How did Hanuman get his name?

As a child he leapt at the sun, thinking it was a fruit, and Indra's thunderbolt struck his jaw (hanu) — which is how he came to be called Hanuman.

Who are Hanuman's parents?

Hanuman is the son of Anjana and the vanara chief Kesari, and is called the son of the wind because he was born through the blessing of Vayu.

On which days is Hanuman worshipped?

Tuesdays and Saturdays are traditionally kept for Hanuman, when devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa and the Sundara Kanda.

Yes — tradition counts Hanuman among the eight chiranjivis, the immortals, blessed by Rama to live as long as his story is told.

What is the Sundara Kanda?

The Sundara Kanda is the fifth book of the Ramayana, telling of Hanuman's leap across the ocean, his finding of Sita and the burning of Lanka.

Hanuman

Son of the Wind, Remover of Troubles

Hanuman is the devoted disciple of Lord Rama and son of the wind god, revered for strength, courage, and unwavering devotion.

The Story of Hanuman

Hanuman is the son of the vanara chief Kesari and Mother Anjana, and because he was born through the blessing of Vayu, the wind god, he is called Pavanaputra or Maruti; many traditions also revere him as an incarnation of Shiva. As a child he leapt into the sky to seize the rising sun, mistaking it for a ripe fruit. Indra's thunderbolt struck his jaw (hanu) — the source of the name "Hanuman". When the wounded child's father Vayu withdrew the breath of life from the world in anger, the gods appeased him by showering the boy with boons: immense strength, the power to change form at will, and protection from fire, water and wind. Because of a sage's curse provoked by his boyhood mischief, he forgot these powers until someone would remind him of them. In the Ramayana, Hanuman meets Rama as the minister of Sugriva, king of Kishkindha, and from that moment becomes his devoted servant. When the search party for Sita sat despairing on the seashore, Jambavan reminded Hanuman of his forgotten strength. He crossed the ocean in a single leap, found Sita in Ravana's Ashoka grove and gave her Rama's ring, and when Ravana had his tail set on fire, he used it to set Lanka ablaze. When Lakshmana fell unconscious in battle, Hanuman carried back an entire Himalayan mountain so the healing Sanjivani herb could be found. The Sundara Kanda of Valmiki's Ramayana is above all the story of his exploits. Blessed by Rama, Hanuman is a chiranjivi, an immortal — tradition holds that he is present wherever Rama's story is told. In the Mahabharata he humbles the proud Bhima and takes his place on the banner of Arjuna's chariot. Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas and the Hanuman Chalisa carried him into every home as the ideal devotee. Tuesdays and Saturdays are especially kept for his worship, and Hanuman Jayanti celebrates his birth.

Iconography & Symbols

Depicted bearing a mace, smeared with vermilion, often carrying the Sanjivani mountain — emblems of strength and devotion.

Other Names

Bajrangbali
Maruti
Sankatmochan
Pavanaputra
Anjaneya
Kesarinandan

Hanuman: Aartis, Chalisas, Stotras & Festivals

Chalisa

Hanuman Chalisa

Stotra

Festival

Hanuman Jayanti

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Hanuman get his name?: As a child he leapt at the sun, thinking it was a fruit, and Indra's thunderbolt struck his jaw (hanu) — which is how he came to be called Hanuman.
Who are Hanuman's parents?: Hanuman is the son of Anjana and the vanara chief Kesari, and is called the son of the wind because he was born through the blessing of Vayu.
On which days is Hanuman worshipped?: Tuesdays and Saturdays are traditionally kept for Hanuman, when devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa and the Sundara Kanda.
Is Hanuman immortal?: Yes — tradition counts Hanuman among the eight chiranjivis, the immortals, blessed by Rama to live as long as his story is told.
What is the Sundara Kanda?: The Sundara Kanda is the fifth book of the Ramayana, telling of Hanuman's leap across the ocean, his finding of Sita and the burning of Lanka.