Festival companion · Thursday 15 April 2027

Rama Navami

The birthday of Lord Rama. Everything for one festival in one place: the story to tell, the puja, a recipe, a craft for children and a shopping list.

Tell the story

The Story of Rama Navami

King Dasharatha of Ayodhya had no children. After a great fire ritual, the god of fire rose with a bowl of sweet payasam and told him to share it with his three queens.

On the ninth day of Chaitra, at noon, Queen Kausalya gave birth to Rama. Kaikeyi's son was Bharata and Sumitra's twins were Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Rama grew up to be truthful, kind and brave, the ideal son, brother, king and friend.

That is why on Rama Navami families sing his name at noon, rock a little cradle and share cool panakam, because it is the hottest time of the year in India.

How families celebrate

Rama Navami celebrates the birth of Rama at noon on the ninth day of Chaitra. Homes and temples read the Ramayana, sing bhajans and offer panakam, a cooling jaggery drink, with buttermilk and kosambari to visitors.

Ramayana reading, a small cradle for baby Rama at noon, panakam, neer mor and kosambari, and Rama nama japa.

At home

The Puja

A home puja anyone can follow, step by step, with the words to say.

Before you begin

  1. Prepare

    Bathe, wear clean clothes and clean the puja place. Set out a lamp, incense, flowers, kumkum, turmeric, rice, water in a small vessel with a spoon, a bell and the naivedya (food offering).

  2. Light the lamp

    Light the lamp with ghee or oil and fold your hands.

    SayShubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhana sampadah, shatru buddhi vinashaya deepa jyotir namostute

  3. Pray to Ganesha first

    Every puja begins with Ganesha, so the rest goes without obstacles. Offer a flower or a little rice.

    SayVakratunda mahakaya suryakoti samaprabha, nirvighnam kuru me deva sarva karyeshu sarvada

  4. Achamana and sankalpa

    Sip a spoon of water three times. Then hold a little water, rice and a flower and say, in your own language, who you are, where you are, and why you are doing this puja today. Let it fall in a plate.

    SayOm Keshavaya namah · Om Narayanaya namah · Om Madhavaya namah

Step by step

  1. Set up

    Place a picture of Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. Decorate with flowers and tulsi.

  2. Worship Rama

    Offer flowers and tulsi with the sixteen offerings, in short.

    SayShri Rama Rama Rameti Rame Rame Manorame, sahasranama tat tulyam Rama nama varanane

  3. Birth at noon

    At noon, place a small idol or picture in a cradle and rock it while singing.

    SayShri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama

  4. Read the Ramayana

    Read the Bala Kanda or a short telling of Rama's birth together.

  5. Offer panakam

    Offer panakam, neer mor and kosambari, then share them.

Closing

  1. Naivedya

    Place the food before the deity, sprinkle a little water around it and offer it with your hands open.

    SayOm pranaya svaha · Om apanaya svaha · Om vyanaya svaha · Om udanaya svaha · Om samanaya svaha

  2. Aarti

    Wave the camphor or ghee lamp clockwise in front of the deity, ringing the bell, while the family sings an aarti or bhajan.

  3. Pradakshina and namaskara

    Turn around once clockwise where you stand, then bow or prostrate. Ask forgiveness for anything done wrongly.

    SayYani kani cha papani janmantara kritani cha, tani tani vinashyanti pradakshina pade pade

  4. Share the prasada

    Share the naivedya with everyone at home and with neighbours.

The 16 offerings

Most home pujas follow the sixteen offerings, the shodashopachara. When you have little time, offer flowers, a lamp and food with love; that is enough.

  1. DhyanaThink of the deity
  2. AvahanaInvite the deity
  3. AsanaOffer a seat (a flower or rice)
  4. PadyaWater to wash the feet
  5. ArghyaWater to wash the hands
  6. AchamaniyaWater to sip
  7. SnanaA bath (sprinkle water, or abhisheka)
  8. VastraClothes (a cloth or cotton thread)
  9. Yajnopavita / AbharanaSacred thread or ornaments
  10. GandhaSandal paste, turmeric and kumkum
  11. PushpaFlowers and leaves
  12. DhupaIncense
  13. DeepaA lamp
  14. NaivedyaFood
  15. TambulaBetel leaf and nut, or fruit
  16. Nirajana and namaskaraAarti, flowers and bowing

Print

A printable version of this puja is on its way. Until then, use the Print button.

This is a simple home puja. Every family and region has its own customs, so follow your elders or priest where they differ.

Cook together

Panakam and Neer Mor

More recipes →
South India · Rama Navami

Panakam and Neer Mor

Jaggery-ginger drink and spiced buttermilk: panakam in Tamil and Telugu, panaka in Kannada, majjige and neer mor for buttermilk

  • 10 min
  • Serves 4
Ingredients and method

Ingredients

  • Panakam: ½ cup jaggery, 3 cups water, ½ tsp dry ginger powder, ¼ tsp cardamom, a pinch of black pepper, juice of ½ lemon
  • Neer mor: 1 cup yoghurt, 3 cups water, salt, a small piece of ginger, a few curry leaves and coriander leaves

Method

  1. Panakam: dissolve the jaggery in water, strain, then stir in ginger, cardamom, pepper and lemon.
  2. Neer mor: blend the yoghurt with water, salt, ginger and a few leaves until smooth and thin.
  3. Serve both chilled or at room temperature.

Rama Navami falls in the hottest weeks in India, so these cooling drinks are offered to every visitor.

For children

Make a paper cradle for baby Rama

You need

  • A small cardboard box
  • Coloured paper and ribbon
  • Two strings
  • A small picture or doll

Steps

  1. Cover the box with coloured paper.
  2. Decorate it with ribbon and paper flowers.
  3. Tie strings at both ends so it can hang or rock.
  4. Place the picture inside and rock it gently at noon while singing.

Get ready

Shopping List

Tick things off as you go, or print the list for the Indian store.

Shopping list

Looking for something, or want to help? Ask us for a festival, ceremony or recipe from your region, or tell us how you would like to help.

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