Ram Navami 2026 Date and Madhyahna Muhurat
Ram Navami 2026 was observed on Thursday, 26 March 2026 (Smarta). ISKCON and many Vaishnava temples observed it on Friday, 27 March.
Ram Navami 2026 date and Navami tithi
Ram Navami 2026: Thursday, 26 March 2026 (Smarta) · Friday, 27 March (ISKCON / Vaishnava)
Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama on Chaitra Shukla Navami, at midday. In 2026 Navami tithi ran from 11:48 AM on 26 March to 10:06 AM on 27 March (New Delhi). Navami covered the madhyahna (midday) period on the 26th, so Smarta households observed Ram Navami on Thursday, 26 March. Vaishnava traditions, including ISKCON, avoid a Navami that is mixed with Ashtami at sunrise, so they observed it on Friday, 27 March, when Navami was the sunrise tithi.
Ram Navami muhurat (New Delhi, 26 Mar)
| Window | Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Madhyahna muhurat | 11:13 AM – 1:41 PM |
| Madhyahna moment | 12:27 PM |
| Navami tithi | 11:48 AM (26 Mar) – 10:06 AM (27 Mar) |
Significance
Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, is revered as Maryada Purushottam, the ideal of righteous conduct. The day closes Chaitra Navratri in many homes. Ayodhya, Sita’s birthplace region of Mithila, Bhadrachalam and Rameswaram hold large celebrations, and Ramayana recitation (Ramayan path or Ram Charit Manas) is common through the nine days.
Rituals
- Fast until midday or the whole day; worship Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman at the madhyahna moment.
- Rock a small idol of baby Rama in a cradle and offer panakam (jaggery drink), kosambari or panjiri.
- Read or listen to the Bala Kanda; temples hold shobha yatras and Sita-Rama Kalyanam (South India).
Panchang for the day
Panchang for 26 March 2026 (New Delhi).
Ram Navami 2027
Ram Navami 2027 is listed on Thursday, 15 April 2027.
Related
All times are IST for New Delhi unless stated otherwise. Muhurat changes with your city’s sunrise, sunset and moonrise: check today’s Panchang for your location. Outside India the date can differ; use your local panchang. Sources: Drik Panchang (New Delhi), cross-checked with Free Panchang’s own calculation (Lahiri ayanamsa); AstroSage 2026 festival calendar.
Frequently asked questions
- Ram Navami 2026 kab thi?
- Ram Navami 2026 was on Thursday, 26 March 2026 for Smarta followers and on Friday, 27 March 2026 for ISKCON and Vaishnava followers.
- What was the Ram Navami 2026 muhurat?
- In New Delhi the madhyahna muhurat was 11:13 AM to 1:41 PM IST on 26 March 2026, with the madhyahna moment at 12:27 PM.
- Why were there two Ram Navami dates in 2026?
- Navami began before midday on 26 March but was the sunrise tithi on 27 March; Smarta rules pick the day with Navami at midday, while Vaishnava rules avoid Navami mixed with Ashtami.