One of the last festivals in the Bikram Sambat calendar, Ram Navami occurs on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra.

Lord Rama, the incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu, is revered by Hindus across the world as the epitome of strength, valor, compassion, purity, serenity and wisdom, and is worshipped with a deep faith and belief.

Celebrations in Janakpur and Kathmandu

On this special day, thousands of devotees throng at the Ram Janaki Temple in Janakpur for grand celebrations. The event is marked by a huge procession of elephants and bullock carts with devotees dancing, singing and reciting the glorious stories of the lord.

In Kathmandu and neighboring Bhaktapur, devotees observe a fast and visit various temples of Sri Ram and Vishnu, including the famous Changu Narayan, Ichangu Narayan, Bichangu Narayan and Budhanilkantha temples throughout the day.

Sano Dashain

The Ram Navami day is followed by Chaite Dashain, the festival commemorating the victory of truth and righteousness over evil. Ram Navami and Chaite Dashain are together also known as Sano Dashain or Small Dashain and are accorded the same importance as the ten days of Bijaya Dashami or Dashain.

On the Chaite Dashain day, Goddess Durga is worshipped with devoutness. Sacrifice of water buffaloes, goats, hens, ducks and other animals is carried out at the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur Durbar square to propitiate the goddess.

People get together with family and friends and partake in a feast to celebrate the occasion.

The festival serves as an inspiration to mankind to follow the path of truth and abide by the highest moral standards.

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