A complete step-by-step guide to performing the puja at home.
Dedicated to Lord Rama with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman
Bathe early in the morning and wear clean yellow or saffron clothes. Clean the puja area and decorate with flowers. Place the idol/image of Rama Parivar on a yellow cloth-covered chowki.
Sit facing east or north. Hold water, akshat (unbroken rice), and a flower in your right palm. The Sankalp mantra below is pre-filled with today's panchang (tithi, nakshatra, samvat year, lunar month, and weekday) — only the bracketed cues marked [say "…"] remain for you to fill in: your city, your gotra, and your full name. Women replace गोत्रोत्पन्नः with गोत्रोत्पन्ना. Release the water, akshat, and flower onto a plate as you finish the mantra.
ॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। श्रीमद्भगवतो महापुरुषस्य विष्णोराज्ञया प्रवर्तमानस्य अद्य ब्रह्मणो द्वितीये परार्धे श्वेतवाराहकल्पे वैवस्वतमन्वन्तरे कलियुगे प्रथमचरणे जम्बूद्वीपे भारतवर्षे भरतखण्डे आर्यावर्तान्तर्गते [say "your city name"] नगरे, विक्रम संवत्सरे 2084 (रौद्री) वत्सरे, वैशाख मासे, शुक्ल पक्षे, नवमी तिथौ, गुरुवासरे, पुष्य नक्षत्रे, [say "your gotra, e.g. Kashyapa"] गोत्रोत्पन्नः, [say "your full name"] नामाहम्, सकल दुरित क्षय पूर्वक सकल अभीष्ट सिद्ध्यर्थं श्री राम प्रीत्यर्थं श्री राम जन्म उत्सव पूजनम् अहं करिष्ये।
The tithi, nakshatra, lunar month, weekday and samvat year in the mantra above are for Ram Navami Puja's upcoming date: Thursday, 15 April 2027. These values auto-update each year.
Place a kalash of water with akshat, coin, and mango leaves topped with a coconut wrapped in yellow cloth on the right of the idol. Tie moli around the kalash neck.
Worship Lord Ganesha first with durva, red flowers, and modak to remove obstacles from the puja.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Invoke Lord Rama into the idol by placing a tulsi leaf at his heart and chanting the Avahana mantra. Invoke Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman alongside him.
ॐ रामाय नमः॥ ॐ रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे। रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः॥
Perform the sixteen upacharas for Lord Rama and Sita — Asana, Padya, Arghya, Achamaniya, Snana (panchamrit), Vastra (yellow silk), Gandha (chandan), Akshat, Pushpa (tulsi and yellow flowers), Dhupa, Deepa, Naivedya (panjiri, kheer, fruits), Tambula, Pradakshina, Namaskar.
श्री राम जय राम जय जय राम॥
Recite the Ram Raksha Stotra by Budha Kaushika Rishi. Then read the Bala Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana (especially the birth story) or the Tulsi Ramcharitmanas. At noon — the exact moment of Rama's birth — ring the bell, blow the conch, and celebrate Sri Ram Janma.
रामो राजमणिः सदा विजयते रामं रमेशं भजे। रामेणाभिहता निशाचरचमू रामाय तस्मै नमः॥
At exactly noon (Madhyahna Kaal — Rama's birth hour), place a small Bal Rama idol in a cradle. Rock the cradle gently and sing 'Shri Rama Janma Bhayo' (the lullaby of Rama's birth). Ring the bell and conch throughout.
Perform the Rama Aarti with camphor — singing 'Shri Ram Chandra Kripalu Bhaj Mann' or 'Aarti Shri Ramayan Ji Ki'. Circle the flame clockwise before the deities. Let every devotee take the blessing.
श्री राम चन्द्र कृपालु भजमन हरण भवभय दारुणम्।
Offer a pushpanjali of yellow flowers with the Ram Pushpanjali mantra. Distribute the panjiri, kheer, and fruits as prasad. Chant 'Jai Shri Ram' with every distribution. Many devotees also donate to the poor on this day — following the dharmic path of Rama.
This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.
