Rama Navami 2016: Puja Muhurat, Tithi and Vidhi

Pic courtesy: Thinkstock image for representation purpose only.

Mumbai: Devotees of Lord Shri Rama are gearing up to celebrate his birthday this Friday. The eldest son of Ayodhya naresh (King) Dasharath of the Suryavanshi lineage, Rama, was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He was born to Queen Kaushalya on the Navmi tithi of the Chaitra month during the Shukla Paksha according to the Hindu calendar. This day, also known as Rama Navami, falls on April 15 this year according to the Gregorian calendar.

Lord Rama is believed to have been born during the noon which is also known as Madhyana. And hence, the period (approximately an hour and fifteen minutes) before noon (12PM) and approximately an hour after that is considered to be highly auspicious.

Rama Navami 2016 Tithi

Navami Tithi starts at 21:29PM on 14 April 2016 and ends at 22:03PM on 15 April 2016.

Rama Navami 2016 Puja Muhurat

The Rama Navami Puja Muhurat starts roughly at about 11 AM to 13:30 PM on April 15.

Rama Navami Puja Vidhi

Things you need – A small wooden platform, a red, yellow or saffron coloured 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.

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.

Now, offer your 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.