Ram Navami 2026राम नवमी
Ram Navami 2026 is on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The birth story of Lord Rama, how it closes Chaitra Navratri, the vrat and the madhyahna puja.
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Ram Navami 2026: all the dates
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| Chaitra Navratri begins | Thursday, March 19, 2026 |
| Ram Navami | Thursday, March 26, 2026 |
The story of Ram Navami
Dasharatha of Ayodhya was childless, and performed the putrakameshti yagna; from its fire rose a divine payasam, which his queens shared. To Kaushalya was born Rama, at midday on the Navami of Chaitra, under Punarvasu nakshatra, the seventh avatar of Vishnu come to end Ravana. Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna followed. The kingdom that had waited so long lit itself in joy, and the same city would light itself again the day he returned from exile.
Ram Navami closes the nine nights of Chaitra Navratri: the Mother’s nine nights end in the birth of Maryada Purushottam, the man who held dharma above his own happiness. Temples read the Balkand of the Ramcharitmanas through the morning, and at noon, the hour of the birth, the cradle is rocked and the conch sounds.
How Ram Navami is celebrated
| The vrat | a day fast broken after the midday birth puja; many keep only fruit and milk. |
| Path | the Balkand of the Ramcharitmanas, the Ram Raksha Stotra, and the japa of Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. |
| Madhyahna puja | at noon, the hour of the birth, the infant Rama is bathed, dressed and rocked in a cradle with panjiri and kheer. |
| Shobha yatra | processions with jhankis of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman move through the town in the evening. |
Ayodhya holds the largest celebration with a Sarayu snan and a fair; Sitamarhi and Janakpur keep it for Sita; in the South it is Sri Rama Navami with kalyanotsavam, the ceremonial wedding of Rama and Sita, and panaka and neer mor are shared with everyone who passes.
Frequently asked questions
When is Ram Navami in 2026?
Ram Navami is on Thursday, March 26, 2026. It closes the Chaitra Navratri that began on March 19, 2026.
What time is the Ram Navami puja?
Rama was born at midday, so the puja belongs to the madhyahna window, the middle third of the day by your local sunrise and sunset. Check the daily Panchang for your city.
How is Ram Navami connected to Navratri?
Chaitra Navratri runs nine nights for the Devi and ends on the ninth tithi, which is the birth tithi of Rama. Many keep the full nine day vrat and break it on Ram Navami.
What is offered on Ram Navami?
Panjiri, kheer and fruit, with tulsi; in the South, panaka (jaggery and cardamom water), neer mor (spiced buttermilk) and kosambari are offered and shared.
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Dates are verified against authoritative Panchang sources (Drik Panchang, New Delhi). Traditions vary by family and region; for muhurat and puja vidhi please also consult your family panditji.