In Treta yug era Lord Vishnu incarnated as Ram through King Dasharath’s wife Kaushalya in Punarvasu Nakshatra (seventh planet) and Kark Lagna (Cancer ascendant) on Chaitra Shukla Navami (ninth day in the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Chaitra). Eminent Poet Tulsi Das started composing his great epic Ram CharitManas on this auspicious day only. The devotees take a bath in Saryu River and do Pooja (worship) of Shri Ram with Vedic Purushsukta Mantras (hymns from Vedas). The temples are illuminated, and murtis of Lord Ram are adorned with new attractive clothes and ornaments. The Complete Ramayan is read without any break (Akhand Path) in the temples and houses till next morning. Nritya (dances) are kept up, during whole night, the celebration concludes on the next day. This day reminds us about the righteousness of Lord Shri Ram, his devotion to his teacher, removal of nepotism, shelter to the refugee, brotherhood, devotion to parents, monogamy. Personality of Lord Ram expresses him as very popular among the people like:
Lokabhiramam Ranrangdhiram, Rajeev Netram Raghuvanshnatham, Karunyaroopam Karunakaramtam Shri Ramchandram Sharanam Prapadye.
Means, ”I bow myself before the God, who has given full happiness to the world, a great warrior, whose eyes are like lotus, the Lord born in the Raghuvansh (family dynasty of Raghu), Merciful, full of kindness.”
Aum Namah Shivaye
Source: Book: Hindu Festivals By Shashi Kant Kaushik