Ram Navami is the ninth day of the waxing Moon in Chaitra. In Bengal it closes Basanti Puja, the spring worship of Durga that is held to be the original one; the day before is Annapurna Puja, for the goddess who gives food. Rama's own birthday is kept in his temples, and at Ramrajatala in Howrah it opens a festival that runs for four months.
The story
Bengal reads the Ramayana in the fifteenth-century Bengali of Krittibas Ojha. It is in his version, not Valmiki's, that Rama, unable to defeat Ravana, worships Durga out of season in autumn, the akal bodhan from which the great autumn Durga Puja takes its origin.
The spring puja, begun by King Suratha in the Devi Mahatmya, is still performed in some old families and temples.
How it is kept
- Basanti PujaFour days of Durga worship, from Saptami to Dashami, in the households that keep it.
- Annapurna PujaOn Ashtami, with a feast of rice.
- Rama's birthCelebrated at noon in Rama temples.
- Ramayana pathKrittibas is read aloud.
Why this date
Ram Navami is the Navami of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, on the day it covers midday.
Ram Navami in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sunday | |
| 2026 | Thursday | |
| 2027 | Thursday | |
| 2028 | Monday | |
| 2029 | Sunday | |
| 2030 | Friday |
More Bengali festivals
3 MarchDol Purnimaদোলযাত্রা
2 AprilHanuman Jayantiহনুমান জয়ন্তী
15 AprilPoila Boishakhপয়লা বৈশাখ
15 FebruaryMaha Shivaratriমহা শিবরাত্রি
23 JanuarySaraswati Pujaসরস্বতী পূজা
19 AprilAkshaya Tritiyaঅক্ষয় তৃতীয়া
Where to see Ram Navami
In West Bengal
- Ramrajatala, HowrahWest BengalA huge clay image of Rama and Sita is worshipped from Ram Navami until the last Sunday of Shravan.
- PhuliaWest BengalThe village of Krittibas, on the Hooghly in Nadia.
- Annapurna Temple, BarrackporeWest BengalBuilt on the plan of Dakshineswar by Rani Rashmoni's daughter.
Across India
- AyodhyaUttar PradeshThe birthplace, where sunlight is thrown on the image at noon.
- VaranasiUttar PradeshThe temple of Annapurna stands beside Vishwanath.
- BhadrachalamTelanganaThe day is celebrated as the wedding of Rama and Sita.