Ram Navami 2026 — Chennai
Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra. Rama is believed to have been born at midday, so the main worship is in the madhyahna period.
In 2026, Ram Navami is on Thursday, 26 March 2026.
Vaishnava (ISKCON) tradition: Friday, 27 March 2026.
- Madhyahna puja muhurat: 26 Mar 2026, 11:49 AM to 1:27 PM
- Shukla Navami begins: 26 Mar 2026, 11:49 AM
- Shukla Navami ends: 27 Mar 2026, 10:07 AM
Date and timings for Chennai.
How the date is fixed
Ram Navami falls on Shukla Navami of Chaitra. The day is decided by the tithi prevailing at midday (madhyahna, the middle fifth of the day). When the tithi touches that time on two days, the day it covers more is used.
Calculated for Chennai. Festival dates can differ by a day between cities and between regional traditions; your family priest's panchang has the final word.
How it is celebrated
Devotees fast, read the Ramayana or Ramcharitmanas, and celebrate Rama's birth at noon with bhajans, a cradle ceremony and offerings of panakam and kosambari in the South. Ayodhya holds large processions.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Ram Navami in 2026?
In 2026, Ram Navami is on Thursday, 26 March 2026. (Chennai)
Why do calendars sometimes show different dates for Ram Navami?
Hindu festivals follow the lunar tithi, which begins and ends at different clock times. Each festival has a rule about which part of the day the tithi must cover — sunrise, midday, dusk or midnight. When the tithi straddles two days, calendars that apply the rule for a different city, or a different tradition, can land on different days. We show the rule we used and the tithi timings so you can check.