Ramanavami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama,. On the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra the birth of Rama is commemorated. About the 4th century B.C., Valmiki wrote the story of Raam, in the epic known as Ramayana. Rama is supposed to have lived during the 8th or 7th century B.C. In some parts of India, it is a nine-day festival, coinciding with the Navaratri.

The public worship starts with morning ablutions, chanting mantras dedicated to Vishnu, and offering flowers and fruit to the god. People keep a fast throughout the day, breaking it only at midnight with fruit. In some parts of India, especially Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, public gatherings called satsangs are organised to commemorate the birth of Rama. Excerpts from the Ramacharitamanas, extolling the glory of Rama, are recited.

People sing devotional songs in praise of Rama and rock images of him in cradles to celebrate his birth. Rathyatras or chariot processions of Rama, his wife Sita, brother Laxmana and devotee Hanuman, are taken from many temples. People gather in thousands on the bank of the sacred river Saryu for a dip.