Hanuman Jayanti is one of the most beloved Hindu festivals, honouring the mighty Hanuman, the ardent devotee of Lord Rama and a central figure in the Ramayana. Every year, believers across the Indian subcontinent and in Hindu communities around the world mark this day with prayers, temple visits, storytelling, and acts of service. But when is Hanuman Jayanti? The answer is not a single fixed date on the Gregorian calendar, because the celebration follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar. In this guide, you will discover the different ways the date is determined, regional variations, traditional rituals, and practical tips for those who want to join the celebrations or understand their significance more deeply.
When is Hanuman Jayanti? An Overview of the Core Question
When is Hanuman Jayanti? In many parts of India and in Dyar communities abroad, the festival is observed on the full moon day during the Hindu month of Chaitra, known as Chaitra Purnima. This typically falls in March or April on the Gregorian calendar. However, it is important to note that some regions celebrate on different days, based on local customs, temple traditions, or regional lunar calculations. So, while “When is Hanuman Jayanti?” is often answered with “Chaitra Purnima,” the precise date can vary from year to year and place to place. By understanding both the general rule and the regional exceptions, you can determine the correct date for your community or temple.
Hanuman Jayanti: The Significance of the Date
Hanuman is revered as a symbol of strength, courage, and devoted service. The festival commemorates his birth, according to many traditions. The date is traditionally chosen for its auspicious alignment with lunar cycles, sunrise timings, and temple schedules. Observing the day with puja (ritual worship), recitation of Hanuman Chalisa, reading stories of Hanuman’s feats, and acts of charity are common practices. For seekers and believers, the precise day matters less than the intention and devotion with which the celebrations are conducted. Yet for organisers and travellers, knowing when is Hanuman Jayanti helps families plan observances, temple activities, and community gatherings well in advance.
The Origins: Who was Hanuman and Why Celebrate?
To understand when Hanuman Jayanti occurs, it helps to know who Hanuman is and what he represents. Hanuman is a central figure in the Ramayana, revered as a devotee of Lord Rama and praised for unwavering bravery, wisdom, humility, and selfless service. Temples dedicated to Hanuman are found across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and diaspora communities around the world. On the day of Hanuman Jayanti, devotees often recall episodes from Hanuman’s life—his miraculous strength, fearless service to Rama, and episodes of overcoming fear and doubt. Because his life embodies courage balanced with compassion, the festival is a time for personal reflection as well as communal celebration. In short, when is Hanuman Jayanti, we celebrate not only a birth, but a model of righteous action that remains relevant in modern life.
Across India, the date of Hanuman Jayanti is influenced by local calendars, temple traditions, and cultural practices. Here are the primary regional patterns you are likely to encounter:
Chaitra Purnima and the North Indian Tradition
In many northern states—such as Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, and parts of Madhya Pradesh—the festival is observed on the Chaitra Purnima, the full moon day in the Hindu month of Chaitra. For people in these regions, “When is Hanuman Jayanti?” commonly means “the day of Chaitra Purnima.” On this date, devotees visit Hanuman temples, perform pujas, sing bhajans, and recite Hanuman Chalisa. The exact Gregorian date shifts each year, but the Chaitra Purnima framework remains a guiding principle for planning and participation.
Chaitra Purnima Observed Elsewhere in the Country
Even outside the North, many communities honour the same lunar phase. In states with strong Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, or Gujarati influences, you may find celebrations aligned to Chaitra Purnima, albeit with local ceremonial flavours that reflect regional music, language, and customs. When is Hanuman Jayanti in these areas? The answer is often anchored to the lunar month’s full moon, occasionally adjusted to fit temple timetables or astrologically auspicious timings (muhurat).
Alternate Dates in Certain Regions
Some regions observe Hanuman Jayanti on a different day, frequently tied to a particular lunar tithi (the dates in Hindu calendars depend on the lunar day, not the solar date). For example, a few temples celebrate on the ninth day of the Chaitra month or on specific days associated with Hanuman’s avatar or legends. In these places, the question when is Hanuman Jayanti becomes more nuanced: it is tied to temple-specific rituals, local priestly decisions, and lunar calculations used by the astrologers who prepare the temple calendar.
When you ask “When is Hanuman Jayanti?” in a specific city or temple, it’s wise to check the local panchang (Hindu calendar) or to contact the temple directly. Accurate information helps you align with the community’s prayers and avoid missing the auspicious timings for puja and bhajans.
The Hindu calendar blends lunar months with solar corrections to keep seasons aligned. Two key elements influence the date of Hanuman Jayanti: the lunar month (Chaitra) and the phase of the moon (Purnima). The steps typically followed include:
- Determining the lunar month: Chaitra begins with the new moon after the ending of the Magha or Phalguna month, depending on regional calendars.
- Identifying Purnima: The full moon day within Chaitra—Chaitra Purnima—becomes the focal point for many communities.
- Consulting the local koṭi or astrologer: Some temples consult astrologers to obtain the most auspicious muhurtas (timings) for the sunrise, abhishek (sacred bath), and main puja.
- Regional adjustments: In practice, temple calendars may shift the ceremony to the day closest to Purnima if the full moon falls during late hours, or to coordinate with community availability.
For observers around the world, the guiding principle remains consistent: follow the local temple calendar and panchang. Whether you say, “When is Hanuman Jayanti?” or “When is Hanuman Jayanti in my city?” you’ll often find two points: the lunar date and the daylight timings for pujas. The event is both a spiritual and communal occasion, bringing people together to chant, read, and reflect on Hanuman’s exemplary devotion and strength.
Across communities, the day is marked by a rich tapestry of rituals designed to evoke Hanuman’s courage, humility, and devotion. While the specifics vary, several core practices are common:
Devotional pujas begin with clean spaces, sacred symbols, and offerings such as vermilion, flowers, and fruits. A central part of the day is the recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, a 40-verse hymn praising Hanuman’s strength, bravery, and devotion to Rama. Many devotees chant the Chalisa multiple times, sometimes at dawn and again in the evening, aligning with the sunrise and sunset timings characteristic of Hindu worship days.
An abhishek—the sacred bathing of the deity—often accompanies the early morning puja. This ritual may involve milk, honey, ghee, water, and other auspicious substances, followed by dressing the idol in new clothes or adornments. In temples, a procession or a ceremonial arati (the offering of light) may accompany the celebrations, inviting the community to participate with bells, conch shells, and rhythmic songs.
Storytelling sessions recount episodes from Hanuman’s life—his leaps across oceans, his role in aiding Rama, and his unwavering service. Bhajans, kirtans, and devotional songs fill the air with musical devotion, often accompanied by traditional instruments such as mridanga drums, harmoniums, and tablas. These musical expressions help attendees connect emotionally with the themes of courage, humility, and service.
Some devotees observe a fast or partial fasting on Hanuman Jayanti, while others engage in charitable acts, such as feeding the poor, distributing prasad (sacred food), or donating to temples. The act of seva (selfless service) is particularly associated with Hanuman’s example of serving others, reinforcing the festival’s ethical dimension as well as its spiritual significance.
In many towns, particularly in strong regional centres, processions with trustfully constructed effigies of Hanuman or images carried through streets are common. People gather in temples or public squares to listen to discourses, share meals, and exchange blessings. Even in modern urban settings, Hanuman Jayanti provides a focal point for community cohesion, family time, and intergenerational learning about tradition and values.
If you are planning to observe Hanuman Jayanti or travel to participate in temple events, these practical tips can help you optimise your experience and ensure respectful participation:
- Check local calendars: Confirm the exact date and timings with your nearest Hanuman temple or the regional panchang. This helps you align with pujas and aratis.
- Arrive early: Temples can be crowded on Hanuman Jayanti. Arriving early allows you to participate in morning rituals and to offer prayers with yourself and your family.
- Dress modestly: Respect local customs—modest clothing with shoulders and knees covered is a common expectation in many temples.
- Participate respectfully: Follow temple etiquette, such as removing shoes, handling offerings carefully, and respecting ritual sequences.
- Respect regional variations: If the date differs from what you expected, remember that “When is Hanuman Jayanti?” can vary by region. The key is to join with sincerity and devotion.
- Plan for travel and crowds: If you’re visiting from outside the city, book accommodation or travel in advance, particularly during peak festival times.
Hindu communities around the world celebrate Hanuman Jayanti with temple services, home pujas, and cultural events. In cities with large Indian communities, you’ll often find mainland temples hosting public processions, bhajan evenings, and language-specific storytelling. Diaspora communities maintain the tradition with a blend of local cultural influences, creating a vibrant, global celebration that still echoes the core themes of courage, devotion and service. For families living abroad, it’s a meaningful opportunity to introduce younger generations to the stories and values behind Hanuman Jayanti, while also enjoying the universal message of strength used for good.
Many major temples feature extended celebrations during Hanuman Jayanti, drawing pilgrims from across regions. Some well-known centres include the Hanuman temples in Ayodhya, in various districts of Uttar Pradesh, and significant Hanuman shrines in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and beyond. Local temples in towns and cities across the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe also mark the festival with special pujas and community meals. If you are visiting a new city, look for temples listed in local Hindu calendars or community associations to discover when the most meaningful Hanuman Jayanti events will take place.
Beyond the calendar date, the heart of Hanuman Jayanti lies in the themes Hanuman embodies: fearlessness in the face of adversity, steadfast service, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. People ask questions such as “When is Hanuman Jayanti?” not only to plan celebrations but to reflect on how the festival can inspire daily life. The date serves as a focal point for satsang (spiritual gatherings), for families to teach children about dharma (righteous living), and for communities to come together in a shared expression of devotion and generosity. In this sense, the timing is less important than the intention and the quality of the observance.
For those who manage temple calendars or participate in planning, here are practical steps to stay aligned with when is Hanuman Jayanti in a given year:
- Consult the annual panchang: The Hindu calendar published for the year will list the dates for Chaitra Purnima and related pith timing for Hanuman Jayanti in different regions.
- Follow temple announcements: Temples often publish an official schedule with puja timings and bhajan sessions well in advance.
- Cross-check with community groups: Local cultural associations may provide additional details about street processions or community meals tied to the festival.
- Be mindful of time zones and daylight hours: For those travelling across time zones, verify sunrise and arati timings to participate fully in the day’s rituals.
When is Hanuman Jayanti celebrated in most parts of India?
In most parts of India, Hanuman Jayanti is observed on Chaitra Purnima, the full moon day in the Hindu month of Chaitra. That said, some regions may celebrate on a different date due to local calendars or temple customs.
Is Hanuman Jayanti the same as Rama Navami?
No. Rama Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, whereas Hanuman Jayanti celebrates Hanuman’s birth. While both are linked through the Ramayana and the devotion to Rama, they are distinct commemorations with separate rituals and dates in many communities.
Can I celebrate Hanuman Jayanti at home?
Absolutely. Many households perform a home puja, recite the Hanuman Chalisa, offer prasad, and share a meal with family and friends. Home observances are common and provide a personal way to connect with Hanuman’s attributes of strength, courage, and service.
What should I expect when visiting a temple on Hanuman Jayanti?
Expect a day of devotion, bells, conches, and vibrant bhajans. Temples may host morning abhishek, arati ceremonies, and storytelling sessions. It’s a communal and spiritual experience, so plan for a bit of extra time to participate in the rituals and to receive blessings.
Whether you are seeking to understand when is Hanuman Jayanti for scholarly reasons, religious devotion, or cultural interest, the core message remains consistent: the date is a reflection of lunar calculations and regional traditions rather than a fixed Gregorian date. Hanuman Jayanti represents more than a date on the calendar; it is a reminder of courage, integrity, and selfless service. By recognising regional variations, consulting local temple calendars, and participating with reverence, you can observe the festival in a manner that is authentic, meaningful, and inclusive.
Across the UK and around the world, the festival brings communities together to celebrate Hanuman’s example. When is Hanuman Jayanti? The answer is a dynamic, living tradition that adapts to local times and customs while preserving the essence of devotion, bravery, and service. Whether you attend a temple ceremony on Chaitra Purnima or join a home puja that honours Hanuman’s strength and wisdom, the festival offers an opportunity to reflect on how courage and compassion can illuminate daily life. Embrace the day with humility, gather with loved ones, share prasad, and let the stories of Hanuman inspire you to face challenges with steadfast faith and a generous heart.