Rama Nawami is a festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya. Lord Rama was the seventh avatar of Vishnu. When Lord Rama was born, it was a joyous occasion as King Darsharatha’s heir was born after long struggle. Lord Brahma was receiving many complaints about Ravana about the havoc he was creating. Ravana has many boons from Lord Brahma. One among them is that he cannot be killed by gods. So Lord Brahma said Lord Rama in human avathar. Lord Rama is a legendary figure who defeated the demon king Ravana.
Rama Nawami is celebrated on the 9th day of Chaitra month in Hindu calendar. According to English calendar it falls in the month of March/April. It is celebrated in all parts of the country, but mainly celebrated in Ayodhya, Sita Samahit Sthal, Bhadrachalam and Rameswaram.
In some places it is celebrated for nine days and it is known as Sri Rama Navaratra. It is marked by continuous performances of Akhand Paath mostly of the Ramacharitamanas. It is elaborated with bhajan, aarthi, kirtan and prasad after the puja. Rama is believed to be born in noon, so all the temples are arranged in the traditional way and prayers are done in the morning itself. Special havans along with Vedic chanting of mantras are organized in the temples. Some devotees mark this day by fasting through the day followed by feasting in the evening. In Bhadrachalam this day is celebrated as the wedding anniversary of Rama and Sita. In south India, Kalyanotsavam is celebrated with small deities of Sita and Rama in their homes and in evening the deity is taken to a parade on the streets. Kalyanam, Panakam and Procession of murtis are the highlights of this festival.