Ram Navami, the auspicious festival of India, celebrating the birth of the God Ram, who was the seventh avatar of Vishnu. The day come on the ninth day of the Chaitra month according to Hindi calendar, and this year, the festival has fallen on April 15, Friday.

Lord Rama who was the son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kauhalya of Ayodhya.On the day, devotees offers prayer to Lord Ram and also as part of celebration, the Ramayana, is chanting in Temples. Many Bhakats perform bhajans and dance.

In some part of India, the day is believed to be the wedding anniversary of Rama and Sita That’s why , wedding ceremonies named Sitarama Kalyanam or Kalyanotsavam will be held at South Indian temples.

Muhurta or Pooja timing on the day :

Rama Navami Puja Muhurta = 11:23 to 13:53 (2 Hours 29 Minutes)
Rama Navami Madhyahna Moment = 12:38

Navami Tithi begins from = 21:29 on April 14, 2016
Navami Tithi ends at = 22:03 on April 15, 2016

Vidhi or Method:

For offering prayer to Lord Ram, the things you will need are following:A small wooden platform, a red, yellow or saffron colored piece of cloth (to cover the wooden platform), A picture or an idol of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, an idol or photo of Lord Ganesha, two garlands made of fresh flowers, flowers, haldi, kumkum, chandan, a kalash, Water, akshat, tulsi leaves, brass or earthen lamp, cotton wicks, ghee/mustard oil or sesame oil, incense sticks, dhoop, agarbatti, 2 coconuts, 4 bananas, paan, supari and sweets.

How to use the things:

• Spread the piece of cloth on the wooden platform and gently place the photo or idol of Lord Shriram. Also, place the idol/photo of Lord Ganesha right in the front.
• Add some ghee to the brass or earthen lamp and use wicks to light it.
• Offer one of the garlands to Lord Ganesha.
• Offer  prayers to Lord Ganesha. Invite him to accept your offerings. Chant this simple Ganesha Mantra:

             "Vakratunda Mahaakaaya Suryakoti Samaprabaha,

              Nirvighnam Kurumedeva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada"

• Apply haldi, kumkum and chandan on the idol or photo.
• Offer flowers, light up the dhoop, agarbatti, pan, supari, water, one coconut and two bananas to Lord Ganesha. You may also offer Dhruva.
• Perform the aarti.
• After completing the Ganesha Puja, offer the garland, haldi, kumkum, chandan to Lord Ram. Invite him to accept your prayers and offerings.
• Chant the name of Lord Rama, offer flowers besides Tulsi.
• You can also chant this mantra – Om Rama Ramaya Namah.
• Sit down with your eyes closed. Relax and chant the Lord’s name.
• In the end, offer coconut, bananas, sweets and water to the Lord.
• Perform the aarti and conclude the Puja.

The first person of India or President Pranab Mukherjee wished on the occasion, "On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, I extend greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens. Lord Rama was an embodiment of the divine on Earth. He taught us how to live our lives in accordance with dharma. May the example of Lord Rama inspire us to follow his footsteps and strive for nobility in thought, word and deed.Let us on this day resolve to follow at all times in our lives the highest moral and ethical values”