Rama Navami (Sanskrit: राम नवमी, rāma navamī) celebrates the day of Śrī Rāma’s birth to King Daśaratha and Queen Kausalya in the city of Ayodhya – the Place of Perfect Peace.

We celebrate Rāma Navamī on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month called Chaitra, which usually falls in April.  This auspicious day also coincides with the 9th day of spring Navaratri, and it is celebrated with great fanfare at Devi Mandir. Special sweets are prepared and offered to Lord Rāma, and He is worshiped with great love and devotion.

For Rāma Navamī at the Devi Mandir, Shree Maa and Swamiji lead us in the joyous chanting of the Sundar Kāṇḍa (the Beautiful Chapter) and in worshiping Lord Viṣṇu. The  Sundar Kāṇḍa is a famous chapter of the Tulsidas Rāmāyaṇa, which depicts how the story and characters are extremely relevant to our own lives and in our own journeys to enlightenment.

After the recitation of the Sundar Kāṇḍa, the temple resounds with continuous chanting of “Oṃ Śrī Rāma Jaya Rāma Jaya Jaya Rāma.”  We all pray to Śrī Rāma to guide us and to make our lives perfect in dharma, love and truth.