There is perhaps no figure in all of Puranic literature who embodies pure, selfless devotion more completely than Sri Hanuman. He asked for nothing from Rama except the opportunity to serve. He crossed the ocean for Sita, burned Lanka with his own tail, carried a mountain of healing herbs for Lakshmana, and yet described himself only as a humble servant. On Hanuman Jayanti — the birthday of this greatest of devotees — Hindu families across the world observe special puja, read the Hanuman Chalisa, visit temples, and celebrate the power of surrender. ISKCON Silicon Valley’s home kirtan program brings the full devotional force of that tradition into your own living room. It is a tradition that thrives in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley too.

Who Is Hanuman? The Shakti of Devotion Incarnate

The Valmiki Ramayana — the Sanskrit original — describes Hanuman in terms that leave no ambiguity about his greatness: learned in all four Vedas, master of grammar, eloquent, physically incomparable, and above all, completely devoted to Rama. When he first meets Rama and Lakshmana in the forest, he speaks to them in such flawless Sanskrit that Lakshmana tells Rama: “One who has studied the Vedas to their fullness, who has learned grammar thoroughly — such a person speaks as this being speaks. In all his words there is not one wrong expression.”

Hanuman is universally understood in the Vaishnava tradition as an avatar of Shiva — specifically, Rudra — who appeared in the form of a monkey to serve Lord Rama directly. The Brahma-samhita (5.45) teaches that Shiva is to Vishnu as milk transformed into yogurt — not Vishnu himself, but wholly derived from Vishnu’s potency and of equal devotional dignity. Hanuman’s appearance as Shiva’s expansion in service to Rama thus represents the greatest Vaishnava expression: even Shiva himself, in his most devoted form, worships Vishnu’s avatar.

The foremost devotee of the Lord is Hanuman, the monkey-king, who is never separated from Rama’s service. He is endowed with all virtues — Vedic learning, physical strength, and above all, pure love for the lotus feet of Lord Rama.

— Based on Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda

Hanuman Jayanti: The Birthday of Perfect Devotion

Hanuman Jayanti is observed on the full moon day of Chaitra month — the same month as Ram Navami, which falls a little before. In some traditions, particularly in the South, Hanuman Jayanti is observed in Margazhi or Karthika. The day is marked with reading of the Hanuman Chalisa (the forty-verse devotional poem by Tulsidas), Sundarkand recitation (many Bay Area families also pair this with a Ram Navami home kirtan), special puja at Hanuman temples, and the chanting of Rama naam — because Hanuman is inseparable from Rama’s name. To chant Hare Rama is to honor Hanuman.

The Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas describes Hanuman as possessing the eight divine qualities — from incomparable strength and fearlessness to knowledge of all scriptures — but choosing to live as a servant. This voluntary humility in the face of extraordinary power is considered the highest spiritual accomplishment: to know oneself as greater than all external circumstances, and yet to choose service over sovereignty. Hanuman’s example teaches devotees that genuine bhakti is not weakness — it is the most courageous form of strength.

The Hanuman Chalisa and the Power of Nama

The Hanuman Chalisa — composed by Tulsidas in the Awadhi dialect of Hindi — is one of the most widely recited devotional texts in the Hindu world. Its forty verses cover Hanuman’s appearance, qualities, and pastimes, and culminate in the teaching that constant remembrance of Hanuman brings one to the memory of Rama, and Rama’s name is the direct path to liberation. Verse four states: Rāma dūta atulita bala dhāmā — “O messenger of Rama, you are the abode of incomparable strength.” Millions of devotees recite this text daily as their primary morning practice.

Simply by remembering the holy name of Sri Rama, one destroys all one’s sins and is eligible to enter the kingdom of God.

— Padma Purana

Bring a Hanuman Jayanti Kirtan Into Your Own Home

ISKCON Silicon Valley’s home kirtan program brings the spirit of Hanuman Jayanti — the bhakti of the greatest devotee — directly to your family. Devotees come to your home for a two-hour evening of live kirtan (Hanuman bhajans, Rama naam chanting, and Hare Krishna with instruments), a short katha on Hanuman’s significance and his example of perfect devotional service, and an arati. No cost, no requirements — ISKCON-sponsored and open to all families. To book a home kirtan Bay Area session, use the Calendly widget above or send a WhatsApp message.

Families in San Jose, Fremont, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Milpitas have hosted ISKCON kirtan evenings at home — our devotees travel to you.

The kirtan format on Hanuman Jayanti draws from both the Braj and the Ramayana traditions: Jai Hanuman, Jai Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram alongside Hare Rama Hare Rama and Hanuman-specific devotional songs. Many families find that children connect powerfully with Hanuman’s story — his courage, his size-changing abilities, his loyalty — and that the kirtan environment makes the story feel alive and present rather than historical. See past home evenings at @bhajanclubbing.bayarea on Instagram.

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ISKCON Silicon Valley: Honoring the Tradition of Selfless Service

ISKCON — the International Society for Krishna Consciousness — was founded by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966, who frequently cited Hanuman as the ideal of selfless devotional service. ISKCON Silicon Valley has served the Bay Area since 1968. Our devotees who come to your home on Hanuman Jayanti carry this same tradition of service: they come not to teach you something new but to deepen and celebrate what your family already holds dear.

Want to host this kind of evening at your home? Choose a date below — our kirtan team will travel to you.

Host a Hanuman Jayanti Kirtan at Your Home

Hanuman Jayanti falls on the full moon of Chaitra month (typically April). Check availability below and book early — festival evenings are reserved quickly.

Book a Hanuman Jayanti home kirtan session →

For temple Hanuman Jayanti programs, see iskconsv.com/programs. Contact us with any questions.

Gaurav Verma

Kirtan Volunteer · ISKCON Silicon Valley

Gaurav has been leading bhajans and kirtans in Bay Area homes for more than 10 years. He teaches harmonium for kirtan on YouTube, shares bhajan albums on SoundCloud, and coordinates the Vrindavan Mellows home kirtan service across the San Francisco Bay Area.