Rama Navami, is a Hindu festival, which is celebrated acknowledging the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, in this world. This is considered to be the most important festival for the people who are following Vaishnavism. This day is celebrated on the spring season, along with Navratri. This festival falls on the ninth day of the Hindu month Chaitra and usually falls on the months of March or April, according to the Gregorian calendar. This is considered to be the minor festival of Hinduism and no national holiday has been declared on this day. This festival is celebrated in India as well as Nepal.
Grand celebrations are organised on the cities namely Ayodhya, Sitamarhi, Janakpurdham, Bhadrachalam, Vontimitta, Rameshwaram, etc. Many ratha yatras carrying Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman are also organized at several places.
Rituals and Celebrations of Rama Navami 2018:
On this auspicious day, people worship the idol of Lord Rama or Lord Krishna, by decorating it with garlands and presenting him with his favourite sweets like laddu, butter, etc. Many people listen to Rama Katha Recitals and perform reading of Lord Rama stories. Hindu Vaishnavism followers, visit their nearest Lord Rama or Lord Vishnu temple on this special day. They also listen to stories like Ramayana and Mahabharata, in which Lord Vishnu’s avatar plays a vital role, in bringing world peace.
In important cities like Ayodhya, a ritual is organised where a chariot carrying Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman, is brought into each and every street. This ritual is named as the Shobha Yatra. Including this, people take a dip in the sacred river Sarayu and visit the Rama temple in Ayodhya. Including this celebrations, people also fast during this day and participate in the bhajans organised in temples.
During this festivities, including Lord Rama, the Sun god, Lord Surya, is also worshipped. In Eastern parts of our country, this day is marked as the beginning of the Jagnnath Ratha Yatra, which falls in Summer.
Date, Puja Time and Muhurat of Rama Navami 2018:
Since this festival is celebrated according to the Hindu calendar, the English date tends to change. This year this festival falls in the following days:
- Date: Sunday, March 25, 2018
- Rama Navami Puja Muhrat: 11:14 – 13:38
- Duration: 2 Hours 24 minutes
- Rama Navami Madhyahna Moment: 12:26
- Navami Tithi Begins on: 08:02 on March 25, 2018
Navami Tithi Ends on: 05:54 on March 26, 2018