Ram Navami Rituals

On the occasion of Ram Navami, all the followers of Lord Rama worship to satisfy him. All the members of the family worship together, in order to observe the auspicious birthday of Lord Rama. The Pooja begins with the installation of the idols or pictures of Lord Rama, Laxmana, Sita, and Hanuman. The youngest female member of the family put tika to all the male members of the family. At the last the prasad is distributed to all the devotees.

Bhajans are also a vital ritual of Ram Navami Pooja. The followers of Lord Rama make the entire atmosphere religious by singing the bhajans and choupais of Ramcharit Manas. A holy priest recites the story of Ran Janama (Lord Rama's birth) to all the devotees who keep fast on this day. Continuous reciting of holy mantras and Ramnam (Ram's name) makes the occasion highly religious as well as spiritual.

The followers of Lord Rama also keep a whole-day fast on the festival of Ram Navami. Many of the devotees go for a fast on satvik food i.e. holy food without salt and other adulterated materials. However, many of them also keep a waterless fast (nirjal vrat). The Ram Navami fast is broken on midnight if one has observed a waterless fast (nirjal vrat).

On the occasion of Ram Navami, a Rath Yatra or a chariot parade is also taken out in Ayodhya, the birth place of Ram. The Ram Rath Yatra also comprise of idols of Sita, Laxman, and Hanuman. The Rath Yatra is taken out by many of the temples in the city and is followed by the chanting of Ram Nama (Rama's holy name) by the devotees. Many people from abroad who are seeking spiritual understanding also attend this chariot parade as it is said to bring spiritual enlightenment and good luck forever in life.