Saturday, March 24, 2018

Ram Navami and Chaitra Navratri - Sri Rama Navami Festival

Ramnavami or Sri Rama Navami is a popular Hindu Festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama, the epicenter of the Ramayan epic.


Lord Rama is considered the 7th incarnation or Avatar of Vishnu.

Rama Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of the first month of the Hindu Calendar.

The Hindu calendar starts generally in the second half of March when it is the spring season and ends in the first half of next March at the end of winter and fall. 

The first month of this Hindu calendar is called Chaitra Masam (maasam means month).


Hence, the first nine days of Chaitra Masam are celebrated as the Chaitra Navratri, glorifying the birth and marriage of Lord Rama. The 9th day is celebrated as both the birth date and the marriage date also of Rama.

The Hindu lunar year starts from the first day of this Navaratri which is known as Gudi Padwa, Navroj, Navreh, Ugadi, Yugadi, etc. by people of different states in India.

So, Ram Navami is celebrated with great joy every year as it is the beginning of the New Year and also the birth month of Lord Rama. Ram Navami mostly falls during the second half of March or the first week of April.

Rama Navami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama as well as the marriage day of Rama with Sita.

That is why most temples celebrate the wedding ritual of Sita and Rama on this day by performing all the rituals that are done during real marriages.

Rama was born in Ayodhya which is situated on the banks of River Sarayu in Uttar Pradesh.

So, Ayodhya is the center of attraction for tourists and pilgrims during this period. A full nine-day festive occasion with processions of the holy deities takes place. People take bath in the Sarayu River and visit the main temple to have the darshan and obtain the blessings of Lord Rama.

How to Celebrate Ram Navami Festival

Rama Navami is celebrated by worshipping Rama, Sita, and Hanuman who are closely associated with the whole life period of Rama and Ramayana.

People wake up early in the morning and take the full oil bath which is a habit during all festive occasions, wear new clothes or clean clothes. Some special dishes are prepared for offering to God as Naivedyam.

Puja is performed by chanting the stotras of Rama, Sita, and Hanuman. Many worship books are available in simple formats. Hanuman Chalisa can also be recited which tells a very brief story of Ramayan in forty lines. There are 108 names of Rama known as Rama Ashtottara Naama Stotram. You can recite the 108 names of Vishnu also as Vishnu and Rama are the same God. The worship can be done by offering flowers at each name recitation. Thereafter, offer Naivedyam to God. Seek the blessings and take the Prasadam. 


All temples will be holding special prayers on this day both in the morning and in the evening also. Further, cultural programs also take place in the temples. So, you can visit the temples and participate in the special puja and get the blessings of God. Also, enjoy the cultural programs and musical performances.



The people in Andhra Pradesh prepare a special rare dish known as Vadapappu on this day for offering to God along with a sweet drink named Panakam. It is considered that both Rama and Hanuman like these dishes. 

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