Overview
The Hanuman Chalisa (Hindi: हनुमान चालीसा) is a Hindu devotional hymn (stotra) composed in praise of Hanuman. Its title means "forty chaupais on Hanuman", referring to the verse form and length of the composition. The hymn is widely recited by Hindus as part of personal and congregational worship.
The text was written by the poet-saint Tulsidas in the Awadhi language. It is regarded as the best known text associated with Tulsidas's larger work, the Ramcharitmanas, and has become one of the most popular devotional poems in the Hindu tradition.
Hanuman, the subject of the hymn, is a Hindu deity and a devotee of the god Rama. He is one of the central characters of the Ramayana. Within the Shaiva tradition, he is also regarded as an incarnation of Shiva. The Hanuman Chalisa extols his qualities, including his strength, courage, wisdom, celibacy (brahmacharya), and unwavering devotion to Rama.
As a stotra, the Hanuman Chalisa is recited both individually and in groups, and forms a familiar part of bhakti practice across many Hindu communities.