2024 Rama Navami

Lord Rama was born on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. Each year this day is celebrated as birthday of Lord Rama. Lord Rama was born during Madhyahna period which is middle of Hindu day. Madhyahna which prevails for six Ghatis (approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes) is the most auspicious time to perform Rama Navami Puja rituals. The mid-point of Madhyahna marks the moment when Shri Rama was born and temples symbolize this moment as birth moment of Lord Rama. The chanting of Shri Rama and celebration reaches its peak during this time.

Due to widespread use of western clock and Gregorian calendar people assume 12 p.m. as Madhyahna moment. This could have been correct if sunrise and sunset occur exactly at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. respectively but at most places sunrise and sunset timings are different from six O'clock. Hence the exact time to celebrate birthday of Lord Rama falls between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for most Indian cities. DrikPanchang.com list Hindu midday moment for all cities and this moment should be used to mark the birth of Shri Rama.

Ayodhya is birthplace of Lord Rama and Rama Navami celebrations in Ayodhya are remarkable. Devotees come to Ayodhya from far-flung places. After taking holy dip into river Sarayu Devotees visit Rama temple to participate in birthday celebrations.

Eight Prahar fasting is suggested during Rama Navami. Which means devotes should observe the fast from sunrise to sunrise. Rama Navami Vrat can be observed in three different ways, casual (नैमित्तिक) -which can be observed without any cause, continual (नित्य) - which can be observed throughout life without any desire and desirable (काम्य) - which can be observed to fulfill any desire.

This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Rama who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
This festival is celebrated during the time of March-April (the 9th day of the first month of the Hindu calendar).
Lord Rama, who became king of Ayodhya, was known for His exemplary qualities. He was popular, brave, kind, just, intelligent, patient, loving, obedient and dutiful.
Lord Rama is always worshiped with his consort Sita, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman.

The worship of Lord Rama is accompanied by the worship of the Sun god since Ram was considered to have descended from the sun, or is in the Solar dynasty. Ram Navami celebrations include reading the great epic Ramayana and staging plays of the Ram Lila, or the pastimes of the life of Lord Rama.

https://www.ramnavami.com/history-of-ram-navami.html
https://www.shreerammandiram.org/ram-navami.html