KATHMANDU – Today, devotees across Nepal are celebrating Ram Nawami, the sacred festival that commemorates the birth of Lord Ram, revered as Maryada Purushottam—the ideal man and upholder of dharma.

Also called Ram Jayanti, the occasion symbolizes the eternal victory of righteousness and truth over evil and ignorance.

Observed on Chaitra Shukla Nawami, the ninth day of the waxing moon in the lunar month of Chaitra, the festival honors the divine birth of Lord Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu scriptures, Ram was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in the ancient city of Ayodhya during the Treta Yuga.

The day is marked with devotion and spiritual rituals. Devotees engage in the recitation of Ram Katha and readings from holy scriptures such as the Ramayana, which narrate the life and noble deeds of Lord Ram. Temples and homes are filled with prayer and devotional music as people reflect on Ram’s virtues—his unwavering commitment to duty, justice, and moral integrity.

Since early morning, temples across Nepal have drawn large crowds. In the Kathmandu Valley, devotees have gathered in significant numbers at the Shree Ram temple in Battisputali, among others, offering prayers and seeking blessings.

In Janakpurdham—a city closely associated with Goddess Sita, Ram’s consort—thousands have assembled at the Ramjanaki Temple to take part in elaborate religious observances. A traditional fair is underway on the temple grounds, attracting pilgrims from both Nepal and India. Many devotees are also taking ritual baths in the sacred Gangasagar.

In keeping with tradition, numerous worshippers will stay awake through the night, singing devotional hymns and songs in praise of Lord Ram. His life continues to serve as a timeless example of ideal conduct—as a dutiful son, a compassionate ruler, and a champion of justice.

The reign of Ram in Ayodhya, known as Ram Rajya, remains a symbol of righteous governance, equality, and harmony. Believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Ram’s divine mission was to restore dharma by defeating evil forces—an enduring lesson that continues to inspire faith and virtue in generations to come.