Ram Navami

Birth anniversary of Lord Rama.

Sunday, 6 April 2025Chaitra Shukla NavamiMajor FestivalGazetted Holiday

Pan-India

Significance

Celebrates the birth of the seventh avatar of Vishnu.

The Story

King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, childless despite three queens, performed the sacred Putrakameshti Yagna on the advice of Sage Vasishtha. From the sacrificial fire emerged a divine being carrying a vessel of sacred payasam (kheer). The queens — Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra — partook of the offering, and in time, four sons were born: Rama to Kausalya, Bharata to Kaikeyi, and Lakshmana and Shatrughna to Sumitra.

Rama was born on the ninth day (Navami) of Chaitra Shukla Paksha at noon. The moment of his birth brought unseasonal flowers to bloom, rivers ran clear, and celestial beings showered petals from the heavens. Sage Vasishtha named him Rama — "the one who delights."

Rama grew to become the ideal son, husband, brother, and king — the embodiment of dharma. His life, told in Valmiki's Ramayana, remains the moral compass for millions. Ram Navami celebrates not just a divine birth but the possibility of living a righteous life.

How to Celebrate

  1. Wake before sunrise and bathe, then set up the puja area
  2. Place images of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman on the altar
  3. Perform Shodashopachar Puja — the sixteen-step formal worship
  4. Offer tulsi leaves, lotus flowers, and seasonal fruits
  5. Read or listen to Sundara Kanda or key chapters of the Ramayana
  6. At noon (the birth time), perform the birth celebration with aarti and distribution of panjeeri or prasad
  7. Many temples hold Ram Darbar — ceremonial court with all four brothers

Fasting

Partial Fast

Fast from sunrise until noon puja. Some observe a full-day fast.

Avoid

grains, non-vegetarian food

Allowed

fruits, milk, panjeeri, dry fruits

Across India

North India

Grand processions (Shobha Yatras) with decorated chariots carrying Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman. Ayodhya celebrations are the grandest with the Sarayu river ghat lit with diyas. Ram Leela performances.

South India · Sita Rama Kalyanam

The celestial wedding of Rama and Sita is reenacted in temples. Devotees dress idols in wedding finery and perform the marriage ceremony. Panakam (jaggery drink) and neer mor are distributed.

East India

In Bihar, Ram Navami is celebrated near Sitamarhi (believed birthplace of Sita). In Bengal, Chaitra Navratri culminates on Ram Navami. Special prayers at Ramakrishna temples.

West India

Community Ram Navami processions with music and dance. In Gujarat, community readings of Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas are organized over nine days. In Goa, temple festivals with traditional music.

Other Years

20252026

Know the exact muhurat

KAAL shows precise puja timings, Rahu Kalam, and auspicious windows for your location.

Download KAAL