NYC: Home in The Heart Weekend 2026 – Hanuman Chalisas with Nina Rao

A group Hanuman Chalisa chanting gathering in New York City, led by Nina Rao at St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church on West 86th Street. It is a morning of devotional chanting in the Bhakti tradition, open to anyone drawn to kirtan, meditation and sacred sound, whether you chant regularly or are simply curious. It is offered by donation, and all proceeds support Saving Wild Tigers and the preservation of wild habitat in India.

The gathering is part of the Home in The Heart Weekend, a series of four separate events in New York that also includes evening kirtans and an afternoon workshop with Krishna Das. This session is the Saturday morning chanting.

What to Expect

The Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional hymn to Hanuman, chanted in the call-and-response spirit of kirtan. The session runs from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, a little over an hour and a half set aside for chanting together in the church.

Doors open at 10:30 AM, and will call begins at 10:00 AM, so there is time to arrive, find a seat and settle before the chanting begins.

About Nina Rao

Nina Rao was born into a family rooted in the traditions of Indian spirituality and music. She grew up in a household filled with devotional music, and her early life blended Western and Eastern influences as she found her way as an Indian-American. That background shaped her voice as an artist.

Her work centers on chanting and the exploration of sacred sound. She has released several albums that reflect her devotion to kirtan, the call-and-response chanting at the heart of the Bhakti tradition.

The Place

The gathering takes place at St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 263 West 86th Street, on Manhattan's Upper West Side in New York, NY.

Before You Go

This is a free event: there is no charge to attend, and you may give a donation of any amount. Donations go to Saving Wild Tigers. Advance registration is available until 11:59 PM the night before the event.

Because the weekend's other events are ticketed separately, check that you have chosen the Saturday morning Hanuman Chalisas session. A bundle option exists for those who want to attend every event of the weekend.