Places to Celebrate Ram Navami in India
Ram Navami in India is a significant festival, that commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. While North India celebrates it as Rama Navami, in South India, it signifies the wedding anniversary of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Falling on the 9th day of Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra month, this year, the festival will be celebrated on the 17th of April. While the whole country celebrates with fervor, these 5 Best Places to Celebrate Ram Navami in India 2024 stand out for their grand Ram Navami celebrations, making them ideal destinations to experience this auspicious occasion.
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Ayodhya, known as the birthplace of Lord Rama, celebrates Ram Navami with unparalleled enthusiasm. It is considered one of the most spiritual festivals in the city, as Lord Rama is the patron deity of Ayodhya. During Ram Navami, people decorate their houses, observe fasts, take a dip in the Sarayu River, and visit temples to perform various religious rituals.
The city comes alive with fairs and chariot processions of Lord Rama, Sita, Laxman, and Hanuman. Ramleela, a dramatic representation of Rama’s life and his battle with Ravana is an integral part of the celebrations. The recent inauguration of Ayodhya Ram Mandir makes it one of the best places to celebrate Ram Navami in India.
Ram Navami Celebrations: Ayodhya celebrates Ram Navami with grand processions, elaborate decorations, and religious ceremonies. The city is adorned with lights, and temples host special prayers and events.
Temple Location: The main attractions include the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Kanak Bhawan, Nageshwarnath Temple, and the Hanuman Garhi Temple, all significant sites for Ram Navami celebrations.
Places to Visit: Apart from the temples, visitors can explore the Ramkot Fort, which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, and the Valmiki Ramayan Bhawan, showcasing artifacts related to the epic Ramayana.
How to Reach Ayodhya
- By Air: The nearest airport is the newly constructed Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya about 12 kilometers away from Ram Mandir.
- By Train: Ayodhya Junction is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata by regular train services.
- By Bus: Ayodhya is well-connected by road, and you can find regular bus services run by UPSRTC from nearby cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, and Allahabad.
Top Bus Routes to Ayodhya
You can easily book bus tickets to Ayodhya and travel. Here are some of the most travelled bus routes by people to reach Ayodhya
Bhadrachalam, Telangana
Known as Dakshina Ayodhya, Bhadrachalam in Telangana is another prominent place to witness Ram Navami celebrations. The Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple, built in the 17th century by devotee Bhakta Ramadasu, is a focal point of the festivities.
Here, Ram Navami is celebrated as the wedding anniversary of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, known as ‘Sitarama Kalyanam’. While the festival spans nine days, the final day, Navami, witnesses a grand celebration with a ceremonial wedding of the divine couple, attracting a large number of devotees making it one of the best places to celebrate Ram Navami in India.
Ram Navami Celebrations: Bhadrachalam celebrates Ram Navami with the grand wedding ceremony of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, known as ‘Sitarama Kalyanam’. The temple is decorated beautifully, and devotees participate in various rituals.
Temple Location: The Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple, located on the banks of the Godavari River, is the focal point of the celebrations and a must-visit during this time.
Places to Visit: Besides the temple, visitors can explore the Parnasala, a place where Lord Rama, Sita, and Laxman are believed to have stayed during their exile.
How to Reach Bhadrachalam
- By Air: The nearest airport is in Hyderabad, approximately 312 kilometers away. From Hyderabad, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Bhadrachalam.
- By Train: Bhadrachalam Road Railway Station is the nearest railhead, connected to major cities like Hyderabad and Vijayawada.
- By Bus: Bhadrachalam is well-connected by road, and you can find regular bus services run by TSRTC from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and other nearby cities.
Top Bus Routes to Bhadrachalam
You can easily book bus tickets to Bhadrachalam and travel. Here are some of the most travelled bus routes by people to reach Bhadrachalam
Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Rameswaram, a popular tourist destination in Tamil Nadu, is another significant place for Ram Navami celebrations. It is believed to be where the Vanarsena built the “Ram Setu” for Lord Rama to reach Sri Lanka and rescue Goddess Sita from the demon king Ravana.
The Sri Kothandarama Swamy Temple in Rameswaram is a major center for Rama Navami celebrations, drawing numerous devotees who participate in the wedding ceremony of the Lord, chant his name, and observe fasts. Visiting the famous Rameshwaram Temple is also recommended among other places to visit in Rameshwaram, as it is where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse the sin of killing Ravana.
Ram Navami Celebrations: Rameswaram celebrates Ram Navami with great fervor, with devotees participating in the wedding ceremony of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita at the Sri Kothandarama Swamy Temple.
Temple Location: The Sri Kothandarama Swamy Temple is the main attraction, where devotees gather to witness the elaborate celebrations.
Places to Visit: Apart from the temple, visitors can explore the Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agnitheertham Beach, and the Ramar Patham, believed to be the spot where Lord Rama stood before building the bridge to Lanka.
How to Reach Rameswaram
- By Air: The nearest airport is in Madurai, about 163 kilometers away from Rameswaram. From Madurai, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Rameswaram.
- By Train: Rameswaram Railway Station is well-connected to major cities like Chennai, Madurai, and Coimbatore.
- By Bus: Rameswaram is well-connected by road, and you can find regular bus services run by TNSTC from Madurai, Chennai, and other nearby cities.
Top Bus Routes to Rameswaram
You can easily book bus tickets to Rameswaram and travel. Here are some of the most travelled bus routes by people to reach Rameswaram
Vontimitta, Andhra Pradesh
Vontimitta, a small town in Andhra Pradesh, is home to the 450-year-old Sri Kondandarama Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Rama. It is the official venue for Sri Rama Navami celebrations in Andhra Pradesh since the Bhadrachalam Temple is now part of Telangana.
Organized by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, the festival is celebrated as part of the 9-day annual Bramhotsavam, featuring a week-long cultural program. The celestial wedding ceremony of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita is a major attraction, attracting devotees from across the state and country making it one of the best places to celebrate Ram Navami in India.
Ram Navami Celebrations: Vontimitta celebrates Ram Navami as part of the 9-day annual Bramhotsavam, organized by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The festival includes cultural activities and the celestial wedding ceremony of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
Temple Location: The Sri Kondandarama Swamy Temple, built by two robbers-turned-devotees of Lord Rama, is the center of the celebrations and a significant pilgrimage site.
Places to Visit: Besides the temple, visitors can explore the surrounding natural beauty and the town’s rural charm.
How to Reach Vontimitta
- By Air: The nearest airport is in Tirupati, approximately 100 kilometers away. From Tirupati, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Vontimitta.
- By Train: Kadapa Railway Station is the nearest railhead, connected to major cities like Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.
- By Bus: Vontimitta is well-connected by road, and you can find regular bus services run by APSRTC from Tirupati, Kadapa, and other nearby cities.
Shirdi, Maharashtra
Shirdi, known for its association with Sai Baba, celebrates Ram Navami with great enthusiasm. It is one of the three main festivals celebrated in the town, alongside Guru Purnima and Vijaya Dashmi. The celebrations in Shirdi have a unique story, where a devotee of Sai Baba was blessed with a child after years of prayers and chose to organize Urs on the day coinciding with Ram Navami. This decision by Sai Baba brought two communities together.
The festivities in Shirdi include rituals like changing the flag at Dwarkamai and replacing the old sack of wheat with a new one. The 3-day celebration includes a Palki procession, the Abhishek of Sai Baba with holy water from the Godavari River, and various devotional programs attracting huge crowds and making it one of the best places to celebrate Ram Navami in India.
Ram Navami Celebrations: Shirdi celebrates Ram Navami with various rituals and events, including a Palki procession, Abhishek of Sai Baba with holy water, and devotional programs.
Temple Location: The main attraction is the Sai Baba Temple, where devotees gather to seek blessings and participate in the celebrations.
Places to Visit: Other than temples there are many places to visit in Shirdi like the Dwarkamai, Chavadi, and the Samadhi Mandir dedicated to Sai Baba.
How to Reach Shirdi
- By Air: The nearest airport is in Aurangabad, about 130 kilometers away from Shirdi. From Aurangabad, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Shirdi.
- By Train: Shirdi has its railway station, connected to major cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur.
- By Bus: Shirdi is well-connected by road, and you can find regular bus services run by MSRTC from Mumbai, Pune, and other nearby cities.
Top Bus Routes to Shirdi
You can easily book bus tickets to Shirdi and travel. Here are some of the most travelled bus routes by people to reach Shirdi
In conclusion, Ram Navami is a festival deeply rooted in devotion and spirituality, celebrated with great fervor across India. All the places offer unique experiences to witness the grandeur of Ram Navami celebrations in India. Booking bus tickets on AbhiBus offers a convenient and hassle-free way to visit these enchanting destinations during the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. With AbhiBus, travelers can easily compare various bus operators, routes, and ticket prices, ensuring they find the best option to suit their preferences and budget. Moreover, AbhiBus provides secure online booking facilities, allowing travelers to reserve their seats in advance and avoid last-minute hassles.
