About Ram Navami

राम नवमी

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Happy Ram Navami
राम नवमी की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं

130 wishes · 2 languages · 3 photo designs · Updated October 2026

About Ram Navami

Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the hero of the Ramayana, born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya in Ayodhya. It falls on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra, in March or April, and ends the nine days of Chaitra Navratri.

Rama is honoured as Maryada Purushottam, the ideal person who kept his word, respected his parents and ruled with justice. Devotees read the Ramayana, sing bhajans and celebrate his birth at noon, the hour he is believed to have been born.

Temples hold processions with decorated chariots, families rock a small cradle for baby Rama, and many fast until noon. In the south, panakam (a jaggery drink), neer mor (spiced buttermilk) and kosambari are shared, and Bhadrachalam holds the wedding of Sita and Rama.

Ram Navami is celebrated across India and Nepal, with the largest gatherings in Ayodhya, and by Hindu communities around the world.

Chaitra Shukla Navami
March or April
Birth celebrated at noon
Ayodhya, Bhadrachalam, Sitamarhi

Where it began

Legend says King Dasharatha of Ayodhya had no children, so he held a great fire ritual. His three queens were blessed, and Kausalya gave birth to Rama at noon on the ninth day of Chaitra. Rama's brothers Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna were born soon after.

Rama is loved as the ideal son, brother, husband and king, and his story is told in the Ramayana of Valmiki and in many later versions, like the Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas and the Kamba Ramayanam in Tamil.

The festival ends Chaitra Navratri in many homes, and Hindus mark it with fasting, devotion and charity.

A large crowd fills a city street around a decorated float in a Ram Navami procession — A Ram Navami procession winding through the cityIndia

How it grew over time

Ancient times
Valmiki's Ramayana tells Rama's birth and life, and his birthday becomes a holy day.
1100s to 1500s
Ramayana versions in Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and other languages spread Rama's story across India.
1500s
Tulsidas writes the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi, still read aloud in homes and temples.
1600s
Bhadrachalam temple in Telangana begins its famous Sita Rama Kalyanam on Ram Navami.
Today
Ayodhya draws large crowds of pilgrims, and Rama's story is read in homes worldwide.

How it is celebrated in different places

Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Pilgrims bathe in the Sarayu and visit temples at noon, the hour of Rama's birth.
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Sita Rama Kalyanam, the divine wedding, is held at Bhadrachalam and in many towns.
Tamil Nadu
Homes offer panakam, a jaggery drink, and neer mor, spiced buttermilk, to visitors.
Bihar and Nepal
Sitamarhi and Janakpur, linked with Sita, hold fairs and prayers.
Trinidad, Guyana and Mauritius
Families of Indian descent hold Ramayana readings and temple gatherings.

Ram Navami moments

An old painting of a blue-skinned Vishnu with a halo appearing beside a fire ritual — A page from an old illustrated Ramayana of the Ayodhya book

An old coloured engraving of temples and ghats beside a wide river with a boat — Ayodhya on the river, in an old engravingAyodhya, Uttar Pradesh

An old painting of Bharata and Shatrughna leaving Ayodhya with a party of horses and riders — Bharata and Shatrughna set out to find Rama, from an old Ramayana painting

Ram Navami today

Devotees fast, decorate a small cradle for baby Rama, sing bhajans and read the Ramayana. At noon the aarti is done, and sweets, panakam and food are shared with neighbours.