Devotional Recitation
Chālīsā & Bhajan
Sung rather than studied, these hymns carry doctrine in metre. Each page presents the original Devanāgarī verse with its Roman transliteration, a Hindi paraphrase and an English translation, so a reader in either language can follow along line by line.
Available recitations
Chālīsā · Hanuman
Hanuman Chalisa
हनुमान चालीसा
Composed by the poet-saint Tulsidas, the Hanuman Chalisa is a 40-verse hymn (plus opening and closing dohas) praising Hanuman's strength, wisdom, and devotion to Rama. It is among the most widely recited Hindu prayers, chanted for courage, protection from fear, and removal of obstacles.
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Chālīsā · Shiva
Shiv Chalisa
शिव चालीसा
A devotional hymn to Lord Shiva recounting his form, his deeds (drinking the poison Halahala, aiding Bhagiratha, testing Rama's devotion) and a plea for protection from hardship. Widely recited on Mondays and during Shravan/Maha Shivaratri.
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Chālīsā · Durga (Shakti / Devi)
Durga Chalisa
दुर्गा चालीसा
A devotional hymn to Goddess Durga narrating her many forms (Annapurna, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kalika, and the ten Mahavidyas) and her victories over the demons Shumbha-Nishumbha and Mahishasura. Widely recited during Navratri and Durga Puja.
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Chālīsā · Ganesh
Ganesh Chalisa
गणेश चालीसा
Narrates Ganesh's birth to Parvati, the incident with Shani's gaze, Vishnu bringing the elephant head, and the wisdom contest with Kartikeya (circling his parents instead of the earth). Recited before starting new ventures and on Ganesh Chaturthi.
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Ārtī · Vishnu
Om Jai Jagdish Hare
ॐ जय जगदीश हरे
One of the most widely sung Hindu aartis, offered to Lord Vishnu (or, in many homes, to whichever deity is being worshipped) at the close of daily puja. Composed circa 1870 CE by Pandit Shraddha Ram Phillauri.
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