Observing Sri Rama Navami

April 11, 2000

Re: The Date on Which to Observe Sri Rama Navami

Dear Rama Bhaktas,

Here's some information on the date to celebrate Sri Rama Navami.

I will first discuss the appropriate date for Indian Standard

Time.

Chaitra Shukla Navami (the ninth day after the new moon in the

month of Chaitra), Punarvasu Nakshatram, Karkataka Lagnam are the

date, nakshatram, and lagnam at which time Sri Rama is said to have

been born. It is recorded that Sri Rama was born at noon.

This year, Chaitra Shukla Navami falls on April 12th (Indian

Standard Time). However, Karkataka Lagna and 12:00 noon can

coincide only on or after the Solar New Year (April 13). So, according

to some interpretations of the circumstances surrounding

Sri Rama's birth, the birthday must fall on April 13. (see

more details). Furthermore, there are some guidelines that

dictate when a Navami actually is Sri Rama Navami, which depend

once again on the exact timings of the period of Navami vis-a-vis

sunrise, etc.

The bottom line is that there are differing interpretations

of the times which lead to two days being observed as Sri Rama Navami:

April 12: observed by followers of munitraya sampradAya

(including Andavan Ashramam, Poundarikapuram Ashramam)

and Ahobila Matham. smArtas also probably observe on this

day.

April 13: Most other Sri Vaishnavas, particularly around temples

including Kanchipuram Varadaraja Swami temple, Tiruvallikkeni,

etc. Most Pancaratra temples will be observing this date.

Once again, this is all for Indian Standard Time.

For people living east of India, such as in Singapore, etc., it

is probably more appropriate for all of you irrespective of

sampradAya to observe Sri Rama Navami on April 13, as April 12

has far too much Ashtami in it given your timezone.

For people living west of India, it appears that one should

do on the date as if one were in India.

adiyen

mani ramanuja dasan

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