Ram Navami festival falls on the ninth day in the month of Chaitra according to the Hindu calendar. Thus it is also known as Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami, and marks the end of the nine-day Chaitra-Navratri celebrations. Sriram Navami is celebrated to proclaim the birth of Lord Sriram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu.Though Rama Navami is a major festival for Vaishnavites, it is widely celebrated by worshippers of Shiva, too.Lord Rama is remembered for his prosperous and righteous reign. Lord Rama came down to earth to battle the invincible Ravana (demon king) in human form. Ramrajya (the reign of Rama) has become synonymous with a period of peace and prosperity.
Lord Rama was born at noon, thus temples and family shrines are elaborately decorated and traditional prayers are chanted together by the family in the morning. Also, at temples special havans are organized, along with Vedic chanting of Vedic mantras and offerings of fruits and flowers. Many followers mark this day by Vrata (fasting) through the day followed by feasting in the evening, or at the culmination of celebrations.The more devout fast for nine days, from Ugadi to Rama Navami.
The important celebrations on this day take place at Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Bhadrachalam (Andhra Pradesh) and Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu), thronged by thousands of devotees. Rathayatras, the chariot processions, also known as Shobha yatras of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, are taken out at several places, including Ayodhya where thousands of people take a dip in the sacred river Sarayu.
