Ramnavami 2019: It was the Navami tithi during the Shukla Paksha (bright lunar fortnight) of Chaitra month when Lord Ram was supposed to have born in Ayodhya. To commemorate the occasion, Hindus celebrate Ramnavami or Rama Navami on this day every year, which also coincides with Chaitra Navratri.
This year, Ram Navami will be celebrated on 13 November, Saturday. At some places, however, the festive day will be observed the next day i.e. 14 April, Sunday.
Lord Rama was said to have born during ‘madhyahna” (mid-day) period, and hence madhyahna that lasts approximately 2 and a half hours is considered the most auspicious time to perform the Ramnavami puja.
Rama Navami marks the culmination of Chaitra Navratri, which is beginning tomorrow, i.e. Saturday, 6 April. Chaitra Navratri will be celebrated from 6 April to 14 April.
On the nine days of Chaitra Navratri, the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped.
Chaitra Navratri 2019 dates
April 6: On Pratipada, the first day of Navratri, ghata sthapana will be done and Goddess Durga’s Shailputri form will be worshipped.
April 7: On Dwitiya, the second day of Navratri, Brahmacharini will be worshipped.
April 8: On the third day of Navratri, devotees will be worshipping Chandraghata.
April 9: Chaturthi, he fourth day of Navratri, Kushmanda will be worshipped. The day is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi.
April 10: On the fifth day of Navratri, Skandamata is worshipped and Naag Puja is done.
April 11: The sixth day of Navratri is Shasthi, when Katyayani is worshipped.
April 12: On Saptami, the seventh day of Navratri, devotees worship Kaalratri.
April 13: On the eighth day of Navratri, i.e. Mahashasthi, Mahagauri or Annapurna is invoked. Many households perform kanya poojan or kanjak poojan, when young girls who signify various forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. This year, Navami thihi will begin on this day because of which Rama Navami will also be celebrated on the day.
April 14: The ninth day of Navratri is dedicated to Siddhidaatri. Many families perform the kanya poojan on this day too.
Since Lord Ram was born on this Navami, the Chaitra Navratri is synonymous to Rama Navami. Chaitra Navratri is also known as Vasanta Navratri.
Ayodhya being the birthplace of Lord Ram marks special celebrations on this day. Devotees coming from far-flung places take a holy dip in Sarayu river and visit Ram temple.
According to Drik Panchang, Navami tithi will begin at 11:41 am on 13 April 2019 and end at 09:35 am on 14 April 2019
Ramnavami puja muhurt: 11:06 am to 13:38 pm
What to eat during Navratri
During Navratri fast, devotees prefer a sattvik diet comprising sabudana, kuttu (buckwheat), makhana, ragi, potatoes etc, besides fruits and milk. All vegetables, barring onions and garlic, are eaten during this time.