Ram Navami
Ram Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Shri Rama. According to mythology, Dasaratha, king of Ayodhya had three wives, none of whom was able to bear him a heir. After performing many yagnas, his three wives gave birth to four children, Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughan. The story of Rama is known as the Ramayana, of Hinduism's holy texts.
The festival is celebrated of the ninth day (navami) of the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. This occurs in the March-April period.
For the occasion, Hindus are supposed to fast (or restrict themselves to a specific diet). Temples are decorated and readings of the Ramayana take place. Along with Shri Ram, people also pray to Sita (Ram's wife), Laskhman (his brother who went on exile with him) and Hanuman (monkey god and Ram's chief of army).
