When is Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 starts on September 14, marking the beginning of the 10-day grand Ganeshotsav festival in Maharashtra.

Does this calendar include Maharashtra state holidays?

Yes, we track all official public holidays in Maharashtra, including Maharashtra Day, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, and Ambedkar Jayanti.

How do I know which exact day to perform a specific Puja?

Our calendar maps major festivals to the primary civil day of observance. For exact fractional Tithi bounds, please visit our Daily Panchang page.

When is Ram Navami celebrated in 2026 in Maharashtra?

Ram Navami 2026 will be celebrated on Thursday, March 26, 2026 (Chaitra Shukla Navami). The Navami tithi runs throughout the day, with the primary celebrations culminating at noon.

What is the exact Ram Navami 2026 Madhyahna Muhurat?

The auspicious Madhyahna Kaal (Ram Janma window) on Thursday, March 26, 2026, is from 11:15 AM to 01:42 PM (duration: 2 hours 27 minutes). The peak birth moment is observed exactly at 12:28 PM.

What is Sunthwada and why is it distributed on Ram Navami?

Sunthwada is an authentic Maharashtrian prasad made from dry ginger powder (Sunth), jaggery, grated dry coconut, and nutmeg. In traditional Ayurveda, this warming mixture is fed to mothers after delivering a baby. It is prepared on Ram Navami to commemorate Mother Kaushalya giving birth to Lord Rama.

What is the historical link between Samarth Ramdas and Ram Navami in Maharashtra?

In the 17th century, Samarth Ramdas Swami, the spiritual guide of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, built hundreds of Ram and Maruti temples across Maharashtra and transformed Ram Navami into a massive community festival to build moral discipline and unite the people under the ideal of Dharma.

Is Ram Navami a government holiday in Maharashtra?

Yes, Ram Navami is an official public holiday across Maharashtra. Banks, government offices, schools, and colleges remain closed.

Ram Navami 2026 | राम नवमी २०२६

Ram Navami 2026 Birth Noon Cradle Maharashtra

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About Ram Navami(उत्सव माहिती)

Ram Navami (रामनवमी) is celebrated with heartfelt devotion across Maharashtra, marking the auspicious birth of Maryada Purushottam Lord Rama at precisely high noon (Madhyahna Kaal). It also represents the divine culmination of the nine-day Chaitra Vasantik Navratri.

In iconic Maharashtrian shrines like the historic Kalaram Temple in Panchavati (Nashik — where Lord Rama spent years of his Vanvas exile), Ram Mandirs in Pune, and historic Mathas across the state, congregations gather from 10:00 AM onwards for the devotional *Kirtan* recital recounting the Ramayana. As the clock strikes 12:00 PM noon, the temple conch shells resound, bells chime enthusiastically, and a silken veil over the flower-decked baby cradle is lifted. Devotees shower fragrant Gulal and fresh flower petals, singing the immortal Marathi lullaby: *'श्रीरामचंद्र कृपाळू भजु मन, हरण भवभय दारुणं'* and *'पाळणा सजवा ग बाई, श्रीराम जन्मले!'*.

The signature culinary hallmark of Ram Navami across every Maharashtrian household is Sunthwada (सुंठवडा) — a warm, peppery, restorative dry prasad made from powdered dry ginger (Sunth), crushed sugar or jaggery, grated dry coconut (Khobara), cardamom, and nutmeg. Because it is given to new mothers in Ayurveda after childbirth, offering Sunthwada on Ram Navami honors Mother Kaushalya and revives seekers under the blazing Chaitra afternoon sun.

History: The history and sacred lore of Ram Navami are intimately connected to Maharashtra's soil:

1. The Treta Yuga Incarnation: According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Lord Rama was born in Ayodhya during the Punarvasu Nakshatra under Cancer ascendant (Karka Lagna) at high noon, incarnating as the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu to vanquish Ravana and establish *Ramrajya* — an ideal society governed by justice, compassion, and Dharma.

2. Maharashtra's Intimate Bond with Ramayana: Lord Rama spent long years of exile in Maharashtra's Dandakaranya forest, particularly Panchavati (Nashik), where Mother Sita was abducted and where Lakshmana cut Surpanakha's nose. Saint-poet Sant Eknath wrote the beloved *Bhavartha Ramayana*, infusing Maharashtra's countryside with devotion for Lord Rama's virtue.

3. Samarth Ramdas & Maratha Revival: The spiritual Guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Samarth Ramdas Swami, established over 1,100 Maruti and Ram temples throughout Maharashtra in the 17th century. He revitalized Ram Navami as a public celebration to inspire physical vigor, self-discipline, and moral courage among the youth to fight for Swarajya.

Significance: The observance of Ram Navami carries profound philosophical, physiological, and social value:

Madhyahna Kaal Janmotsav: Unlike most avatar celebrations that happen at night or dawn, Rama's appearance occurs at noon when the sun shines brightest, reflecting his descent from the illustrious Suryavanshi solar dynasty.
Ayurvedic Wisdom of Sunthwada & Panakam: In late March, the scorching summer heat triggers dehydration and lethargy. The spicy ginger in Sunthwada stimulates digestive fire (Jatharagni), while sweet, cooling *Panakam* (raw mango and jaggery water with black pepper) acts as an instant natural electrolyte.
Ramrajya Moral Compass: The observance reminds society of selfless duty, filial reverence, and upright governance in daily civic life.

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Early morning holy bath, wearing traditional festive attire, and reading the Ram Janma chapter from Bhavartha Ramayana or Tulsi Ramcharitmanas.

Setting up a miniature wooden cradle (Palana) decorated with marigolds, mogra flowers, and silk pillows before the home altar.

Attending midday temple Kirtan or holding family singing sessions leading up to 12:00 PM.

At the stroke of 12:00 noon, conducting the Ram Janma ceremony: gently rocking the baby idol in the cradle and showering flowers and Gulal.

Distributing freshly ground Sunthwada prasad and refreshing sweet Panakam among all family members and visitors.

Performing Rama Panchayatan Pujan (Lord Rama, Sita Mata, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna, and Lord Hanuman).

Concluding the 9-day Chaitra Navratri fast with an evening feast of Puran Poli and Katachi Amti.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Sunthwada (dry ginger powder blended with crushed jaggery, desiccated coconut, and cardamom — the traditional post-partum nourishment offered to Mother Kaushalya)

Panakam / Kairi Panha (traditional summer cooler made with raw mango pulp, jaggery, black pepper, and cardamom)

Puran Poli served with pure cow ghee and fragrant Katachi Amti

Mattha (spiced Maharashtrian buttermilk with roasted cumin, green chillies, ginger, and fresh coriander)

Moong Dal Kosambari / Koshimbir (soaked yellow lentils with fresh grated coconut, raw mango bits, and mustard seed tempering)