Vaishnava festival
Rāma Navamī: the appearance of Lord Rāmacandra
The birth of Rāma, the ideal king, whose story is told in the Rāmāyaṇa.
What is celebrated
Lord Rāmacandra appeared in Ayodhyā as the son of King Daśaratha and Queen Kauśalyā, on the ninth day (navamī) of the waxing fortnight. His life is the subject of the Rāmāyaṇa: the exile in the forest, the abduction of His wife Sītā by the demon Rāvaṇa and her rescue with the help of Hanumān.
Rāma is the model of the just king, the son, the brother and the husband. For Vaishnavas He is the same person as Krishna, in another form and with another character.
How it is celebrated
- Devotees fast until sunset.
- The Rāmāyaṇa is read and the name of Rāma is sung.
- At dusk ārati is held and the fast is broken.
In 2026 it falls on 26 March 2026, according to the calendar calculated for London. In 2027 it will be on 15 April 2027. Vaishnava dates follow the moon and change every year: check them in the calendar. Each temple organises its own programme; ask at your nearest one.