Ram Navami 2023: Date, Significance, Story and Rituals of the Hindu Festival

Ram Navami is a Hindu festival observed by people across the country to commemorate the birth of Lord Ram to King Dasaratha and Queen Kausalya of Ayodhya in the Treta Yuga. The seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu is Lord Ram, the incarnation that Lord Vishnu took on Earth to end the riotous reign of King Ravana.

Rama Navami 2024 is on April 17 Wednesday

When is Ram Navami Festival Celebrated?

The festival of Ram Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month of Chaitra, following Chaitra Navaratri and Durga Ashtami. Every year, Ram Navami falls around March-April in the Gregorian Calendar. This year, Ram Navami festival falls on March 30th, 2023.

The History of Ram Navami: The Birth of Lord Ram

As the legend goes, King Dasaratha of Ayodhya was a glorious and righteous king but without an heir to the throne. This left him distraught, and hence, he decided to perform a sacrificial ritual under the guidance of learned brahmins to bear a son. The King himself invited sages and pandits from within and beyond his kingdom, and he went himself to invite the esteemed presence of sage Rishyasringa for the fruitful completion of the rituals to achieve what he desired. King Dasaratha decreed to adopt measures, erected sacrificial pavilions, and assembled things that were requisite to perform the ritual of Ashvamedha (or horse sacrifice), strictly in accordance with scriptural injunctions so as to beget sons.

Following the successful completion of Ashvamedha, Sage Rishyasringa offered to perform the ‘Putreshti Yagna’ as presented in the Atharva Veda, that was certain to bear the king a son. The sages and brahmins promised the King “four illustrious sons of limitless valor.” During the Putreshti Yagna, as the celestial beings, gandharvas, siddhas and sages assembled to get their share of the offerings, they approached Lord Vishnu with a concern. They approached Lord Vishnu with a request to incarnate himself on Earth and to take birth as a man to bring the unruly and destructive reign of King Ravana to an end. As pleased and willing as he was, the lotus-eyed Lord Vishnu resolved to take form as one of the four sons of King Dasaratha- he was born as Ram, son to King Dasaratha and Queen Kausalya.

It is said that Lord Ram was born to save the people of Ayodhya from evil, and to ensure that peace and prosperity prevails over his kingdom. This day is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Swaminarayan, a saint who is considered an avatar of Narayana. He was born in the village of Chhapaiya in Uttar Pradesh.

Rituals of Ram Navami, Puja Muhurat, and Panchang

1. Devotees of Lord Rama observe a staunch fast on this day.
2. The holy text of Ramayana is recited at different temples during the entire day of Ram Navami.
3. Images of the deity are worshipped with enchanting of hymns and mantras; devotees offer flowers and sweets to the Lord and 'Akhand path' is continued throughout the day.
4. A big fair is arranged at Ayodhya every year on the occasion of the birth anniversary of their beloved king.
5. In some states of India, this is a part of a nine day long festival.
6. Processions of 'shobha yatras' of the idols of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman along with Hanuman are organized across the streets of Ayodhya.
7. The sacred chant of 'Om Sri Ram' is recited many times throughout the day.
8. Havan or a sacred bonfire is arranged on the day of Ram Navami.
9. Temples and other religious places are decorated with lights and the idols of Lord Rama are adorned with the best of clothes and jewellery.
10. In many places, this day is also observed as the marriage anniversary of Lord Rama and Mother Sita.
11. In Southern India, Kalyanotsavam is organized on the day of Ram Navami. On this day, a ceremonial wedding is arranged to mark the marriage of Rama and Sita' following this 'panakam' is served to all devotees. This is a sweet drink which is prepared with jaggery.
12. Later, the idols are taken out in processions across the city and people play with colours celebrating the festive spirit of the occasion.
13. Special functions with cultural activities are arranged by organizations to showcase and preach the teachings of Lord Rama.

For the detailed Panchang, Choghadiya, and Shubh Muhurat of Rama Navami, click here.

Important Timings On Rama Navami 2024

FAQs

1) What are the different types of Ramayan?

Predominantly, there are four types of the epic Ramayan:

• The first version is the history or ithihaasa called the Ramayana scripted by Valmiki.
• The second type of the epic is called the Ramacharitramanas (or Ramacharitmanas) written by Goswami Tulsidas
• The third type of the epic, known as the Raghuvamsa was written by Kalidas.
• The fourth type of the mythological text is called the Ramayanam, written by Kambar.

2) What is Vimana?

As described in the mythological Hindu and Sanksrit texts, Vimanas are chariots or flying vehicles that were used by the Gods to travel. The making of these Vimanas are mentioned in the Vaimanika Sastra, the science of Vimana or aeronautics.

3) When was Lord Ram born?

According to the Ramayana, six seasons after the Puthreshti yagna, during the twelfth month, on the ninth day of the Chaithra moon, Lord Ram, who is a Cancer Ascendant, was born in the tithi of shukla paksha navami in the punarvasu nakshatra. During his birth, the Sun, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were in their prime, auspicious position and were exalted. In his ascendant sign of Karka, or Cancer, the Moon and Jupiter were in conjunction. As derived from these calculations from the text, it is reckoned that Lord Ram was born on January 10th, 5114 BC at around 12:30 in the noon.