Ram Navami राम नवमी
Falls on Chaitra Shukla Navami · usually March–April
Ram Navami is celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Navami, usually in March–April. It honours Rama as the ideal of dharma, and his life as told in the Ramayana. The day is spent in devotion, fasting and recitation.
Ram Navami at a glance
| Falls on | Chaitra Shukla Navami |
| Usual month | March–April |
| Category | Vaishnava |
The story behind Ram Navami
Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya in Ayodhya at noon on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri. It is the culmination of the spring nine-nights.
Significance of Ram Navami
It honours Rama as the ideal of dharma, and his life as told in the Ramayana. The day is spent in devotion, fasting and recitation.
How Ram Navami is celebrated
- Fasting until noon, the traditional hour of Rama’s birth
- Recitation and parayan of the Ramayana and Ram Raksha Stotra
- Bhajans, kirtan and jhankis depicting baby Rama
- Temple celebrations, especially grand in Ayodhya
Regional variations
Ayodhya holds the largest celebrations; in South India the day is also marked as the divine wedding (Sitarama Kalyanam) of Rama and Sita, notably at Bhadrachalam.
Festive foods of Ram Navami
Traditional dishes prepared for Ram Navami include panakam (jaggery drink), kosambari, fruit and vrat foods.
Quick tips
- Keep the fast until midday and recite the Ram Raksha Stotra
- Visit a Rama temple or hold bhajans at home
Choosing the muhurat on Ram Navami
Ram Navami falls on Chaitra Shukla Navami. To choose an auspicious time on the day, open the muhurat planner for your city and check the day's choghadiya and the Rahu Kaal to avoid. For the exact date this year, see the panchang calendar, and for weddings or a housewarming near this festival, confirm the muhurat with a qualified pandit.
Hindu festival dates follow the lunar calendar and vary each year; regional traditions can differ by a day. For the exact date this year, confirm with your local panchang or pandit.
Common questions
When is Ram Navami celebrated?
Ram Navami falls on Chaitra Shukla Navami in the Hindu lunar calendar, usually in March–April. The exact Gregorian date changes each year — confirm with your local panchang or the panchang calendar.
Why is Ram Navami celebrated?
Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya in Ayodhya at noon on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri. It is the culmination of the spring nine-nights.
How is Ram Navami observed?
Common observances include Fasting until noon, the traditional hour of Rama’s birth; Recitation and parayan of the Ramayana and Ram Raksha Stotra; Bhajans, kirtan and jhankis depicting baby Rama; Temple celebrations, especially grand in Ayodhya.
How is Ram Navami celebrated in different regions?
Ayodhya holds the largest celebrations; in South India the day is also marked as the divine wedding (Sitarama Kalyanam) of Rama and Sita, notably at Bhadrachalam.
What foods are made for Ram Navami?
Traditional dishes include panakam (jaggery drink), kosambari, fruit and vrat foods.