Lord Hanuman: Life, Story and Significance

Last updated: 10 October 2026

Hanuman, also called Anjaneya, Maruti and Bajrangbali, is one of the most loved figures in Hindu tradition: a mighty vanara hero, a wise messenger and the perfect devotee of Lord Ram. This guide brings together his life and every important detail in one place.

Read the Hanuman Chalisa Illustrated version

Also known as: Anjaneya, Maruti, Pavan-putra, Kesari-nandan, Bajrangbali, Mahavir, Sankat Mochan
Parents: Anjana (Anjani) and Kesari; Vayu, the wind-god, is his spiritual father
Devoted to: Lord Ram and Mata Sita
Best-known deeds: Found Sita in Lanka, burned Lanka, carried the Sanjeevani mountain
Main sources: Valmiki Ramayana, Ramcharitmanas, Mahabharata, Puranas
Emblems: Gada (mace), the Sanjeevani mountain, saffron flag, sindoor
Tradition: A chiranjivi, one of the immortals
Special days: Tuesday, Saturday and Hanuman Jayanti
Best-known hymn: The Hanuman Chalisa

Hanuman's life at a glance

Birth and childhood: born to Anjana and Kesari, blessed by Vayu; leaps at the sun; receives boons from the gods.
Education: studies the scriptures and grammar under Surya, the sun-god.
Meeting Ram: recognises Ram and Lakshman on Rishyamukha mountain and unites Ram with Sugriva.
The search for Sita: leaps across the ocean, finds Sita in Ashoka Vatika and delivers Ram's ring.
The burning of Lanka: is captured, has his tail set on fire and burns Lanka.
The war: fights Ravana's warriors and carries the Sanjeevani mountain to revive Lakshman.
Return to Ayodhya: Ram's coronation; Hanuman asks only for unbroken devotion.
The Mahabharata: meets his brother Bhima and is said to dwell on Arjuna's flag.
Today: as a chiranjivi, he is believed to be present wherever Ram's story is sung.

Explore everything about Hanuman ji

Birth and childhood: Parents, the sun story, boons and education
Hanuman and Ram: The full Ramayana story: Sita, Lanka, Sanjeevani and the war
In the Mahabharata: Bhima, Arjuna, and Hanuman as a chiranjivi
Names and meanings: Anjaneya, Maruti, Bajrangbali and more, explained
Powers and forms: Siddhis, sizes, Panchmukhi and how he is pictured
Worship and temples: How to worship, offerings, texts and famous temples
Hanuman Jayanti: When his birth is celebrated and how
Lessons from Hanuman: What his life teaches about devotion, humility and courage
Questions and answers: 20+ frequently asked questions

Why Hanuman is revered

Hanuman is remembered for unmatched strength that is always used in service and never for pride. He is fearless in battle, gentle in speech and humble before Ram. In the Ramayana Ram himself praises his careful, clear and respectful way of speaking. For millions of devotees he is the remover of fear and trouble (Sankat Mochan) and the model of selfless devotion (bhakti).

Hanuman and the Hanuman Chalisa

The forty verses of the Hanuman Chalisa retell many of these events in devotional form: his tiny form before Sita and his fierce form that burned Lanka, the Sanjeevani herb, the leap over the ocean and the swallowing of the sun. Read the meaning of each verse to see how the hymn ties to the Ramayana story.

A note on sources: the story of Hanuman is told in the Valmiki Ramayana (Sanskrit), Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas (Awadhi), the Mahabharata, the Puranas and many regional retellings. The accounts agree on the main events but differ in details, so this guide says so wherever traditions differ.