Hanuman Chalisa 11 times: a Tuesday and Saturday practice

The Hanuman Chalisa is one of the most recited devotional hymns in the Hindi-speaking world. It is attributed to the poet-saint Tulsidas and written in Awadhi. It has forty verses, called chaupais, along with a couple of opening dohas and a closing doha. Many devotees recite it daily; others choose Tuesdays and Saturdays, days commonly associated with Hanuman devotion; and some take up a practice of reciting it 11 times in one sitting.

This guide is for anyone who would like to try that practice calmly and sustainably. It is not about promises of results. It is about a steady habit, a clear mind and respect for the text.

Why Tuesday and Saturday

In many traditions across India, Tuesday (Mangalvar) and Saturday (Shanivar) are considered special for worshipping Hanuman. Families have their own customs, and some temples hold larger gatherings on these days. If those days do not suit you, the most important thing is regularity: a practice you can keep matters more than the day you choose. Follow the custom of your family or guru.

Why 11 times

Reciting something repeatedly is an old form of devotion, and numbers such as 11 and 108 are common in Indian practice. Eleven recitations of the Chalisa is a challenging but doable length. Many people find the repetition steadying: the first few rounds settle the mind, and the later ones become more fluent.

How long will it take? It depends on pace. A comfortable recitation of one Chalisa often takes several minutes, so 11 rounds take roughly an hour. My own recording of 11 recitations runs about 63 minutes. Try it once, time yourself, and plan accordingly.

How to prepare

You do not need elaborate arrangements. A simple set-up is enough:

• A clean, quiet place. A corner of the home, or the temple.
• A picture or idol of Hanuman, and a diya or incense if that is your custom.
• Comfortable seating so that you can sit steadily for the whole duration.
• A text in front of you, in Devanagari, Gujarati or your preferred script, so that you recite accurately. Reading is fine, whether or not you have it memorised.
• A way to count. A mala of 11 beads, a simple tally on paper, or a small bowl of 11 grains moved one by one.
• Phone on silent and nothing else competing for your attention.

Take a bath or at least wash your hands and face if that is your family’s custom, and begin with a short prayer.

A simple routine

1. Sit and settle. A minute of quiet breathing, then a short prayer to begin.
2. Recite once, slowly. The first round sets the pace for everything.
3. Count each round, by mala bead or tally, so that your mind is not busy counting.
4. Keep a steady rhythm. Do not rush to finish. Clear pronunciation matters more than speed.
5. If you lose count, use your best estimate and carry on rather than worry.
6. Close with a short prayer and a moment of silence, then stop for a minute before you get up.

If 11 rounds feel too long, start with 3 or 5 and increase over weeks. A sincere shorter practice is better than a long one that you abandon.

Pronunciation tips

• Learn the verses in small groups of four, then link them together
• Listen to a clear recitation first (my own recitation is on the Pure Perspective channel) and follow along with the text
• Mind the vowel lengths; they change the sound of the word
• If a line is hard, repeat it slowly three times before moving on

Making it a habit

• Same time, same place. Morning or early evening are popular.
• Pair it with something you already do, such as after your bath or before dinner.
• Mark Tuesdays and Saturdays on your calendar or set a gentle reminder. Smart Reminder can repeat weekly and snooze from the notification if you are busy.
• Keep a small log. A tick on the calendar each week is enough.
• Do not turn it into pressure. If you miss a week, return to it next week, without guilt.

My practice

I recorded the Hanuman Chalisa 11 times in one sitting so that people can follow along at an unhurried pace. You can watch it below, and find more on the Pure Perspective channel page.

A few gentle reminders

• This is a devotional practice, not a medical or financial remedy. Please do not treat it as a guaranteed outcome.
• Be kind to yourself. If your mind wanders, simply return to the next verse.
• If you are unwell, tired or pressed for time, a shorter recitation is perfectly fine.
• Respect other people’s practices. Traditions differ, and that variety is part of what makes them rich.

Next step

Choose a day this week, find 15 quiet minutes for one slow recitation, and begin there. When it feels natural, build up to 11. If you like this kind of content, follow Pure Perspective for new chants and temple visits, and join the newsletter for the monthly note.