Tulsidas was a famous 16th-century Hindu saint, poet, and philosopher. Tulsidas is also known as Goswami Tulsidas. Tulsidas' real name was Rambola Dubey or Tulsiram. He was a devotee of Lord Rama. He made the story of Lord Rama accessible to common people by composing the Ramcharitmanas in the Awadhi language. He was widely considered to be a reincarnation of Sage Valmiki.
Tulsidas Jayanti is celebrated to honor the birth of Goswami Tulsidas. This day remembers his immense contribution to Hindu literature and the Bhakti movement. Devotees recite the Ramcharitmanas and Hanuman Chalisa and organize satsangs, bhajans, and charitable activities on this day.
When is Goswami Tulsidas Jayanti in 2026?
When and Where Was Tulsidas Born?
Goswami Tulsidas was born in Rajapur village in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh, India. His exact birth year is disputed because different traditions say it was 1497, 1511, or 1532 CE. Tulsidas' parents were Atmaram Dubey and Hulsi Devi. His mother Hulsi died just after his birth. Tulsidas died in 1623 at Assi Ghat in Varanasi, India.
Tulsidas's married life
Tulsidas married Ratnavali. He had an intense attachment to his wife. Tulsidas and his wife Ratnavali had a son named Tarak Ram. It is said that his son sadly passed away at a tiny age.
What inspired Tulsidas to become a saint?
Tulsidas loved his wife a lot. He missed her deeply when she went to visit her parents for a few days. He crossed a flooded river on a stormy night. He mistakenly climbed through her room window using a snake, thinking it was a rope. Ratnavali told him that if he loved Lord Rama as much as he loved her physical body, he would be free from worldly sorrow. Her words caused him to leave worldly life and become a devoted saint. He immediately left home to become an ascetic.
What did Tulsidas write and in which language?
Tulsidas is best known for composing the Ramcharitmanas, Vinaya Patrika, Kavitavali, Dohavali, and the Hanuman Chalisa. Tulsidas also wrote several other important poetic works in Awadhi, Braj Bhasha, and Sanskrit. His writings reflect his deep devotion to Lord Rama. According to Hindu tradition, Tulsidas received the divine vision (darshan) of Lord Rama and Hanuman, who inspired him to write the epic Ramcharitmanas and Hanuman Chalisa.
Who was the guru of Tulsidas?
Narharidas was the guru of Tulsidas. Tulsidas received his early spiritual training from Narharidas. After this, he underwent 15 to 16 years of classical education in Varanasi under the scholar Shesha Sanatana.
More Interesting Facts About Tulsidas
It is believed that Tulsidas lived an extraordinarily long life of 111 years. According to traditional biographies, he was born with all 32 teeth fully developed. He also remained in his mother's womb for 12 months before birth. It is traditionally believed that instead of crying after birth, he uttered the name "Rama." The famous Tulsi Ghat on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi is named after Tulsidas. He is also widely believed to have founded the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple.
Tulsidas was a great saint who devoted his life to Lord Rama. He also promoted devotion to Lord Hanuman, human equality, and the chant of the name of the supreme form of God. Tulsidas was the embodiment of the power of pure devotion and love.