Rama Navami

Hindu festival · spring celebration · gods and heroes · India

Birthday of Rama. Rama Navami celebrates the birth of Rama, one of the most important gods in Hinduism. Hindus believe he was an avatar, or earthly form, of Vishnu, the god of protection and order.

The Perfect King. Rama is honored as an ideal ruler and human being because of his honesty, bravery, and strong sense of right and wrong. Many Hindus look to his life as an example of how to live well.

Spring Celebration. Rama Navami falls on the ninth day of the bright lunar month of Chaitra, which usually happens in March or April. It's part of a larger spring festival called Chaitra Navaratri that lasts for nine days.

Festival Traditions. During Rama Navami, Hindus gather at temples to sing songs called bhajans, listen to stories about Rama's amazing deeds, and share sweet foods with family and friends.

A Hero's Story. Rama is famous in Hindu culture for his adventures, including his love story with Princess Sita and his battles against evil forces in the epic poem called the Ramayana.