Ramnavami celebrations begin with a prayer to the Sun early in the morning. At mid-day, when the scriptures say Lord Rama was born, a special prayer is chanted. In northern India, especially, an event that draws eager and popular participation is the Ramnavami procession. The main attraction in this procession is a gaily-decorated chariot carrying actors dressed up as Rama and Queen Sita, his brother Laxman, and his disciple Hanuman.

Panakam (Jaggery water with dried Ginger)

Ingredients:

• Powdered Jaggery - 1 Cup.
• Lime juice – very little.
• Dried ginger Powder - ½ Tsp.
• Crushed Cardamom – ¼ teaspoon
• Water - 3 Cups

Method:

• Mix the Jaggery in water and dissolve it well.
• Filter the dirt from the Jaggery water in a cloth.
• Add lemon juice, dried ginger powder, Cardamom powder
• Mix this well and serve chilled.

Navami Pulav:

Ingredients:

• Basmati rice 30 gm.
• Chopped carrot 50 gm.
• Chopped potato 30 gm.
• Chopped onion 30 gm.
• Chopped peas 30 gm.
• Chopped French beans 30 gm.
• Bay leaf 1 pc
• Salt According to taste
• Cloves / long cardamom 2 pieces
• Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp.
• Ghee (clarified butter) 1 tsp./5 ml.

Method:

• Soak the rice for at least half an hour.
• Heat the ghee in a pressure cooker.
• Add cumin seeds and bay leaf (tej patta) and let it sizzle.
• Add all the chopped vegetables (carrots, potatoes, peas, onion, and beans).
• Stir well and lower the flame. Add rice and mix well.
• Pour 100 ml. of water to the rice and vegetables.
• Add salt according to taste.
• Close the lid of the cooker and increase the flame. When it starts bubbling and steaming, put the weight and lower the flame.
• Cook for 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Greeting cards and post cards are sent to friends and relatives with pictures of Rama. People greet one another with, “Jai Sri Ram.”