Ram Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. It’s observed on the ninth day (Navami) of Chaitra month, which usually falls in March or April—marking the end of the Chaitra Navratri festival.
Ram Navmi is a holy festival of the spring season. It celebrates the birth of Lord Ram, who is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Every year this day comes on the ninth day of Shukla paksha in Chaitra month.
Significance:
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Lord Ram is considered the embodiment of truth, virtue, and dharm.
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His life and ideals, as depicted in the Ramayan, serve as a guide for righteous living.
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The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the importance of sticking to one’s duty.
Lord Ram, the eldest son of King Dasharath and Queen Kausalya, is a symbol of kindness, calmness, and a righteous heart as per Hindu mythology. Hence, he is worshiped as one of the predominant gods, which is why his birthday holds immense importance in devotees’ hearts.
Ayodhya is a place where Lord Vishnu took birth as Lord Ram, and that’s why Ram Navmi is celebrated with utmost enthusiasm and sincerity in this city and surrounding regions. Apart from Ayodhya, Ram Navmi’s celebration can be seen everywhere in India and Nepal, where there is a presence of Lord Ram, his wife Sita, his brother Lakshman and his adherent Hanuman.
Ram Navmi signifies the victory of good over evil. Lord Ram defeated demons for earth’s people and lived his human life in a most pious and ideal way. His name is not only mentioned in Hindu scriptures, but he also has a presence in Buddhist and Jain scriptures. He is a center of Hindu religion in many ways, and that’s why not only India but he has an immense significance in entire Southeast Asia.
Rituals and Celebration:
The celebration of Ram Navmi starts in the early morning. People take a bath by offering Jal to morning sun because Lord Surya is also believed to be the ancestor of Lord Ram’s family. People living in Ayodhya take a dip in the Sarayu river and then start the pujas.
Various pujas and Havans can be observed on this day. Devotees organize and participate in Lord Ram’s kathas based on his various life events. People visit Ram’s temple and offer various Prashad. Moreover, charity work and community feasts also happen on this day.
On this auspicious day, people organize a dramatic representation of Lord Ram’s life called Ramleela, a beautiful play prepared by local artists for remembering Lord Ram’s glory and life lessons. One more highlight of this festival is ‘Rathyatra,’ a magnificent chariot parade for Lord Ram. This involves devotees dressed as Lord Ram, Devi Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman, along with a large number of people walking with this parade dancing and chanting Lord Ram’s mantras.
Ram Navmi is a beautiful holy festival that falls in Chaitra Navratri and has many amazing religious activities and rituals to signify Lord Rama’s importance and recall his contributions.
Ram Navami and Navratri: What’s the Connection?
Navratri Overview:
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Navratri means “nine nights” dedicated to worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga (also called Navdurga).
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There are two major Navratris each year: Chaitra Navratri (spring, March-April) and Sharad Navratri (autumn, September-October).
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Each day is dedicated to a different form of the Divine Mother (like Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati).
Ram Navami – The 9th Day of Chaitra Navratri:
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The ninth day (Navami) of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as Ram Navami, marking the birth of Lord Ram.
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Lord Rama is believed to be born at noon on this day in Ayodhya.
The Spiritual Link:
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While the first 8 days are dedicated to Devi worship, the 9th day is both the culmination of Devi’s blessings and the celebration of Lord Rama’s birth.
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It symbolizes Shakti (Devi) and Maryada Purushottam Ram (Dharm) coming together — power and righteousness united.
In Homes and Temples:
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People perform Kanya Pujan (worship of young girls seen as the goddess).
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Then, they also celebrate the birth of Shri Ram, often with fasting, bhajans, and recitation of the Ramayan.
The day is celebrated with prayers devoted to Lord Ram.
Sameedh family is proud to offer some of those prayers below –
Ram Raksha Stotra
Shree Ram Chandra Krupalu
And how can you celebrate the holy day of Ram Navami without singing praise to his favorite disciple (bhakt) – Hanuman, whom he referred to as brother! Here are some prayers offered to Hanuman:
Hanuman Chalisa
Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtakam