Ram Navami 2018: Know date, significance, shubh muhurat, Shri Rama mantra, prasadam

India gets into celebratory mood with the festivity of Chaitra Navratri 2018 and will bid good bye to the much-awaited Hindu spring festival with Ram Navami, which falls on Sunday, March 25.

The festival marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, who is known to be the seventh avatar of Shri Vishnu. Ram Navami is being celebrated on the ninth day of the Shukhla Paksha (bright half) in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra (typically in the month of March or April).

A large number of devotees across the country worship different avatars of Goddess Durga by observing a fast and seek blessings from Lord Rama and Mahagauri. People also visit temples, where miniature idols of Lord Rama are bathed and clothed. The ceremony is also accompanied by worshiping Lord Lakshman, Lord Hanuman and Goddess Sita, owing to their relation with Shri Rama.

Shri Rama Mantras:

Neelambhuj shyamalkomlang

Sita Samaropitvambhagam

Pano Mahasaikacharoochapam

Namame Ramam Raghuvanshnatham

Rama Gayatri Mantra:

Om Daserathaya Vidhmahe

Sita Vallabhaya Dheemahe

Thanno Rama Prachodayat

Ram Navami 2018 Puja Muhurat:

Ram Navami Puja Muhurat - 11:14 AM to 13:39 PM

Ram Navami Madhyahna Moment - 12:26 PM

Navami tithi will start at 8:02 AM on Sunday and culminate at 05:54 AM on March 26, 2018.

Also Read | Chaitra Navratri 2018: Know importance, dates and significance of maa Durga pujan

Foods:

Food is also an important part of Ram Navami like all other Indian festivals. Devotees prepare several sweet dishes with utmost devotion and offer to Shri Rama as prasadam or naivedyam seeking victory of goodness over evil.

Panakam, Coonut ladoos, Makhana kheer, Dates Halwa and Puri are some of the traditional dishes, that people cook during Ram Navami to offer to the deity and nine little girls, who are considered to be the nine avatars of Goddess Durga.