About Ram Navami
Ram Navami falls on Chaitra Shukla Navami, the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra and the last day of Chaitra Navratri. It celebrates the birth of Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya in Ayodhya. Rama is remembered as maryada purushottam, the ideal of right conduct, and his life with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman is among the best loved stories in India.
The story goes that the king, longing for children, held a great yajna, and from it came a sweet offering that he shared among his three queens. Rama was born to Kaushalya, Bharata to Kaikeyi, and Lakshmana and Shatrughna to Sumitra. Rama is believed to have been born at midday, so the main puja is held then.
Across North India, temples and homes hold a continuous recitation of Rama's story in the days before, ending on Navami. At midday, a small image of baby Rama is placed in a decorated cradle, or palna, and gently rocked while devotees sing birth songs and offer flowers, tulsi and sweets. Many keep a fast until the midday puja or through the day, eating fruit and simple food. Ayodhya draws huge crowds, with pilgrims bathing in the Sarayu and visiting Rama temples, and processions with Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman pass through many towns.
In South India the day has its own flavour. Devotees offer panakam, a jaggery drink with pepper and cardamom, and neer mor, spiced buttermilk, and share them with visitors. At Bhadrachalam in Telangana and in many other temples, Sita Rama Kalyanam, the wedding of Sita and Rama, is celebrated on this day.
Ram Navami is kept on the day Navami is present at midday, which is why the midday muhurat shown above matters for the puja. Families fast and pray in the way their tradition follows.
