When it falls
Ram Navami is the Navami (ninth day) of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, usually in March or April. It is the last day of Chaitra Navratri. Rama was born at midday, so the main puja takes place in the madhyahna period, around noon; check the Panchang for the exact muhurat in your city.
The birth of Rama
The Bala Kanda of Valmiki's Ramayana tells how King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, still without an heir, performed the Putrakameshti sacrifice under the sage Rishyashringa. A divine being rose from the fire with a vessel of payasam, which Dasharatha shared among his queens. Kaushalya gave birth to Rama on Chaitra Shukla Navami under the Punarvasu nakshatra; Kaikeyi bore Bharata, and Sumitra bore the twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Rama is worshipped as the seventh avatar of Vishnu and as Maryada Purushottam, the ideal of righteous conduct.
How it is observed
- Fast: many fast until noon or for the whole day, taking fruit and milk, and break it after the midday puja.
- Midday puja: at noon, the moment of Rama's birth, the image of Ram Lalla (the infant Rama) or of Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman is bathed, dressed and placed in a cradle, and conches and bells announce the birth. Follow the Ram puja vidhi.
- Path: many homes and temples complete a recitation of the Ramcharitmanas or the Ramayana, often begun nine days earlier at the start of Navratri; others read the Ram Raksha Stotra or the Ram Chalisa.
- Aarti and bhajan: Aarti Kije Shri Raghuvar Ji Ki, Shri Ramchandra Kripalu and Thumak Chalat Ramchandra.
- Prasad: panchamrit, panjiri and fruit; in the South, panakam (jaggery and pepper water) and kosambari (soaked lentil salad) are distributed.
Ayodhya and the Surya Tilak
Ayodhya draws lakhs of pilgrims on Ram Navami, who bathe in the Saryu and visit the temples. At the Ram Mandir, a system of mirrors and lenses directs a beam of sunlight onto the forehead of Ram Lalla at noon on Ram Navami — the Surya Tilak — recalling that Rama belongs to the Surya (solar) dynasty. Shobha yatras with chariots and tableaux go through towns across north India.
Sitarama Kalyanam in the South
In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Ram Navami is celebrated as the wedding of Rama and Sita — Sitarama Kalyanam — most famously at the temple of Bhadrachalam on the Godavari, where the celestial wedding is performed with great ceremony and pearls (talambralu) are showered on the deities.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Ram Navami celebrated?
To celebrate the birth of Shri Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya in Ayodhya.
At what time was Rama born?
At midday (madhyahna) on Chaitra Shukla Navami. The main puja is done around noon.
Is Ram Navami part of Navratri?
Yes. It is the ninth and last day of Chaitra Navratri.
What is the Surya Tilak at Ayodhya?
At the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, sunlight is directed by mirrors and lenses onto Ram Lalla's forehead at noon on Ram Navami, marking Rama's solar lineage.
How is the Ram Navami fast broken?
After the midday puja and aarti, with prasad such as panchamrit or panjiri. Some fast until evening.
Why is Ram Navami a wedding festival in Bhadrachalam?
Telugu tradition celebrates the day as Sitarama Kalyanam, the wedding of Rama and Sita, and Bhadrachalam temple performs it with great ceremony.
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