Who Was Goswami Tulsidas?
Goswami Tulsidas was one of the greatest saint-poets of India, a supreme devotee of Lord Rama. He wrote the Ramcharitmanas - the Awadhi retelling of the Ramayana that became the heart of Ram bhakti across North India - and the beloved Hanuman Chalisa, recited daily in millions of homes.
His Jayanti marks his birth anniversary and is observed by reading the Ramcharitmanas, singing Ram bhajans and honouring Hanuman, whom Tulsidas worshipped throughout his life.
Tulsidas Jayanti 2026 - Date
📅 Tithi: Shravan, Shukla Paksha Saptami 🗓️ Date: Mid-to-late August 2026
Tulsidas Jayanti falls on the seventh day of the bright fortnight of Shravan. The exact date shifts with the tithi each year, so confirm it in your local panchang.
His Inspiring Life Story
Tradition tells that Tulsidas was born in great difficulty and was separated from his parents as a child. He was raised and guided by a saint, and his heart turned wholly to Lord Rama.
It is said that his deep attachment to his wife once led her to gently rebuke him - if he loved Rama even half as much, he would have found God. Those words pierced his heart. He renounced worldly life, became a wandering devotee, and travelled to holy places, finally settling in Kashi (Varanasi).
There, inspired by Hanuman and blessed with a vision of Lord Rama, he composed the Ramcharitmanas in the people's language so that everyone, not only scholars, could taste Ram katha. His life teaches that a single moment of true awakening can turn an ordinary person toward the divine.
How to Observe Tulsidas Jayanti
- Read the Ramcharitmanas: Recite a chapter (kand) or doha, or do a Sundarkand path - especially loved on this day.
- Chant the Hanuman Chalisa: Tulsidas's own composition; reciting it honours both Hanuman and the poet.
- Sing Ram bhajans and remember Sita-Ram with a simple puja, tulsi and a ghee lamp.
- Donate books or food: Giving spiritual texts or feeding the needy is considered especially meritorious.
- Visit a Ram or Hanuman temple and offer prayers for devotion and steadiness of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Tulsidas Jayanti in 2026?+
Tulsidas Jayanti 2026 falls on Shravan Shukla Paksha Saptami, in mid-to-late August. Confirm the exact date in your local panchang as the tithi timing varies by region.
What did Tulsidas write?+
Tulsidas wrote the Ramcharitmanas (the Awadhi Ramayana), the Hanuman Chalisa, Vinaya Patrika, Kavitavali and other devotional works. The Ramcharitmanas and Hanuman Chalisa are his most widely recited.
Why is Hanuman special on Tulsidas Jayanti?+
Tulsidas was a lifelong devotee of Hanuman and, by tradition, received Hanuman's grace and the vision of Lord Rama through him. Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa on this day honours that bond.
Which path is best read on Tulsidas Jayanti?+
Sundarkand and the Hanuman Chalisa are especially loved on this day. If time allows, reading any kand of the Ramcharitmanas with devotion is highly auspicious.
About the author
Acharya Vinaya Kapoor · M.A. Sanskrit, Mantra & Stotra Studies
Acharya Vinaya holds an M.A. in Sanskrit from Banaras Hindu University and writes the mantra and stotra commentary on Vandnaa. Her focus is on accurate pronunciation, traditional context, and helping modern readers connect with classical texts.
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