Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday offered prayers to Lord Ram and participated virtually in the Surya Tilak ceremony at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir, as the nation celebrated Ram Navami — the birth anniversary of Lord Rama — with large gatherings of devotees at temples across the country.

Extending his wishes on X, PM Modi said the holy occasion of Lord Ram's birth festival should bring "new consciousness and fresh enthusiasm" into the lives of all citizens, and continuously energise the resolve to build a strong, prosperous, and capable India. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted the nation, describing Ram Navami as a festival that carries the message of religion, justice, and duty. She invoked Lord Ram's ideals of sacrifice, commitment, harmony, and bravery, and urged citizens to pledge to work together for a developed India on the auspicious occasion.

Large crowds thronged the Ram Mandir and temples across Ayodhya and the rest of the country to mark the occasion. Authorities put in place heightened security arrangements including drone surveillance and zonal crowd management systems to handle the influx of pilgrims safely.

Ram Navami is observed on the last day of Chaitra Navaratri each year. On this day, young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are traditionally offered gifts and prasad as part of the Kanya Pujan ritual.