Sant Ramanand

Swami Ramanand was a visionary pioneer of the Indian Bhakti renaissance, famously celebrated in tradition by the adage: "Bhakti dravidi upaji laye Ramananda" (Devotion originated in the southern Dravidian lands, and was brought to the north by Ramanand). Establishing his seat at Kashi, he threw open the doors of spiritual realization to seekers of all backgrounds, counting among his direct disciples such varied masters as Kabir, Ravidas, and Sena.

Within the devotional liturgies of North India, Sant Ramanand is celebrated as the composer of the most iconic evening prayer dedicated to Lord Hanuman: "Aarti Kije Hanuman Lala Ki, Dusht Dalan Raghunath Kala Ki".

The hymn captures the martial glory, compassionate protection, and loving service of Hanuman, and remains the primary universal aarti sung across temples from Ayodhya and Varanasi to millions of diaspora households worldwide.