Take a bath before puja. Wear clean red or orange clothes if possible, as these are Hanuman's colors. Maintain celibacy and avoid tamasic food on this day.

Sit before the Hanuman idol or image. Hold water in the right palm. State your name, gotra, and the purpose of the vrat – courage, protection, or Mars dosha remedy.

Mix sindoor with jasmine oil and apply it generously on the Hanuman idol. This is the most distinctive offering to Hanuman – He smeared sindoor on his entire body out of devotion to Sita. Offer the sacred thread (janeyu/moli).

Recite the Hanuman Chalisa (40 verses by Tulsidas) with devotion. This is the most popular and powerful prayer to Hanuman. If time permits, recite it 2, 3, or 7 times for greater effect.

Chant the Hanuman Beej Mantra 108 times using a mala. This concentrated mantra invokes Hanuman's protective energy and is especially potent for removing fears and obstacles.

Perform aarti with a ghee lamp. Offer bananas and besan laddoo as naivedya – these are Hanuman's favorite foods. Distribute prasad. Conclude with dandavat pranam (full-body prostration).