How to Read the Hanuman Chalisa
Reading the Chalisa is simpler than it sounds: 43 verses, a steady pace, a sincere attitude. Start with this seven-step method and refine as you go.
Wash your hands, settle into a comfortable seated posture, take a few slow breaths, then read the two opening dohas, the 40 chaupais, and the closing doha aloud at a steady pace. Once daily is the most common practice.
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1 Prepare the space and yourself
You do not need any special equipment, a quiet corner is enough. Washing your hands and face makes the reading feel intentional. Many devotees prefer a clean seat facing east or north.
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2 Settle your posture and breath
Sit with a straight but relaxed spine. Take three gentle, slow breaths before beginning. This is the "mirror-clearing" the very first doha speaks of.
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3 Open with the two dohas
Begin with “Shri Guru charan saroj raj…” and “Buddhiheen tanu jaanike…,” translated, they ask for a pure mind, strength and wisdom.
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4 Read the 40 chaupais in order
Move through chaupais 1 to 40 without skipping. A steady, even pace matters more than speed. Read aloud; the hymn is meant to be spoken.
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5 Close with the final doha
Finish with “Pavan tanay sankat haran…,” the request for Hanuman, with Ram, Lakshman and Sita, to reside in your heart.
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6 Repeat with a sane target
Once daily is the classic baseline. On Tuesdays, Saturdays or special days, devotees often add extra rounds. Start small. Consistency beats intensity.
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7 Let the meaning grow on you
A recitation with understanding is deeper than one without it. Read one meaning each day alongside, and the hymn will gradually change how you feel it.
Once the words are steady, use How to Memorize the Hanuman Chalisa, and check common recitation mistakes.
What usually goes wrong (and how to fix it)
Three problems account for most abandoned first attempts. None of them require a teacher to solve.
- Reading too fast. The hymn rewards a steady, spoken pace. If you are rushing to finish, you are reading it wrong. Slow down until every syllable lands.
- Stopping at unfamiliar sounds. The retroflex consonants (ṭ, ḍ, ṇ, ḷ) and the aspirates (kh, gh, ch, th, dh, ph, bh) trip up every new reader. When one blocks you, check the pronunciation guide, say the sound three times, and continue.
- Treating a missed day as failure. A gap in recitation is not a broken vow. Return the next day at the same time and pick up the count. The habit matters more than any single session.
Reading with meaning vs reading the words
There are two valid modes, and most devotees move between them. In the first, you recite the original words as they are, focusing on sound and presence. In the second, you keep a meaning guide open beside you and pause after each chaupai to understand its sense. Beginners often start with mode one for the first week, then add meaning from the second week onward. Neither mode is more correct; what matters is that you return tomorrow.
108-mala Japa counter
If you recite the names of Hanuman as a japa practice, count your malas here. Tap once per bead; the count is kept on this device.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times should I read the Hanuman Chalisa a day?
There is no fixed rule. Many devotees recite it once a day, especially in the morning. Some do 5, 11, 21, 40 or 108 repetitions on specific days. Start at a number that feels sustainable.
Which day is best for reading the Hanuman Chalisa?
Saturday and Tuesday are traditionally considered auspicious for Hanuman worship, and reading the Chalisa on those days is common practice.
Can beginners read the Hanuman Chalisa in English transliteration?
Yes. The transliteration is a fine way to begin and to learn the correct sounds. As you grow comfortable, matching the Devanagari helps you move closer to the original pronunciation.