Hanuman Jayanti 2026 at Hanuman Garhi Ayodhya: Date, Janmotsav, Darshan Time & Crowd Tips
Hanuman Jayanti 2026 at Hanuman Garhi Ayodhya is on 7 Nov (Kartik Chaturdashi), same day as Deepotsav. Why two dates, best darshan time & crowd tips.
Last updated: 18 October 2026 · Written by our Ayodhya-based travel team
Short answer: At Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya, Hanuman Jayanti (Hanumat Janmotsav) 2026 is celebrated on Saturday, 7 November 2026, on Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali). Chaturdashi tithi runs from 10:47 AM on 7 November to 11:27 AM on 8 November. The same evening is Ayodhya Deepotsav, so the crowd is one of the biggest of the year. Go for darshan early in the morning of 7 November, or on the morning of 8 November if you can't. Most of North India celebrates the other Hanuman Jayanti, on Chaitra Purnima (next on 20 April 2027), and Hanuman Garhi marks that day too.
Ask anyone in Ayodhya when Hanuman ji's birthday is, and the answer is "Choti Diwali". It surprises many visitors, because the rest of North India celebrates Hanuman Jayanti in spring, on Chaitra Purnima. In Ayodhya, though, the main janmotsav at Hanuman Garhi falls on Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi, the day before Diwali. In 2026 that is also the night of Deepotsav, so the whole city is celebrating at once: diyas on the ghats, bhajans in every lane, and a queue at Hanuman Garhi from before dawn.
We're based in Ayodhya, and this is one of the days we get the most questions about. Here is everything you need: the date and tithi, why there are two Hanuman Jayantis, what happens at Hanuman Garhi, the best time to go, and how to manage the Deepotsav crowd.
Key takeaways
- Hanuman Garhi celebrates Hanuman Janmotsav on Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi: 7 November 2026.
- It is the same day as Ayodhya Deepotsav, so expect the year's heaviest crowds and vehicle restrictions.
- Best darshan: before 7 AM on 7 November; backup: early morning of 8 November (Chaturdashi lasts till 11:27 AM).
- The other Hanuman Jayanti (Chaitra Purnima) is next on 20 April 2027.
In this guide:
- Hanuman Jayanti 2026 at Hanuman Garhi: At a Glance
- Why Is Hanuman Jayanti Celebrated Twice?
- What Happens at Hanuman Garhi on Hanuman Jayanti
- Best Time for Darshan on 7 November 2026
- Tips for Hanuman Garhi on Festival Days
- How to Celebrate Hanuman Jayanti at Home
- Hanuman Garhi: A Short History
- Ram Mandir Darshan the Same Day
- Hanuman Jayanti, Deepotsav and Diwali: 3-Day Plan
- Getting There on a Festival Day
- FAQ: Hanuman Jayanti 2026 at Hanuman Garhi
Hanuman Jayanti 2026 at Hanuman Garhi: At a Glance
| Detail | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hanuman Janmotsav at Hanuman Garhi | Saturday, 7 November 2026 |
| Tithi | Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdashi) |
| Chaturdashi begins | 10:47 AM, 7 November |
| Chaturdashi ends | 11:27 AM, 8 November |
| Same day in Ayodhya | Deepotsav (evening of 7 November) |
| Next day | Diwali, Sunday 8 November |
| The other Hanuman Jayanti | Chaitra Purnima: 2 April 2026 (already passed); next on 20 April 2027 |
| Temple | Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya: 76 steps, Bal Hanuman in Mata Anjani's lap |
Why Is Hanuman Jayanti Celebrated Twice?
This is the most common question, and the honest answer is that both dates come from tradition. The Valmiki Ramayan names Hanuman ji's parents and tells his story, but it does not give a birth tithi. Different regions follow different temple customs:
| Tradition | Date | Where it's followed |
|---|---|---|
| Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi | 7 November 2026 | Hanuman Garhi (Ayodhya), Gujarat and many other places |
| Chaitra Purnima | 20 April 2027 | Most of North India, Maharashtra |
| Margashirsha Shukla Trayodashi (Hanuman Vratam) | December (local calendar) | Karnataka |
| Margazhi (Dhanu) month | December–January (local calendar) | Tamil Nadu, Kerala |
| Vaishakha Bahula Dashami | May | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
A popular explanation in North India is that Kartik Chaturdashi is Hanuman ji's birthday, while Chaitra Purnima marks his "vijay", the day the infant Hanuman leapt towards the sun thinking it was a fruit. Another belief links the Kartik date to Mata Sita blessing Hanuman ji with immortality. Whichever you follow, in Ayodhya you'll find Hanuman Garhi celebrating both.
What Happens at Hanuman Garhi on Hanuman Jayanti
- Early morning: the doors open to a long queue. Devotees bathe in the Saryu and walk up the 76 steps for darshan of Bal Hanuman in Mata Anjani's lap.
- Through the day: continuous Hanuman Chalisa, Sundarkand path and bhajans in the temple and in the surrounding akharas and maths.
- Shringar: Hanuman ji is offered a fresh chola of sindoor and special shringar for the janmotsav.
- Bhog and prasad: besan laddoo, the prasad Hanuman Garhi is famous for, along with fruits and sweets offered by devotees.
- Evening and night: the janmotsav aarti and celebrations continue into the night, while Deepotsav lights up the ghats below. Exact aarti times are set by the temple each year.
The temple is managed by the Bairagi mahants of the Ramanandi sampradaya and the Nirvani Akhara, and its rituals follow their own tradition. For anything time-specific on the day, ask at the temple.
Best Time for Darshan on 7 November 2026
Here's the practical problem: Hanuman Jayanti and Deepotsav fall on the same day. From the afternoon of 7 November, Ayodhya's roads fill up, vehicles are restricted, and the area between Hanuman Garhi and Ram Ki Paidi becomes very crowded.
| Time | What to expect | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Before 7 AM, 7 Nov | Long but moving queue; cool and calm | The best slot. Go straight after Saryu snan |
| 7 AM – 12 PM, 7 Nov | Very crowded; slow queue | Fine if you're fit and patient |
| 12 PM – night, 7 Nov | The heaviest crowds of the day, plus Deepotsav traffic | Avoid with elders and small children |
| Early morning, 8 Nov | Chaturdashi still running until 11:27 AM; somewhat calmer | A good backup option |
Normal darshan and aarti timings, rules and the best routes are in our Hanuman Garhi darshan timing and rules guide. Festival days can bring changes, so follow the instructions of the temple and police.
Tips for Hanuman Garhi on Festival Days
- The 76 steps: they're steep and packed on festival days. Elders who find stairs hard can stay at the bottom while the family goes up. There is no lift.
- Shoes: leave them at your hotel or at a shoe stand before the stairs. Slip-ons save time.
- Phones: phones are generally allowed at Hanuman Garhi, unlike Ram Mandir, but keep yours in a zipped pocket in the crowd. Watch out for monkeys around the temple, and keep glasses and prasad bags close.
- Prasad: buy besan laddoo from the shops on the approach road. Check the weight and the price before you pay.
- Children: agree on a meeting point in advance and write your phone number in their pocket.
- Touts: nobody can sell you "VIP darshan" at Hanuman Garhi or Ram Mandir. See Ram Mandir VIP darshan: real or fake.
How to Celebrate Hanuman Jayanti at Home
- Bathe early and take a sankalp for the day's puja or fast.
- Place a picture of Hanuman ji, ideally with Shri Ram, on a red cloth.
- Offer sindoor mixed with jasmine oil (chameli tel), red flowers, a garland, and a ghee or jasmine-oil diya.
- Offer bhog of besan laddoo, boondi, jaggery-chana or bananas.
- Read the Hanuman Chalisa (many families read it 11 times), Bajrang Baan or the Sundarkand.
- Finish with the aarti "Aarti kije Hanuman Lala ki" and share the prasad.
Since this is also Choti Diwali, many homes light a diya for Hanuman ji in the evening along with the Diwali lamps.
Hanuman Garhi: A Short History
Hanuman Garhi stands on a mound near Ram Janmabhoomi. Tradition says that after Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya, Hanuman ji lived here to guard Ramkot, which is why the place is called Hanuman Garhi, "Hanuman's fort". The temple is built like a four-sided fort with round bastions at the corners. The main shrine has a small idol of Bal Hanuman seated in Mata Anjani's lap, and verses of the Hanuman Chalisa are inscribed on the walls.
The present temple took shape in the Nawabi period. In 1855 the Nawab of Awadh granted land revenue for it. It is managed by the Ramanandi Bairagis of the Nirvani Akhara.
There is an old custom in Ayodhya: take Hanuman ji's permission before Ram Lalla's darshan. So most pilgrims visit Hanuman Garhi first and then go on to Ram Mandir.
Ram Mandir Darshan the Same Day
If you want both darshans on 7 November, do Hanuman Garhi at dawn and Ram Mandir straight after, before 10 AM.
- Book the free Sugam Darshan pass on online.srjbtkshetra.org. See how to book the pass.
- Check the Ram Mandir darshan timing. Festival-day notices are on the Trust website srjbtkshetra.org.
- Phones are not allowed inside Ram Mandir, so use the free locker.
- With elders? The Trust gives free wheelchairs at Ram Mandir. See the wheelchair facility guide.
Hanuman Jayanti, Deepotsav and Diwali: 3-Day Plan
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 6 Nov (Dhanteras) | Arrive; check in near Ram Path; evening Dhanteras puja. See the Dhanteras 2026 muhurat |
| 7 Nov (Hanuman Jayanti + Deepotsav) | Saryu snan at 5 AM; Hanuman Garhi at dawn; Ram Mandir by 10 AM; rest; Deepotsav in the evening. See the Deepotsav 2026 guide |
| 8 Nov (Diwali) | Morning darshan at Kanak Bhawan; Lakshmi puja in the evening; the lit-up city at night |
The whole festival month, with its snan and parikrama dates, is in our Kartik Maas 2026 guide. Hotels for these nights fill up weeks in advance. See hotels near Ram Mandir.
Getting There on a Festival Day
- Cars are stopped well away from the temples on Deepotsav day. Check the car drop point guide and the parking guide, or use an e-rickshaw for the last stretch.
- By air or train: see airport and station pickup, and book festival trains early on IRCTC.
- From Varanasi or Lucknow: leave the night before or very early, as traffic into Ayodhya builds through the day. See the Varanasi to Ayodhya route.
Plan Your Visit With Us
We arrange early-morning drops near Hanuman Garhi, cabs, hotels near Ram Path and help with the free darshan pass for the whole Diwali week. We never sell darshan passes. See our Ram Mandir tour package and Ayodhya cab service.
FAQ: Hanuman Jayanti 2026 at Hanuman Garhi
When is Hanuman Jayanti 2026 at Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya?
Hanuman Garhi celebrates Hanuman Janmotsav on Saturday, 7 November 2026, on Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali). Chaturdashi runs from 10:47 AM on 7 November to 11:27 AM on 8 November.
Ayodhya me Hanuman Jayanti kab manayi jati hai?
Ayodhya ki Hanuman Garhi me Hanuman ji ka janmotsav Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi, yaani Choti Diwali ko manaya jata hai. 2026 me yeh 7 November, Shanivar ko hai, aur usi shaam Deepotsav bhi hai.
Why is Hanuman Jayanti celebrated twice a year?
Scripture gives no single birth date, so regions follow different temple traditions. Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi is followed at Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya and in Gujarat, while most of North India follows Chaitra Purnima. A popular belief is that one marks his birth and the other his victory.
When is the Chaitra Hanuman Jayanti?
Chaitra Purnima Hanuman Jayanti was on 2 April 2026. The next one is on Tuesday, 20 April 2027.
What is the best time for Hanuman Garhi darshan on Hanuman Jayanti?
Before 7 AM on 7 November is best. Crowds and Deepotsav traffic grow through the day. The morning of 8 November, before Chaturdashi ends at 11:27 AM, is a good backup.
How many steps are there at Hanuman Garhi?
There are 76 steps up to the main temple at Hanuman Garhi. There is no lift. Elders who find stairs difficult can wait at the bottom while the family goes up.
Is mobile phone allowed at Hanuman Garhi?
Phones are generally allowed at Hanuman Garhi, unlike Ram Mandir, but keep them in a zipped pocket in the crowd and avoid photos near the sanctum. Follow any signs on the day.
What prasad is famous at Hanuman Garhi?
Besan laddoo is the famous prasad of Hanuman Garhi. You can buy it from the shops along the approach road. Check the weight and price before paying.
Is Hanuman Jayanti on the same day as Deepotsav in 2026?
Yes. In 2026 Hanuman Janmotsav at Hanuman Garhi and Ayodhya Deepotsav are both on Saturday, 7 November, so expect very heavy crowds and vehicle restrictions.
Why do people visit Hanuman Garhi before Ram Mandir?
It is an old Ayodhya custom to take Hanuman ji's permission before Ram Lalla's darshan, since Hanuman ji is believed to guard Ramkot from Hanuman Garhi.
Which idol is worshipped at Hanuman Garhi?
The main idol at Hanuman Garhi shows Bal Hanuman, the child form of Hanuman ji, seated in the lap of Mata Anjani.
Hanuman Jayanti par kya bhog lagayein?
Hanuman ji ko besan ke laddoo, boondi, gud-chana aur kele ka bhog lagaya jata hai. Saath me sindoor aur chameli ka tel chadhaya jata hai, aur Hanuman Chalisa ka paath kiya jata hai.
Coming to Ayodhya for Hanuman Jayanti and Deepotsav? Tell us your dates and group size, and we'll plan your cab, hotel and darshan timing. Send an enquiry and we'll reply on WhatsApp.
