Worship the whole darbar
Shri Ram is rarely worshipped alone. The household image is the Ram darbar: Ram and Sita enthroned, Lakshman beside them, and Hanuman kneeling at their feet. So a Ram puja honours the whole family of the Ramayana, and its heart is Ram naam, the name that Tulsidas calls greater than Ram himself.
When to do it
- Daily, morning or evening, especially with a reading from the Ramcharitmanas.
- Ram Navami (Chaitra Shukla Navami), the last day of Chaitra Navratri. Ram's birth is celebrated at midday.
- Vijayadashami and Diwali, his victory and his return to Ayodhya.
- Tuesdays and Saturdays, with Hanuman.
What you will need
- A picture of the Ram darbar
- Gangajal, a lota of water, panchamrit for Ram Navami
- Yellow clothes or a yellow cloth, sandal, kumkum, akshat
- Yellow and red flowers, a garland, and tulsi leaves (Ram is an avatar of Vishnu)
- A ghee lamp, incense, camphor
- Naivedya: kheer, panjiri, fruit; on Ram Navami, panakam or sweetened water is also offered
Step by step
- Prepare. Bathe, wear clean clothes, and sit facing east or north.
- Ganesh first. Offer a flower to Ganesha.
- Sankalpa. With water in your right hand, state your name and prayer, then let the water fall.
- Purify and adorn. Sprinkle Gangajal, apply sandal and kumkum to Ram and Sita, and offer the yellow cloth.
- Flowers and tulsi. Offer flowers to all four, and tulsi leaves to Ram.
- Lamp and incense. Light the lamp and show incense.
- Bhog. Offer kheer or fruit with a tulsi leaf.
- Mantra. Chant the Shri Ram Mantra, or simply "Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram", 108 times.
- Path. Recite the Ram Raksha Stotra, the Ram Chalisa, or a portion of the Ramcharitmanas or Sundarkand.
- Aarti. Sing Aarti Kije Shri Raghuvar Ji Ki; after a Ramayan path, also Aarti Shri Ramayan Ji Ki.
- Hanuman. End by bowing to Hanuman, who is said to be present wherever Ram is remembered.
- Close. Ask forgiveness, bow, and share the prasad.
Ram Navami at midday
On Ram Navami many fast until the midday puja. At noon, the image of baby Ram is bathed with panchamrit, placed in a decorated cradle and rocked, while devotees sing "Bhaye prakat kripala", Tulsidas's hymn of Ram's birth, and the aarti. Readings of the Ramcharitmanas often run through the nine days of Chaitra Navratri and conclude on Ram Navami.
Frequently asked questions
Which mantra is chanted for Shri Ram?
The simplest and most loved is his name: "Ram" or "Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram". See also the Shri Ram Mantra and the Ram Raksha Stotra.
Why is Hanuman included in Ram puja?
Hanuman is Ram's foremost devotee, kneeling at his feet in every Ram darbar. Tradition holds that worship of Ram pleases Hanuman, and the other way round.
What time is the Ram Navami puja?
At midday (madhyahna), the hour of Ram's birth. Check your local panchang for the exact window in your city.
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