Image: made with AIHanuman
Also known as: Anjaneya • Maruti • Pavanputra • Bajrangbali
Hanuman is a central figure of the Ramayana and the foremost devotee of Lord Rama. According to the Valmiki Ramayana, he is the son of Kesari and Anjana, and Vayu, the wind god, is his divine father. He was a minister of the vanara king Sugriva, and it was he who went to Lanka and found Sita.
Hanuman at a glance
- Mother
- Anjana
- Devoted to
- Rama
- Position
- Minister of Sugriva
- Key recitations
- Hanuman Chalisa, Sundara Kanda
- Days of worship
- Tuesday, Saturday
- Hanuman Jayanti
- Chaitra Purnima in North India; a different date in some regions
Hanuman: relations
Family, scriptures, tirthas and festivals
14 relations of Hanuman, each with its source in the texts or the tradition. Tap a name to open its own page, or its relations in the Sanatan tree.
See the whole knowledge graphAll 14 relations, with sources
Family
Source: Valmiki Ramayana 4.66; Mahabharata, Vana Parva, chapters 146–148 (Ganguli)Deities, figures and sages 6
- Shiva · Rudra avatar Shaiva viewShiva Purana, Shatarudra Samhita
- Sugriva · KingValmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda
- Rama · Deity worshippedValmiki Ramayana
- Sita · Search and messageValmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kanda
- Jambavan · Reminded him of his strengthValmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda, sarga 66
- Akshaya Kumara · KilledValmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kanda, sarga 47
Scriptures and mantras 2
- Sundara Kanda · Main kandaValmiki Ramayana, Kanda 5
- Hanuman Chalisa · Hymn of praiseHanuman Chalisa
Tirths and places 1
- Lanka · BurnedValmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kanda
Festivals 1
- Naraka Chaturdashi · Festival (his jayanti in some traditions)Tradition (Ayodhya and others)
Who is Hanuman’s father? Three answers, each with its source
This question shows that texts and traditions can give different answers to the same question. SanatanBodh presents every view along with its source.
Kesari
The vanara chief Kesari and Anjana are Hanuman’s parents.
Valmiki Ramayana 4.66Vayu Deva
In the same episode, Jambavan explains that Hanuman was born of the radiance of Vayu, which makes Vayu his divine father.
Valmiki Ramayana 4.66Shiva (Rudra avatar)
The Shaiva tradition regards Hanuman as the Rudra avatar of Shiva.
Shiva Purana, Shatarudra Samhita
Key episodes in the Ramayana
Minister of Sugriva
In Kishkindha, the friendship between Lord Rama and Sugriva came about through Hanuman.
Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha KandaCrossing the ocean and finding Sita
He crossed the ocean to reach Lanka, and in the Ashoka Vatika he gave Sita Lord Rama’s ring and message.
Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara KandaThe burning of Lanka
He set Lanka on fire on his way back from Ravana’s court.
Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara KandaSanjeevani
When Lakshmana was wounded in battle, he brought back the mountain of healing herbs.
Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda
Festivals of Hanuman
Worship of Hanuman
Hanuman: Aarti, Chalisa, Stuti, Mantra and Namavali, each on its own page
Frequently asked questions
Who is Hanuman’s father?
According to the Valmiki Ramayana (4.66), Kesari is his father and Anjana his mother, and Vayu is his divine father. The Shaiva tradition regards him as the Rudra avatar of Shiva.
Whose minister was Hanuman?
Sugriva’s, the king of the vanaras.
Who wrote the Hanuman Chalisa?
According to tradition, Goswami Tulsidas.
Sources
Checked against sources- Valmiki Ramayana 4.66
- Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda
- Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kanda
- Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda
- Shiva Purana, Shatarudra Samhita
