfless service, and immense physical and spiritual strength. Devotees revere him as a protector capable of overcoming evil forces. Smearing vermillion recalls his loyalty to Rama and Sita, symbolising absolute dedication and the pursuit of courage and resilience.
On the table
- Prasadam
- Payasam
Days Hanuman Jayanti is marked
Hanuman Jayanti dates: 2027, 2028
| Year | Hanuman Jayanti date |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Thursday, 22 April 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday, 9 April 2028 |
This date follows the moon or a local calendar and can move by a day, so check with a local source nearer the time.
Questions people ask about Hanuman Jayanti
When is Hanuman Jayanti in 2027?
Hanuman Jayanti 2027 is on Thursday, 22 April 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2028, Sunday, 9 April 2028.
What is Hanuman Jayanti?
It is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Hanuman, the deity renowned for his strength, courage, and steadfast devotion to Rama in the Ramayana epic.
Why do devotees apply vermillion during worship?
According to tradition, Hanuman covered his body in red vermillion powder after learning that Sita wore it to bless Rama with long life, wishing to grant Rama immortality.
Which sacred texts are read on this day?
Devotees frequently chant the devotional hymn Hanuman Chalisa and read verses from versions of the Ramayana, including the Sundara Kanda, while attending temple discourses.
See also
Krishna JanmashtamiA Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna with fasting, singing and night vigils
DiwaliA five-day festival of lights celebrated across India and its diaspora to mark the victory of light over darkness.
NowruzThe Iranian new year at the March equinox, kept with fire, greenery and picnics
HoliA spring festival of colours and bonfires that marks the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil.Good reading and sources
- Scholars declare Tirumala as the birthplace of HanumanThe Hindu, Article
- Scholars declare Tirumala as the birthplace of HanumanThe Hindu, Article
- Hanuman Jayanti on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Hanuman Jayanti", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.
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