The sunrise birth of Hanuman, the mighty devotee of Rama.
Tuesday, 20 April 2027·Chaitra Shukla Purnima, at sunrise (Brahma Muhurta)·Mumbai, Maharashtra
Pre-dawn worship marking Hanuman's sunrise birth.
Alternative window for the main Hanuman puja.
General auspicious worship and recitation through the day.
Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birth of Hanuman - the immortal devotee of Rama, embodiment of strength, courage and selfless devotion. He is said to have been born at sunrise on the full moon of Chaitra, and so worship begins in the pre-dawn Brahma Muhurta and centres on the sunrise hour. Devotees read the Hanuman Chalisa and Sundara Kanda and offer sindoor and oil.
Hanuman embodies strength, valour, humility and unwavering devotion; worshipping him is believed to grant courage, protection from evil and the removal of troubles (as Sankatmochan). His sunrise birth links him to renewed vigour and the dispelling of darkness.
To honour Hanuman at his birth-hour, to seek his strength and protection, and to deepen devotion through the reading of the Hanuman Chalisa and Sundara Kanda.
Hanuman was born to Anjana, an apsara cursed to earthly form, and Kesari, the vanara chief, at Anjaneri. He is the son of Vayu, the wind-god, whose grace carried him into Anjana's womb, and he is revered as an incarnation (avatar) of Lord Shiva (Rudra). As an infant, mistaking the rising sun for a ripe fruit, he leapt into the sky to seize it and was struck down by Indra's thunderbolt, injuring his jaw - from which he took the name Hanuman. Granted many boons by the gods, he grew into a being of immeasurable strength who became Rama's greatest devotee, leaping the ocean to Lanka and carrying the Sanjivani mountain to save Lakshmana. His life is the Ramayana's supreme testament to bhakti - devotion - and fearless service.
Begin in the Brahma Muhurta and honour the sunrise window shown above for your location - Hanuman's birth-hour.
By legend Hanuman smeared his whole body with sindoor on learning it signified long life for Rama; devotees offer sindoor-and-oil (chola) in remembrance.
Regional traditions place his birth in different months - Chaitra Purnima in the north and west, Margazhi Amavasya in Tamil Nadu, and others elsewhere.