Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu and the embodiment of dharma (righteousness). Observed on the ninth day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha (March-April), this festival falls during the spring Navratri period and marks the culmination of the nine-day celebration. Lord Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, is revered as the ideal man - Maryada Purushottam - who upheld truth, duty, and honor even in the face of immense personal suffering.
The significance of Ram Navami extends beyond mythology into the cultural fabric of India. The Ramayana, composed by sage Valmiki and later retold by Tulsidas as Ramcharitmanas, has shaped Indian ethics, governance, and family values for millennia. Lord Rama's story of exile, the abduction of Sita by Ravana, the alliance with Hanuman and the Vanara army, and the eventual victory of good over evil continues to inspire millions.
On Ram Navami, temples dedicated to Lord Rama are decorated elaborately. The day begins with special prayers and recitations of the Ramayana. Many temples organize Rama Katha - a continuous narration of the epic. At noon, considered the exact time of Rama's birth, a special aarti is performed, and the idol of baby Rama is placed in a cradle (jhula) and rocked by devotees. Devotees fast, visit temples, and participate in community feasts.
Major celebrations take place at Ayodhya - Lord Rama's birthplace - where a grand procession (Shobha Yatra) with decorated chariots, tableaux depicting scenes from the Ramayana, and cultural performances winds through the city. The newly constructed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has made this celebration even more significant in recent years. Rameswaram, Bhadrachalam, and Sitamarhi also host elaborate festivities.
