Shri Rama Navami 2024: Was Lord Rama Born on this Day?

Shri Rama Navami 2024 will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 17. It is one of the most auspicious Hindu Festival and it is believed that Lord Rama was born on this day in Ayodhya.

Lord Rama is believed to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu who appeared in the Treta Yuga with the purpose of defeating the evil that was prevailing. The festival of Rama Navami marks the birth of Lord Rama.

Rama was the eldest son of Dasharath, the king of Ayodhya, born from his first wife Kaushalaya. According to Hindu calendar, he was born on the ninth day of Chaitra month which generally falls in the month of March or April.

Apart from Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshman and Lord Hanumana are also worshiped on this day. Many people celebrate Rama Navami by observing a fast this day.

Shri Rama Navami Date 2024

Rama Navami festival is celebrated according to the Hindu calendar. According to this calendar, Rama Navami is observed on the ninth day of Chaitra month.

2024 Date	Wednesday April 17
2025 Date	Saturday, April 5
2026 Date	Thursday, March 26
2027 Date	Thursday, April 15

Significance of Sri Rama Navami

Ram Navami or Sri Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama who was the seventh incarnation of the Lord Vishnu.

It is believed that to eliminate evil from the earth, Lord Vishnu takes incarnation in human form and end all the prevailing evil. It is said that there is total of ten incarnation of Lord Vishnu, known as dashavatara.

In south India, people believe that Rama Navami is also the day on which Lord Rama married Goddess Sita and therefore many marriage ceremonies are held on this day.

People of south India observe the festival of Bhadrachalam on this day and celebrate the marriage anniversary of Rama and Sita.

Story behind Lord Rama’s Birth

It is believed that Lord Vishnu took birth in the form of Lord Rama to fight the King Ravana of Lanka who was wreaking havoc on the earth. The story behind Lord Rama’s birth goes as follows:

Dasrath was the king of Ayodhya who lived with his three wives Kaushalaya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra but had no child. One day the king called his priest, Guru Vashishtha and asked him if there is any way by which this sorrow can be eliminated. Vashishtha suggested performing Ashvamedha Yagya and arrangements for the same were made.

Upon successful completion of the Yagya, a vessel appeared from the fire, the contents of which was distributed among the three queens, Sumitra receiving the content twice. Soon, they all were blessed with four sons, Rama being the eldest and born from the womb of Kaushalaya. His younger brothers were Lord Bharata, born to Kaikeyi and twins Lord Lakshmana and Lord Shatrughna born to Sumitra.

The day when Lord Rama was born was the ninth day of Chaitra month.

Celebration

Rama Navami is the ninth day of Chaitra month. The beginning of Chaitra month marks the first day of Chaitra Navratri and thus Rama Navami falls on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri. As per this, many people begin the celebrations from first day of Navratri that concludes with Rama Navami being observed on the ninth day.

On the day of Rama Navami, devotees get up early in the morning, clean and decorate their homes and take a holy bath. Idol of Lord Rama is cleaned and decorated with garlands and new clothes and put in cradle like a new-born baby and He is worshiped by offering fruits and sweets. Prayers are offered and mantras are recited to please Lord Rama and seek His blessings.

Many people observe a fasting on this day and refrain from eating grain. Apart from homes, the festival of Rama Navami is celebrated in temples also with great joy and excitement. Havans are organized and hymns from Ram Charit Manas are recited in temples by the priests. Taking a dip in the Sarayu river is also a famous tradition related to Rama Navami festival.

Major celebrations and festivities can be observed in Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Sitamarhi (Bihar), Bhadrachalam (Andhra Pradesh) and Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) on the day of Rama Navami. At many places, processions are carried out where idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman are carried from their temples and taken to different places to give devotees Their glimpse on the sacred day of Rama Navami.

Other than India, the festival of Rama Navami is also celebrated by Hindus residing in Malaysia, Singapore, Trinidad, Tobago, Jamaica, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, etc.

4 Best Places to Visit in India on this Rama Navami

Here is the list of 4 best places you can visit this Rama Navami:

Sitamarhi Bihar: Sitamarhi is located in the Mithila region of Bihar. It is believed that Goddess Sita was born here. Janaki Mandir in Sitamarhi is the place where Rama Navami is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya is considered as birthplace of Lord Rama. There are various religious ceremonies conducted at Ayodhya on Rama Navami.
Badrachalam Telangana: Bhadrachalam in Telanagana is considered among the Hindu pilgrimage sites. The 17th-century Bhadrachalam temple is situated here which is dedicated to Lord Rama.
Rameswaram Tamil Nadu: Rameswaram is located in Ramanathapuram district of Telangana. The place hosts a number of religious places to visit including the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple.

Sri Ram Navami 2024 Wishes

Wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous Rama Navami.

May God Rama shower you with good health, wealth, happiness, and peace. Happy Rama Navami!

On this auspicious day of Rama Navami, may Lord Ram give you all the happiness and fulfill your good wishes in life.

We wish that blessings of Shri Ram will always with you. Rama Navami ki Hardik Shubkamnayein!

Please accept our warmest greeting on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami.

Happy Ram Navami to you and your family. I pray to God Rama for your good health and happiness.

श्री रामचंद्र कृपालु भजमन
हरण भवभय दारुणम।
नवकंज लोचन, कंज मुख,
कर कंज, पद कंजारुणम।
Ram Navami की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।

Summary

Lord Rama is the 7th avatar of Lord Vishnu, and we celebrate his birthday on this day.

Ramayana recitation, Vrat, Puja, Katha, Havan, Satsang, Bhajan are quite common on the day of Rama Navami.

The festival is also a part of the Chaitra Navaratri. Chaitra is considered as the first month of Hindu calendar.

It is an optional holiday in India for government employees.

People from around the world come to Ayodhya to take a dip in the sacred river Sarayu and visit the Rama temple.

The festival is also celebrated by overseas Indians located in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Mauritius, Jamaica, , Singapore, Malaysia and several other countries.