Hanuman Jayanti marks the birth of Hanuman, revered above all for unwavering devotion, strength, and humility. Falling on the Purnima — the full moon — of Chaitra, it arrives just days after Ram Navami, the birth of the very lord Hanuman would go on to serve.
1 Born under a full moon
Hanuman's birth is placed on the Purnima of Chaitra, said to have occurred under particularly auspicious planetary alignments. Tradition reads that as a sign of the divine mission waiting ahead of him — to later stand beside Rama and help defeat Ravana.
Coming so soon after Ram Navami, the two festivals sit as a natural pair on the Chaitra calendar — one birth following close on the other.
2 Strength carried with humility
What the day asks devotees to reflect on isn't only Hanuman's power, but how he carried it. His story is built around selfless service, inner strength, and faith strong enough to overcome any obstacle — yet for all his might, he is remembered chiefly for humility. The lesson drawn from his character is that true devotion has nothing to do with ego; it is strength held in complete surrender.
3 A fast, the Chalisa, and sindoor passed from idol to forehead
A day-long fast
Many devotees fast through the day, sometimes abstaining from water as well as food, to purify body and mind before worship.
Puja at home and temple
Special pujas are conducted both in households and at temples dedicated to Hanuman.
Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa
The forty-verse hymn praising his virtues and exploits is recited with deep devotion — the observance most central to the day.
Applying sindoor
Devotees apply sindoor to Hanuman's idol, then to their own foreheads, in an act of shared devotion.
Why sindoor
The tradition traces to a legend: Hanuman once noticed Sita applying sindoor daily and asked why. On learning it was for Rama's long life, he smeared his entire body in sindoor — reasoning that if a little brought Rama long life, covering himself in it would bring even more. It's this excess of devotion, not the colour itself, that the ritual still honours.
Hanuman Jayanti closes out this run of spring festivals in Mukhed — from Gudi Padwa's new year, through Ram Navami, to this final day of fasting, Chalisa recitation, and sindoor at the temple. See the town's festival calendar for what follows through the rest of the year.
4 A birthday marked on different dates across India
Not every state marks it on the same day. Hanuman Jayanti follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar and doesn't fall on a fixed Gregorian date — in most North Indian states it's observed on Chaitra Purnima, the full moon of the Chaitra month, which falls in March or April.
Some southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, observe Hanumath Jayanthi at a different time altogether, often in the Margashirsha month (December–January). In Karnataka it's marked as Hanuman Vrat on the thirteenth day of the waxing moon in Margashirsha, while in Tamil Nadu it falls on the new moon day of the Pausha month.
5 The story of Anjana, Kesari and the Wind God
Hanuman is also called Anjaneya — son of Anjana, an apsara cursed to be born on earth — and Kesari, the Vanara chief, as his father. According to legend, Anjana performed intense penance to please Lord Shiva and received a boon that Shiva himself would be born as her son. Hanuman's birth is held to have come through the blessing of Vayu, the Wind God, which is why he is also called Vayuputra — a name that carries within it the root of his tremendous speed and strength.
6 Frequently asked questions
When is Hanuman Jayanti in 2027?
Hanuman Jayanti falls on 20 April 2027, a Tuesday, the Purnima (full moon) of Chaitra.
What is Hanuman Jayanti and why is it celebrated?
Hanuman Jayanti marks the birth of Hanuman, revered for unwavering devotion, strength, and humility. It falls just days after Ram Navami, the birth of the very lord Hanuman would go on to serve.
Why do devotees apply sindoor on Hanuman Jayanti?
The tradition traces to a legend in which Hanuman, on learning that Sita applied sindoor daily for Rama's long life, smeared his entire body in it. Devotees now apply sindoor to Hanuman's idol and then to their own foreheads.
Is Hanuman Jayanti celebrated in Mukhed?
Yes — Hanuman Jayanti closes out the run of spring festivals in Mukhed, from Gudi Padwa's new year through Ram Navami, to this final day of fasting, Chalisa recitation, and sindoor at the temple.
Why is Hanuman called Vayuputra, and is Hanuman Jayanti observed on the same date across all of India?
Hanuman's birth is held to have come through the blessing of Vayu, the Wind God, which is why he is called Vayuputra — a name tied to his tremendous speed and strength. The date isn't uniform nationwide, though: it's mostly observed on Chaitra Purnima in North India, while southern states such as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka mark it at a different time, in the Margashirsha or Pausha months.