Quick answer: The Hanuman Chalisa is a 16th-century Hindu devotional hymn to Lord Hanuman, written by the poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas (1532–1623 CE) in Awadhi, a vernacular dialect of the Ayodhya region. Its name comes from chālīs, meaning “forty” — the hymn’s core is 40 verses (chaupais), framed by two opening couplets (dohas) and one closing couplet, making 43 verses in all. It is traditionally recited on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and remains one of the most widely recited devotional texts in the world.
Key Takeaways
- Author: Goswami Tulsidas, the 16th-century poet-saint who also composed the Ramcharitmanas. His name appears in the closing verses.
- Language: Awadhi — not Sanskrit. This was a deliberate choice that made the hymn accessible to ordinary people.
- Structure: 43 verses total — 2 introductory dohas + 40 chaupais + 1 concluding doha.
- Meaning of the name: “Chalisa” derives from chalis (forty), referring to the 40 main verses.
- Traditional recitation days: Tuesday (associated with Hanuman) and Saturday (associated with Shani/Saturn).
- Modern reach: the 1992 T-Series recording by Hariharan, presented by Gulshan Kumar, became the first devotional song to pass one billion YouTube views and is now among the most-viewed songs on the platform.
Hanuman Chalisa: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Hanuman Chalisa (हनुमान चालीसा) |
| Author | Goswami Tulsidas (1532–1623 CE) |
| Language | Awadhi (a dialect of the Ayodhya region) |
| Total verses | 43 — 2 dohas + 40 chaupais + 1 doha |
| Dedicated to | Lord Hanuman |
| Poetic metre | Doha (couplet) and Chaupai (quatrain) |
| Traditional days | Tuesday and Saturday |
| Related festival | Hanuman Jayanti (Chaitra month, March–April) |
| Other work by the author | Ramcharitmanas |
Understanding the Hanuman Chalisa
The Hanuman Chalisa is the collection of forty chaupais on Hanuman. It is a devotional song or a hymn that is addressed to the Lord Hanuman. Tulsidas, the 16th century poet has written Hanuman Chalisa in Awadhi language.
Apart from being the author of Hanuman Chalisa, Tulsidas is also revered for Ramcharitmanas. The word ‘chalisa’ is derived from ‘chalis’ which means the number 40 in Hindi and this name is given to this verse as it comprises of 40 verses, apart from the couplets that are there at the beginning and at the end.
Lord Hanuman is a devotee of Ram and is also touted to be one of the main characters of Ramayan, the Indian epic. As per few Shaivite beliefs, Lord Hanuman is believed to be Lord Shiva’s incarnation. Folklores claim the powers of Hanuman Ji. Lord Hanuman is famous for courage, strength, celibacy, wisdom and his extreme devotion to Lord Rama.
He was known by several names, all of which are mentioned in Hanuman Chalisa. There are several Indian Hindu households that chant and recite the Hanuman Chalisa as a part of their religious offerings. This is considered to be one of the most famous hymns to praise Lord Hanuman and it is said to be recited by several millions every day.
Hanuman Chalisa – More on the work
The entire credit of writing this religious verse, Hanuman Chalisa goes to Tulsidas, who is a saint-poet who hailed from the 16th century, CE. His name is mentioned in the last verse of Hanuman Chalisa.
It is also mentioned in the last paragraph that anyone who chants this verse with entire devotion will get the grace of Hanuman. This has always been a famous belief that reciting this verse appeals a divine intervention to all grave issues of life.
A little bit on the author
Tulsidas was a Hindu philosopher, reformer, a saint and a poet who was well known for his devotion and commitment towards Rama. Goswami Tulsidas is the name behind several famous works among which the best epic is Ramcharitmanas, which is a retelling of the story of Ramayan in Awadhi language.
Tulsidas is said to be an incarnation of Valmiki who is the composer and author of Ramayan in Sanskrit. Until Tulsidas’ death, he lived in Varanasi. In fact, the Tulsi Ghat of Varanasi has been named after Tulsidas. He also found the Sankat Mochan temple that is dedicated to Hanuman Ji in Varanasi. This temple is said to stand at the exact place where he got a sight of Hanuman.
Language of Hanuman Chalisa
The verse begins with two couplets and there is one couplet at the ending in between the 40 verses of Hanuman Chalisa. The details of Hanuman Chalisa are given in order of his devotion towards Rama, knowledge and about him being a man sans desire. Tulsidas begins the poem with 2 couplets where he praises his teacher (Guru).
Deity
The Hindu God to whom all the prayers have been addressed is Hanuman who is an ardent admirer of Ram, the seventh reincarnation of Vishnu. Lord Hanuman is also said to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Hanuman is Lord Ram’s disciple in the battle against Ravan, the demon king.
The exploits and feats of Ravan are celebrated in different cultural and religious traditions, especially in Hinduism. As per Sanatan Dharma, Hanuman is one of the seven immortals (chiranjeevs).
Hanuman Chalisa – The story behind
Tulsidas had once gone to meet Aurangzeb where the Moghul Emperor mocked at him and threw him a challenge of showing God to him. The poet adroitly replied that it was not possible to see Lord Rama without devotion.
Due to his reply, he was imprisoned by the Emperor. Tulsidas is believed to have written the incredible verses of Hanuman Chalisa while being imprisoned. As soon as he finished writing and recited it, an army of monkeys endangered Delhi.
Divine secrets of Hanuman Chalisa
There is definitely a reason behind chanting Hanuman Chalisa. It is believed that if you recite the 40 verses for 40 days, God will answer your prayers. If a person chants this with entire dedication, then he can have darshan of 12 jyotirlingas, 8 murtis, 5 mukhs and 15 eyes.
Astrological Significance
- As per the astrologers, it was found that Hanuman Chalisa is extremely effective in useful in handling the malign impacts of Saturn and the planet’s minor and major periods. If you’re someone who is already under the spell of this planet, you’ll find huge relief if you chant the Chalisa 8 times on the Saturday of every week.
- Those who are mangliks or with ‘mongol dosha’ need to chant the Chalisa for receiving the best results. Mars has several positive qualities like courage, strength, energy and indomitable spirit. You can obtain all these qualities by chanting Hanuman Chalisa.
- Those who have disorders of planet Saturn and Mars should chant Chalisa for receiving positive results.
When should you chant Hanuman Chalisa?
You can recite it both in the evening and in the morning and it’ll take just 10 minutes of your routine to go through this beautiful hymn. Each verse of Chalisa has its own significance. You can even read the verses according to your needs.
- 1st opening verse – To remove bad karma.
- 1st verse – To attain divine knowledge.
- 2nd verse – To gain strength and wisdom.
- 3rd verse – To eliminate bad habits and company.
- 7th and 8th verse – To cultivate devotion.
- 12th verse – To let go of misunderstanding with daughters and sons.
- 11th verse – To protect from snake bites and poisons.
- 13th-15th verse – To become famous.
- 27th-28th verse – To fulfill all desires.
- 26th verse – To liberate oneself from crisis.
- 30th verse – To gain victory against enemies.
- 32nd-35th verse – To follow an ethical life.
- 36th verse – To attain mental peace.
- 37th verse – To sing the grace of Lord Hanuman.
So, if you wish to remove and eliminate all sins and negative forces from your life, start chanting the Hanuman Chalisa to gain benefits.
Shree Hanuman Chalisa Lyrics In Hindi
॥दोहा॥
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि ।
बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि ॥
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार ।
बल बुधि बिद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस बिकार ॥
॥चौपाई॥
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर ।
जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर ॥१॥
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा ।
अञ्जनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा ॥२॥
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरङ्गी ।
कुमति निवार सुमति के सङ्गी ॥३॥
कञ्चन बरन बिराज सुबेसा ।
कानन कुण्डल कुञ्चित केसा ॥४॥
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै ।
काँधे मूँज जनेउ साजै ॥५॥
सङ्कर सुवन केसरीनन्दन ।
तेज प्रताप महा जग बन्दन ॥६॥
बिद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर ।
राम काज करिबे को आतुर ॥७॥
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया ।
राम लखन सीता मन बसिया ॥८॥
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा ।
बिकट रूप धरि लङ्क जरावा ॥९॥
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे ।
रामचन्द्र के काज सँवारे ॥१०॥
लाय सञ्जीवन लखन जियाये ।
श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये ॥११॥
रघुपति कीह्नी बहुत बड़ाई ।
तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई ॥१२॥
सहस बदन तुह्मारो जस गावैं ।
अस कहि श्रीपति कण्ठ लगावैं ॥१३॥
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा ।
नारद सारद सहित अहीसा ॥१४॥
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते ।
कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते ॥१५॥
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीह्ना ।
राम मिलाय राज पद दीह्ना ॥१६॥
तुह्मरो मन्त्र बिभीषन माना ।
लङ्केस्वर भए सब जग जाना ॥१७॥
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानु ।
लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू ॥१८॥
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं ।
जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं ॥१९॥
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते ।
सुगम अनुग्रह तुह्मरे तेते ॥२०॥
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे ।
होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे ॥२१॥
सब सुख लहै तुह्मारी सरना ।
तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना ॥२२॥
आपन तेज सह्मारो आपै ।
तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै ॥२३॥
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै ।
महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै ॥२४॥
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा ।
जपत निरन्तर हनुमत बीरा ॥२५॥
सङ्कट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै ।
मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै ॥२६॥
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा ।
तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा ॥२७॥
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै ।
सोई अमित जीवन फल पावै ॥२८॥
चारों जुग परताप तुह्मारा ।
है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा ॥२९॥
साधु सन्त के तुम रखवारे ।
असुर निकन्दन राम दुलारे ॥३०॥
अष्टसिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता ।
अस बर दीन जानकी माता ॥३१॥
राम रसायन तुह्मरे पासा ।
सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा ॥३२॥
तुह्मरे भजन राम को पावै ।
जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै ॥३३॥
अन्त काल रघुबर पुर जाई ।
जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई ॥३४॥
और देवता चित्त न धरई ।
हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई ॥३५॥
सङ्कट कटै मिटै सब पीरा ।
जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा ॥३६॥
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं ।
कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं ॥३७॥
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई ।
छूटहि बन्दि महा सुख होई ॥३८॥
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा ।
होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा ॥३९॥
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा ।
कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा ॥४०॥
॥दोहा॥
पवनतनय सङ्कट हरन मङ्गल मूरति रूप ।
राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप ॥
10] Shri Hanuman Chalisa Lyrics In English
॥ Doha ॥
Shri guru charan saroj raj neej manu mukur sudhari ।
Baranu raghubar bimal jasu jo dayaku phal chari ॥
Buddhi heen tanu janike sumero pavan kumar ।
Bal buddhi bidya deu mohi harau kales bikar ॥
॥ Chaupayee ॥
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar ।
Jai kapis tihu lok ujagar ॥01॥
Ram doot atulit bal dhama ।
Anjaani-putra pavan sut nama ॥02॥
Mahabir bikram Bajrangi ।
Kumati nivar sumati ke sangi ॥03॥
Kanchan baran biraj subesa ।
Kanan kundal kunchit kesa ॥04॥
Hath bajra aur dhvaja biraje ।
Kaandhe munj janeu saje ॥05॥
Sankar suvan Kesari nandan ।
Tej pratap maha jag bandan ॥06॥
Bidyavaan guni ati chatur ।
Ram kaj karibe ko aatur ॥07॥
Prabhu charitra sunibe-ko rasiya ।
Ram Lakhan Sita maan basiya ॥08॥
Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava ।
Bikat roop dhari Lank jarava ॥09॥
Bhim roop dhari asur sahare ।
Ramachandra ke kaj savare ॥10॥
Laye sanjivan Lakhan jiyaye ।
Shri Raghuvir harashi ur laye ॥11॥
Raghupati kinhi bahut badhaee ।
Tum mam priye Bharat-hi-sam bhai ॥12॥
Sahas badan tumharo jas gaave ।
Asa-kahi Shripati kantha lagave ॥13॥
Sankadik brahmadi munisa ।
Narad-sarad sahit ahisa ॥14॥
Jum Kuber digpaal jaha teh ।
Kabi Kovid kahi sake kahan teh ॥15॥
Tum upkar Sugreevahi keenha ।
Ram milaye rajpad deenha ॥16॥
Tumharo mantra Vibhishan maana ।
Lankeshvar bhaye sab jag jana ॥17॥
Yug sahastra jojan par bhanu ।
Leelyo tahi madhur phaal janu ॥18॥
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahi ।
Jaladi langhi gaye achraj nahi ॥19॥
Durgaam kaj jagat ke jete ।
Sugam anugraha tumhre tete ॥20॥
Ram duwaare tum rakhvare ।
Hoat na adyna binu paisare ॥21॥
Sab sukh lahe tumhari sarna ।
Tum rakshak kahu ko darna ॥22॥
Aapan tej samharo aape ।
Teenho lok hank teh kanpe ॥23॥
Bhoot pisaach nikat nahin aave ।
Mahabir jab naam sunave ॥24॥
Nase rog hare sab peera ।
Japat nirantar Hanumant beera ॥25॥
Sankat se Hanuman chudave ।
Man karam bachan dyan jo lave ॥26॥
Sab par Ram tapasvee raja ।
Teen ke kaj sakal tum saja ॥27॥
Aur manorath jo koi lave ।
Soee amit jeevan phal pave ॥28॥
Charo yug partap tumhara ।
Hoee parasiddha jagat ujiyara ॥29॥
Sadhu sant ke tum rakhware ।
Asur nikanandan Ram dulare ॥30॥
Ashta-sidhi nav nidhi ke daata ।
Asabar deen Janki mata ॥31॥
Ram rasayan tumhare pasa ।
Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa ॥32॥
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko paave ।
Janam-janam ke dukh bisrave ॥33॥
Anth-kaal Raghubar pur jaee ।
Jaha janma Hari-bhakht kahaee ॥34॥
Aur devta chitta na dharaee ।
Hanumanth se he sarba sukh karaee ॥35॥
Sankat kate-mite sab peera ।
Jo sumire Hanumat balbeera ॥36॥
Jai Jai Jai Hanuman gosaee ।
Krupa karahu gurudev ki naee ॥37॥
Jo sath baar paath kar koi ।
Chuthee bandhi maha sukh hoee ॥38॥
Jo yaha padhe Hanuman Chalisa ।
Hoye Siddhi Sakhi Gaurisa ॥39॥
Tulsidas sada Hari chera ।
Keeje nath hridaye maha dera ॥40॥
॥ Doha ॥
Pavan tanay sankat harana mangal murti roop ।
Ram Lakhan Sita sahit hriday basau sur bhuup ॥
॥ Jai-Ghosh ॥
Bol Bajarangabali ki jai ।
Pavan putra Hanuman ki hai ॥
Hanuman Chalisa Lyrics In Telugu
॥ దోహా- ॥
శ్రీగురు చరన సరోజ రజ నిజ మను ముకుర సుధార ।
బరణౌం రఘువర విమల యశ జో దాయకు ఫలచార ॥
బుద్ధిహీన తను జానికే సుమిరౌం పవనకుమార ।
బల బుద్ధి విద్యా దేహు మోహిఁ హరహు కలేస వికార ॥
॥ చౌపాయీ- ॥
జయ హనుమాన జ్ఞాన గుణ సాగర ।
జయ కపీశ తిహుం లోక ఉజాగర ॥౧॥
రామ దూత అతులిత బల ధామా ।
అంజనిపుత్ర పవనసుత నామా ॥౨॥
మహావీర విక్రమ బజరంగీ ।
కుమతి నివార సుమతి కే సంగీ ॥౩॥
కంచన బరన విరాజ సువేసా ।
కానన కుండల కుంచిత కేశా ॥౪॥
హాథ వజ్ర ఔ ధ్వజా విరాజై ।
కాంధే మూంజ జనేఊ సాజై ॥౫॥
సంకర సువన కేసరీనందన ।
తేజ ప్రతాప మహా జగ వందన ॥౬॥
విద్యావాన గుణీ అతిచాతుర ।
రామ కాజ కరిబే కో ఆతుర ॥౭॥
ప్రభు చరిత్ర సునిబే కో రసియా ।
రామ లఖన సీతా మన బసియా ॥౮॥
సూక్ష్మ రూప ధరి సియహిఁ దిఖావా ।
వికట రూప ధరి లంక జరావా ॥౯॥
భీమ రూప ధరి అసుర సంహారే ।
రామచంద్ర కే కాజ సంవారే ॥౧౦॥
లాయ సజీవన లఖన జియాయే ।
శ్రీరఘువీర హరషి ఉర లాయే ॥౧౧॥
రఘుపతి కీన్హీ బహుత బడాయీ ।
తుమ మమ ప్రియ భరత సమ భాయీ ॥౧౨॥
సహస వదన తుమ్హరో యస గావైఁ ।
అస కహి శ్రీపతి కంఠ లగావైఁ ॥౧౩॥
సనకాదిక బ్రహ్మాది మునీశా ।
నారద శారద సహిత అహీశా ॥౧౪॥
యమ కుబేర దిక్పాల జహాం తే ।
కవి కోవిద కహి సకే కహాం తే ॥౧౫॥
తుమ ఉపకార సుగ్రీవహిం కీన్హా ।
రామ మిలాయ రాజ పద దీన్హా ॥౧౬॥
తుమ్హరో మంత్ర విభీషన మానా ।
లంకేశ్వర భయే సబ జగ జానా॥౧౭॥
యుగ సహస్ర యోజన పర భానూ ।
లీల్యో తాహి మధుర ఫల జానూ ॥౧౮॥
ప్రభు ముద్రికా మేలి ముఖ మాహీఁ ।
జలధి లాంఘి గయే అచరజ నాహీఁ ॥౧౯॥
దుర్గమ కాజ జగత కే జేతే ।
సుగమ అనుగ్రహ తుమ్హరే తేతే ॥౨౦॥
రామ దుఆరే తుమ రఖవారే ।
హోత న ఆజ్ఞా బిను పైసారే ॥౨౧॥
సబ సుఖ లహై తుమ్హారీ సరనా ।
తుమ రక్షక కాహూ కో డర నా ॥౨౨॥
ఆపన తేజ సంహారో ఆపై ।
తీనోఁ లోక హాంక తేఁ కాంపై ॥౨౩॥
భూత పిశాచ నికట నహిఁ ఆవై ।
మహావీర జబ నామ సునావై ॥౨౪॥
నాశై రోగ హరై సబ పీరా ।
జపత నిరంతర హనుమత వీరా ॥౨౫॥
సంకటసే హనుమాన ఛుడావై ।
మన క్రమ వచన ధ్యాన జో లావై ॥౨౬॥
సబ పర రామ తపస్వీ రాజా ।
తిన కే కాజ సకల తుమ సాజా ॥౨౭॥
ఔర మనోరథ జో కోయీ లావై ।
తాసు అమిత జీవన ఫల పావై ॥౨౮॥
చారోఁ యుగ ప్రతాప తుమ్హారా ।
హై ప్రసిద్ధ జగత ఉజియారా ॥౨౯॥
సాధు సంత కే తుమ రఖవారే ।
అసుర నికందన రామ దులారే ॥౩౦॥
అష్ట సిద్ధి నవ నిధి కే దాతా ।
అస బర దీన జానకీ మాతా ॥౩౧॥
రామ రసాయన తుమ్హరే పాసా ।
సదా రహో రఘుపతి కే దాసా ॥౩౨॥
తుమ్హరే భజన రామ కో పావై ।
జన్మ జన్మ కే దుఖ బిసరావై ॥౩౩॥
అంత కాల రఘుపతి పుర జాయీ ।
జహాఁ జన్మి హరిభక్త కహాయీ ॥౩౪॥
ఔర దేవతా చిత్త న ధరయీ ।
హనుమత సేయి సర్వ సుఖ కరయీ ॥౩౫॥
సంకట కటై మిటై సబ పీరా ।
జో సుమిరై హనుమత బలవీరా ॥౩౬॥
జై జై జై హనుమాన గోసాయీఁ ।
కృపా కరహు గురు దేవ కీ నాయీఁ ॥౩౭॥
యహ శత బార పాఠ కర కోయీ ।
ఛూటహి బంది మహా సుఖ హోయీ ॥౩౮॥
జో యహ పఢై హనుమాన చలీసా ।
హోయ సిద్ధి సాఖీ గౌరీసా ॥౩౯॥
తులసీదాస సదా హరి చేరా ।
కీజై నాథ హృదయ మహ డేరా ॥౪౦॥
॥ దోహా- ॥
పవనతనయ సంకట హరణ ।
మంగల మూరతి రూప ॥
రామ లఖన సీతా సహిత ।
హృదయ బసహు సుర భూప ॥
Hanuman Ji Ki Aarti In Hindi
आरती कीजै हनुमान लला की। दुष्ट दलन रघुनाथ कला की।।
जाके बल से गिरिवर कांपे। रोग दोष जाके निकट न झांके।।
अनजानी पुत्र महाबलदायी। संतान के प्रभु सदा सहाई।
दे बीरा रघुनाथ पठाए। लंका जारी सिया सुध लाए।
लंका सो कोट समुद्र सी खाई। जात पवनसुत बार न लाई।
लंका जारी असुर संहारे। सियारामजी के काज संवारे।
लक्ष्मण मूर्छित पड़े सकारे। आणि संजीवन प्राण उबारे।
पैठी पताल तोरि जम कारे। अहिरावण की भुजा उखाड़े।
बाएं भुजा असुरदल मारे। दाहिने भुजा संतजन तारे।
सुर-नर-मुनि जन आरती उतारे। जै जै जै हनुमान उचारे।
कंचन थार कपूर लौ छाई। आरती करत अंजना माई।
लंकविध्वंस कीन्ह रघुराई। तुलसीदास प्रभु कीरति गाई।
जो हनुमान जी की आरती गावै। बसी बैकुंठ परमपद पावै।
आरती कीजै हनुमान लला की। दुष्ट दलन रघुनाथ कला की।
Jai Hanuman Ji Photo, Images, PNG In HD
Shri Hanuman Chalisa Video Song
The Structure of the Hanuman Chalisa Explained
The Chalisa is not a loose collection of praises. It follows a deliberate poetic architecture that explains why it has remained so easy to memorise for more than four centuries.
| Element | Form | Count | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Doha | Couplet (2 lines) | 2 | Invocation and dedication |
| Chaupai | Quatrain (4 lines) | 40 | The main body praising Hanuman’s qualities and deeds |
| Closing Doha | Couplet (2 lines) | 1 | Final prayer and dedication |
The doha is a two-line couplet, each line carrying a 13–11 beat pattern. The chaupai is a four-line verse of roughly 16 beats per line. This is the classic metre of North Indian bhakti (devotional) poetry, and it is built for the voice rather than the page — the rhythm is what allows millions of people who have never read the text to recite it from memory.
That design explains the hymn’s durability. A text composed to be sung in a fixed metre travels through oral tradition far more reliably than prose, passing intact between generations that may never have owned a written copy.
Why Tulsidas Wrote in Awadhi, Not Sanskrit
One of the most significant facts about the Hanuman Chalisa is easy to overlook: it is not in Sanskrit.
Tulsidas composed it in Awadhi, the everyday spoken dialect of the Ayodhya region of what is now Uttar Pradesh. In the 16th century, Sanskrit was the established language of scripture and scholarship — and largely inaccessible to ordinary people. By writing in the vernacular, Tulsidas placed devotional practice directly in the hands of anyone who could speak, regardless of caste, literacy or formal education.
This was consistent with the wider bhakti movement, which emphasised direct personal devotion over ritual mediated by specialists. It is also the practical reason the Chalisa spread so widely: people could understand what they were reciting.
Who Was Goswami Tulsidas?
Goswami Tulsidas (1532–1623 CE) was a poet-saint, philosopher and reformer, and one of the most influential figures in Indian devotional literature. His devotion centred on Rama, and his best-known work is the Ramcharitmanas — a retelling of the Ramayana in Awadhi that remains one of the most widely read texts in North India.
The Hanuman Chalisa fits naturally within that body of work. Hanuman is Rama’s greatest devotee, so a hymn to Hanuman is, in the logic of the tradition, also an act of devotion to Rama. Tulsidas signs the work in its closing verses, which is how the attribution has been carried through the centuries.
Who Is Hanuman?
For readers approaching this text for the first time, some context helps. Hanuman is a central figure in the Ramayana, revered as the embodiment of devotion, strength, courage and selfless service. He is a vanara — a divine being depicted in the form of a monkey — and is celebrated above all for his loyalty to Rama.
The episodes most often referenced in the Chalisa include his leap across the ocean to Lanka in search of Sita, and his carrying of the mountain bearing the healing herb to save Lakshmana. Each verse of the hymn draws on this shared body of story, which is why the text feels dense with allusion to anyone unfamiliar with the Ramayana.
How to Recite the Hanuman Chalisa: A Beginner’s Guide
There is no single mandated method, and practice varies by family, region and tradition. What follows reflects widely observed custom rather than a rule.
- Prepare simply. Many devotees bathe beforehand and sit in a clean space, often facing an image of Hanuman.
- Begin with the opening dohas. These invoke the blessing and set the intention.
- Recite the 40 chaupais in order. Keep a steady rhythm; the metre carries the pace naturally.
- Close with the final doha.
- Take your time with pronunciation. Accuracy matters more than speed, particularly while learning.
If you are starting out: read along with a written text or a recording rather than attempting recitation from memory. Following an established rendition is the most reliable way to learn correct pronunciation and rhythm.
When Is the Hanuman Chalisa Traditionally Recited?
Recitation can take place at any time, but certain days carry particular association in tradition:
- Tuesday — the day most closely associated with Hanuman, and traditionally regarded as the day to begin a new practice of recitation.
- Saturday — associated with Shani (Saturn). In popular tradition Hanuman is believed to ease the difficulties linked with Shani’s influence, including the periods known as Sade Sati and Dhaiya.
- Hanuman Jayanti — the festival marking Hanuman’s birth, observed in the month of Chaitra (March–April), when recitation is especially widespread.
Many households also recite daily, most commonly in the early morning or at dusk.
What Devotees Believe: Faith and Practice
A note on how this section is written: the following describes what is believed and practised within the tradition. These are matters of faith rather than claims that can be established as fact, and this page does not present them as medical, scientific or guaranteed outcomes.
Within Hindu devotional practice, regular recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa is associated with courage in difficulty, protection from harm, relief from fear and anxiety, and the strengthening of discipline and focus. Many devotees describe the practice as steadying — a fixed point in the day that provides calm and structure.
Some practitioners recite a set number of repetitions, commonly 7, 11, 21 or 108 times, particularly during periods of difficulty or as part of a personal vow. Again, these are customs observed within the tradition rather than prescribed requirements.
An important caution: devotional practice is not a substitute for medical, psychological, legal or financial advice. Where you face a serious problem in any of those areas, seek appropriate professional help alongside whatever spiritual practice you observe.
Common Mistakes When Reciting
- Rushing. Speed is not a virtue here. A slower, clearer recitation is closer to how the metre was designed to be sung.
- Skipping the dohas. The opening and closing couplets are part of the work, not optional framing.
- Reciting without understanding. Reading a translation at least once transforms the experience — and understanding was precisely why Tulsidas wrote in Awadhi.
- Relying on unverified texts. Online versions vary in accuracy. Cross-check against a well-established printed edition or recording.
- Treating it as a transaction. The tradition frames the Chalisa as an act of devotion, not a mechanism for obtaining outcomes.
The Hanuman Chalisa in Modern Culture
The Chalisa’s reach today is genuinely remarkable. The 1992 recording by singer Hariharan, released by T-Series and presented by founder Gulshan Kumar, became the first devotional song in the world to cross one billion views on YouTube. It has since gone far beyond that figure, accumulating billions of views and millions of likes, and ranks among the most-viewed songs on the platform in any category.
That statistic is worth pausing on. A hymn composed in a regional dialect in the 16th century is, four hundred years later, one of the most-played pieces of recorded audio on the internet. Few texts of any kind — religious or secular — have made that transition so successfully.
Countless other renditions exist, from traditional temple recitation to contemporary arrangements, and the text is available in Hindi, English transliteration and most major Indian languages.
Glossary of Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chalisa | From chalis, “forty” — a devotional hymn of forty verses |
| Chaupai | A four-line verse, the main form used in the Chalisa |
| Doha | A two-line couplet, used to open and close the work |
| Awadhi | The dialect of the Ayodhya region in which the hymn was composed |
| Bhakti | Devotion; the movement emphasising direct personal worship |
| Vanara | The divine monkey-formed beings of the Ramayana, to whom Hanuman belongs |
| Aarti | A ritual of worship involving light, often accompanied by a devotional song |
| Sade Sati | A seven-and-a-half year period associated with Saturn in Hindu astrology |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote the Hanuman Chalisa?
It was written by Goswami Tulsidas (1532–1623 CE), the poet-saint who also composed the Ramcharitmanas. His name appears in the hymn’s closing verses.
How many verses does the Hanuman Chalisa have?
Forty-three in total: two introductory dohas, forty chaupais, and one closing doha. The name refers to the forty chaupais.
What language is the Hanuman Chalisa written in?
Awadhi, a vernacular dialect of the Ayodhya region — not Sanskrit. Tulsidas chose it deliberately so ordinary people could understand the text.
What does “Chalisa” mean?
It comes from chalis, the word for forty, reflecting the hymn’s forty main verses.
Which day is best for reciting the Hanuman Chalisa?
Tuesday and Saturday carry the strongest traditional association — Tuesday with Hanuman himself, Saturday with Shani. Many devotees recite daily, and recitation is especially widespread on Hanuman Jayanti.
Can anyone recite the Hanuman Chalisa?
Yes. The text was written in a vernacular dialect precisely so it would be accessible to everyone, and there is no restriction on who may read or recite it.
How long does it take to recite?
A typical recitation takes roughly eight to ten minutes at a steady pace, though this varies with tempo and rendition.
Is it necessary to understand the meaning?
Not required by tradition, but strongly worthwhile. Reading a translation alongside the text deepens the experience — and comprehension was the very reason Tulsidas wrote in Awadhi rather than Sanskrit.
What is the most popular recording of the Hanuman Chalisa?
The 1992 T-Series rendition sung by Hariharan and presented by Gulshan Kumar is the best known, and became the first devotional song to surpass one billion YouTube views.
Sources: Wikipedia entry on the Hanuman Chalisa and Tulsidas; published scholarship on Awadhi bhakti poetry and the chaupai/doha metres; reporting on the T-Series recording’s YouTube milestones. Devotional practices described here reflect widely observed tradition and are presented as belief rather than established fact. Last updated: 31 July 2026.
