Festival 2026 · Birthday of Lord Rama (Chaitra Shukla Navami)
Rama Navami 2026
Thursday, 26 March 2026 (passed)
Tithi begins: Thu 26 Mar, 11:49 AM IST
Tithi ends: Fri 27 Mar, 10:07 AM IST
Times for Delhi. Other cities can differ, sometimes by a day.
About Rama Navami
Rama Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra. The birth is traditionally placed at midday, so the puja is held in the Madhyahna window.
Devotees read the Ramayana or Ramcharitmanas, sing bhajans and visit Rama temples. Many keep a fast until the midday aarti.
How it is observed
- Rama puja and aarti at midday.
- Recitation of the Ramayana, Ramcharitmanas or Rama Raksha Stotra.
- Fasting on fruit and milk until the puja.
- Processions and Rama Navami fairs, especially in Ayodhya.
Dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar (tithi) as seen from Delhi and can differ by a day between regions and panchangs. Computed from NASA JPL DE421 Sun and Moon positions. Confirm with your local temple or priest for religious observances.
More festival dates
Frequently asked questions
When is Rama Navami in 2026?
Rama Navami 2026 falls on Thursday, 26 March 2026. The tithi begins Thu 26 Mar, 11:49 AM IST and ends Fri 27 Mar, 10:07 AM IST (Delhi).
What time is the Rama Navami puja?
The puja is done at Madhyahna, around midday, because Rama is said to have been born at that time. Check your local panchang for the exact muhurat.
Why does the date of Rama Navami change every year?
Hindu festivals follow the lunar calendar, so the date moves against the 365-day calendar by about 11 days a year, then jumps back when an extra (Adhika) month is added.
Keep exploring, all free