Rama Navami 2017: Tithi, Vidhi and Puja Muhurat

Shri Rama was born to Kaushalya, Dasharatha’s first queen on the Navami tithi of the Chaitra month during the Shukla Paksha.

Pic courtesy: Thinkstock image for representation purpose only.

Rama - the eldest son of Ayodhya naresh (King) Dasharatha of the Suryavanshi lineage was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He was born to Queen Kaushalya, Dasharatha’s first queen on the Navmi tithi of the Chaitra month during the Shukla Paksha. This day, also known as Rama Navami, falls on April 5 this year according to the Gregorian calendar. Interestingly, many states in the country will be celebrating the auspicious day today.

Lord Rama is believed to have been born during the (known as madhyana in Sanskrit). 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 for conducting Puja.

Check out the Tithi, Puja Muhurat calculated by Drigpanchang.com:

Rama Navami 2017 Tithi

Navami Tithi starts at 11:20 AM on April 4 and end at 10:03 AM on April 5.

Rama Navami 2017 Puja Muhurat

The Rama Navami Puja Muhurat starts roughly at about 11:12 AM to 13:37 PM.

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:

वक्रतुंड महाकाय सूर्य कोटि समप्रबह

निर्विघ्नं कुरुमेदेव सर्व कार्येशु सर्वदा

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.