On Tuesday, 22 December 2026, Karnataka observes Hanuman Jayanti as Hanumad Vrata, on the Shukla Trayodashi of Margashirsha. Observance dates differ by region: North India keeps Hanuman Jayanti in spring, on Chaitra Purnima, while the Deccan keeps its own winter vrata, with a thread of thirteen knots, a day of fasting, and the worship of the god who never once asked anything for himself.
The date differs by region; the devotion does not. This is the Hanuman Jayanti of Karnataka, and of many homes in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The vrata of thirteen knots
The observance has a distinctive form. On the day, devotees worship Hanuman and tie a sacred thread, traditionally of thirteen knots, sanctified with mantra, around the wrist. Men tie it on the right wrist, women on the left. The thirteen knots hold the day's sankalpa: strength without pride, service without reward, and the steadiness to carry one's mountain when the time comes. The thread is kept for the coming year and replaced on the next Hanumad Vrata.
The fast is kept through the day and broken after the evening puja, or the next morning as family custom directs. Hanuman temples hold special abhisheka and alankara, and the idol is decorated with betel-leaf garlands, the vada malai of Tamil country appearing in many Deccan temples too.
Why a day of strength is a day of service
Every Hanuman festival teaches the same paradox: the strongest being in the Ramayana is also the humblest. He can lift a mountain, and he uses the strength only to find Sita and serve Rama. Hanumad Vrata is kept for strength, courage and protection, especially by those who feel besieged by fear, illness or Saturn's long shadows, but the tradition is clear that the strength given is for service, not display.
That is why wrestlers worship him and students keep his fast before examinations, and why his temples stand guard at village boundaries: the strongest one is posted at the door.
How to observe it at home
- Rise early, bathe, and wear clean clothes; keep a fast as you are able through the day. - Offer Hanuman puja with sindoor, jasmine oil, betel leaves, flowers and vada or boondi as naivedya. - Tie the thirteen-knotted thread with the day's sankalpa, right wrist for men, left for women, as custom holds. - Read the Sundarkand, the Hanuman Chalisa, or the Ashtottara; Sundarkand is the day's own text. - In the evening, break the fast after puja, or keep it until the next morning per family tradition. - If a Hanuman temple is near, attend the abhisheka; the day's darshan is considered especially protective.
Questions devotees ask
Is this the same as Chaitra Hanuman Jayanti? No. Chaitra Purnima (in spring) is the North Indian observance; the Margashirsha Trayodashi vrata is the Deccan's own. Tamil Nadu and Kerala keep yet another date, in Margazhi. All three honour the same Lord.
Who can keep Hanumad Vrata? Anyone. The vrata is open to men and women alike; only the wrist for the thread differs by custom.
At DharmikVibes, our vision is to enable Divine Experiences for every seeker, on every yatra. May Anjaneya grant you his strength, and his humility to carry it.