Hindu tradition has carried the stories of Lord Hanuman through millennia — in scripture, in regional devotional texts, in temple practice, and in the living oral traditions of families and communities. This page collects the principal traditional and folk narratives available on this site.
These stories come from different sources: some are drawn from the Ramayana or Mahabharata (scriptural), some from the Puranas (traditional), and others from regional folk traditions passed down outside formal scripture. Where the distinction matters, each individual story page identifies the source type.
Childhood & Origins
- The Birth of Hanuman (Vayuputra) — Anjana’s curse, Keshari’s household, Vayu’s blessing, and Hanuman’s divine origins. Includes regional traditions on birth dates.
- Anjana Devi — The Mother of Hanuman — the story of the celestial apsara whose penance and devotion brought Hanuman into the world.
- Bal Hanuman — Childhood Stories — swallowing the sun, Indra’s thunderbolt, the sages’ curse, and Suryadev as Hanuman’s guru.
Ramayana Narratives
- Hanuman and Sugriv — why the mighty Hanuman chose to serve Sugriv rather than rule himself. The story of the Sun god as Hanuman’s guru and the guru dakshina that bound him to Sugriv.
- Makardhwaj — Son of Hanuman — the story of Ahiravana, Patal, and how the celibate Hanuman came to have a son. With a list of temples dedicated to Makardhwaj.
Stories and Traditions
- Sindoor and Hanuman — why sindoor is Hanuman’s most beloved offering. The story of Hanuman covering his body in sindoor out of devotion for Ram.
- Hanuman and Shani Dev — how Hanuman freed Saturn from Ravana’s dungeon, and the vow Shani Dev made in gratitude.
Hanuman in the Mahabharata
- Hanuman in the Mahabharata — Hanuman’s meeting with Bhima in the forest, and his presence on Arjuna’s chariot flag at Kurukshetra. Stories of Hanuman as the eternal chiranjeevi.
See Also
- Hanuman Chalisa
- Sundar Kand — Hanuman’s chapter in the Ramayana