Festival guide
Rama Navami
Rama Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra, at the close of Chaitra Navratri. Because Rama is said to have been born at noon, the main worship takes place at midday.
Rama Navami dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday 26 March | Chaitra Shukla Navami 26 Mar, 11:49 → 27 Mar, 10:07 |
| 2027 | Thursday 15 April | Chaitra Shukla Navami 14 Apr, 15:24 → 15 Apr, 13:21 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi at midday.
Also known as: Ram Navami.
Story and significance
According to the Ramayana, King Dasharatha of Ayodhya performed a sacrifice for sons, and Rama — the seventh avatar of Vishnu — was born to Queen Kaushalya when the Sun was exalted and the Moon was in Punarvasu.
How Rama Navami is celebrated
- Fasting and midday puja (madhyahna) to the infant Rama
- Reading or reciting the Ramayana or Ramcharitmanas
- Processions (shobha yatras) and celebrations in Ayodhya
- Panakam (a jaggery drink) and kosambari in South India
- Chanting “Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram”
Recite on Rama Navami: Shri Ramachandra Kripalu Bhaju Man
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Rama Navami 2026?
Rama Navami 2026 falls on Thursday, 26 March 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Rama Navami 2027?
Rama Navami 2027 falls on Thursday, 15 April 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Rama Navami change every year?
Rama Navami is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Shukla Paksha tithi 9 of Chaitra (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Rama Navami fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.