Rama

Rise early, take a sacred bath with Ganga jal if available. Wear clean yellow or saffron clothes. Observe a fast until Madhyahna (noon) puja.

Fill a copper or brass kalash with water, place 5 mango leaves on top and a whole coconut. Draw a swastika on the kalash with kumkum. This represents the invocation of all sacred rivers.

Place the Rama idol or image (ideally with Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman) on a clean platform facing east. Spread yellow cloth beneath. Place the cradle nearby for the Bal Rama ceremony.

Perform the 16-step worship: Avahana, Asana, Padya, Arghya, Achamana, Snana, Vastra, Yagnopavita, Gandha, Pushpa, Dhupa, Deepa, Naivedya, Tambula, Pradakshina, and Mantra Pushpanjali — offering each to Lord Rama with devotion.

Bathe the Rama idol with Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar) in the given order, then with Ganga jal or clean water. Wipe gently and place back on the altar.

Dress the idol in yellow cloth (pitambar). Apply chandan (sandalwood paste) and kumkum tilak. Offer tulsi mala (garland) and red-yellow flowers.

In many traditions, the marriage of Rama and Sita (Sita Kalyanam) is ceremonially enacted — garlands are exchanged between Rama and Sita idols, symbolizing their divine union described in Ramayana.

At Madhyahna (exact noon — the birth moment of Rama), place a small baby Rama idol in the decorated cradle. Swing the cradle gently while singing devotional songs. Blow the conch and ring bells to celebrate the birth.

Recite selected chapters from Ramayana — particularly Bal Kanda (birth chapter) from Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas or Valmiki Ramayana. Many devotees recite Sundarkand for Hanuman's blessings.

Light incense sticks and wave before the idol. Then light the ghee lamp and perform the ritual lamp waving — 3 times at the feet, 2 at the navel, 1 at the face, 7 times around the full form.

Perform aarti of Lord Rama by singing "Aarti Shri Ramchandra Ji Ki" with the camphor lamp. Ring the bell continuously during aarti.

Offer fruits, kheer (rice pudding), panjeeri, coconut, and sattvic food to Lord Rama. Sprinkle water around the offerings and chant the naivedya mantra.

Circumambulate the idol 3 times chanting "Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram." Offer final prayers for dharma, protection, and the welfare of all beings.