Ram Navami

Rama Navami is predominantly a hindu festival that celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Rama. The day is observed on 09th day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra (Hindu calendar). As per the Gregorian calendar, the day usually falls between the months of March and April. Rama Navami in 2020 falls on the 2nd of April (Tentative date).

Rama Katha recitals, taking out a procession dedicated to Lord Rama, offering prayers in temples and at homes are some of the major customs that are followed on this day.

How the celebrations of Ram Navami take place?

Bhajans and kirtans are organized at devotees’ homes or religious sites that are dedicated to Lord Rama. People usually visit temples to seek blessings on this day. In places like Ayodhya, processions are taken out with miniature statues of Rama placed on a cradle.

Most temples organize “Havana”—a ritual concerning fire that aims to mind, body, and soul purification. Priests makes sweets and fruits distribution to the devotees in the form of “prasad”. Generally, devotees observe fasting for the entire day until midnight. The fast is usually broken by consuming sweets and fruits.

Ramlila—a theatrical portrayal of Lord Rama defeating Ravana is performed in many parts of the country. The play is usually performed on an open-air stage.

Though the festival is observed across the country, the major celebrations take place at Ayodhya, Bhadrachalam, Rameswaram, and Sitamarhi. Other than Lord Rama, deities of Sita, Laxman, and Hanuman are also worshipped on this day.