Rama Navami 2024 – Know All About Rama Navami Festival

Rama Navami is among the most important Hindu festivals in India. It is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm throughout the country. But the celebrations are grander in the northern region of India, like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, etc. 

It is a spring festival celebrated to honour the birth of Lord Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On the day of the Rama Navami festival, the devotees, apart from conducting special rituals to commemorate the birth of the lord, also pray and praise Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshman and Lord Hanuman as they all hold a special place in Lord Ram's life. 

Rama Navami Festival Date in 2024

The festival is known as Rama Navami in different parts of India. It is observed on the ninth day of Chaitra (as per Hindu Calendar). The festival usually falls between March and April as per the Gregorian calendar. In 2024, Ram Navami falls on the 17th of April. 

History of Rama Navami

Like most festivals celebrated in India, Rama Navami has a mythological connection. It is believed that Lord Rama was in his divine-human form on this day in Ayodhya, a holy town located on the banks of River Sarayu in Uttar Pradesh. 

Another fascinating story about Lord Ram's birth is that some people know that since he is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, he descended from heaven to Ayodhya as a newborn baby on this day. He was born to King Dashrath and his consort, Queen Kausalya. 

How is Rama Navami celebrated?

Rama Navami festival is considered an auspicious day, and the festival holds great spiritual and religious value for the people belonging to the Hindu religion. The festival celebrations start with people visiting the temple or praying to the lord's idle at home. Some people conduct special puja and aarti for the lord. 

People from northern India also hold story-telling and recital sessions where they read the stories from the epic Ramayana. Another common tradition in many parts of the country is that people bathe the idols of Lord Ram, deck them up in ornate clothes and jewellery, and place them in a cradle, along with the idols of Goddess Sita and Lord Lakshman. 

As part of Rama Navami celebrations, the priests organise special bhajan sessions at the temple, and they sing different devotional songs praising the life and acts of the lord. Some people also observe a fast for the day to honour God and seek his blessings. 

Ram Navami festival celebrations would be incomplete without Ramlila, a theatrical portrayal of Lord Rama's war and his subsequent win over the Demon King, Lord Ravan. The play is performed in many parts of the country, usually on an open-air stage, and it has drawn the interest of thousands of devotees.

Best places to visit in India to experience Ram Navami festival celebrations

Although the festival is celebrated with great joy and glee in all parts of India, the celebrations are much grander and bigger in certain parts of India. If you want the best Ram Navami celebrations experience, here are the top 4 places you can visit. 

Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh

As Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama, the town is recognised as one of the most sacred places in India. The city celebrates the festival in a grand way. The preparation for the festival celebrations starts much before the actual festival day. 

The entire city and its temples are decorated with lights and flower garlands. The houses, shops, and every nook and corner are illuminated with the light of the gorgeous diyas, which is a wonderful spectacle. 

The city also hosts a fair, and a grand procession is organised where people march on the street and chant 'Jai Shree Ram.' The celebrations in the city are magnificent, which is only a testament to the local culture and the people’s devotion to Lord Ram. 

Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

A small coastal hamlet in Tamil Nadu, Rameswaram is named after Lord Ram. Therefore, it is one of the best places in the country to witness Rama Navami celebrations. The city is mentioned in the epic Ramayana. From here, Lord Rama and his army marched into Sri Lanka to fight a war against King Ravan. 

On even of Rama Navami, Sri Kothandarama Swamy Temple is beautifully decorated, presenting a sight to behold. On the day of the festival, a wedding ceremony of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita is arranged at the temple, and lakhs of devotees from all over the country come here to witness the event. 

While you are in the town to witness the Ram Navami celebration, you must also visit the Rameswaram Temple, one of India's twelve Jyotirlingas. It also has an association with Lord Ram. As per Hindu mythology, it was at this temple that Lord Ram prayed to Lord Shiva, seeking his blessings and mercy to wash away the sin of killing Ravan, a devout Brahmin and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. 

Bhadrachalam, Telangana

Bhadrachalam is a small Telangana town located on the banks of the Holy River Godavari. The town is home to an ancient Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple that is believed to be built in the 17th century. An otherwise quaint town, it comes alive during the Ram Navami festival. 

The town is also fondly known as Dakshina Ayodhya, and the Ram Navami celebrations are unique here. The people in the town celebrate the festival to mark the wedding anniversary of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita and call the unison of the Gods Sitarama Kalyanam. 

Here, the celebrations last nine days and the last day is accorded with the marriage of the Gods. The Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple is beautifully decorated and illuminated on all nine days. You can feel the air of celebration everywhere as several devotees come to town to visit the temple. 

Sitamarhi, Bihar

Witnessing and participating in Ram Navami festival celebrations is another prime attraction in India. The town is believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita, and the locals in the region celebrate the festival with great zeal. On the festival day, the Goddess is honoured as the patron deity of Sitamarhi. 

People in the city light up their houses with lamps and sing devotional songs about Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Also, small fairs are set up throughout the city, spreading joy and happiness. 

Rama Navami is a beautiful festival celebrating Lord Ram in different ways across the country. You can start planning your next holiday, go to one of these beautiful destinations, and be a part of the grand celebrations! Jai Shree Ram!