Ram Navami Festival

Rama Navami is the day on which Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, incarnated in human form in the land of Ayodhya. He is the ardha ansh of Vishnu or has half the divinitive qualities of Lord Vishnu. The word "Rama" literally means one who is divinely blissful and who gives joy to others, and one in whom the sages rejoice.

Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra (April/May) (8 days after Yugādi) and coincides with Vasant Navratri or Chait Durga Puja. Therefore in some regions, the festival is spread over nine days. This day, marking the birthday of Lord Rama, is also observed as the marriage day of Rama and Sita and thus also referred to as Kalyanotsavam.

Significance of Ram Navami

The story of the Ramayan is a classic, eternal, universal message of Dharma versus adharma, of deva versus demon, of good versus evil, as represented in the battle between Rama and Ravana.

Ravana was a brahmin; he was a great scholar who wrote numerous works on scriptural philosophy. He was powerful, dynamic, and beautiful in appearance. As the brilliant, handsome king of Lanka, he had everything one would need to be happy and peaceful. Yet, he was arrogant, egoistic, greedy and lustful. His insatiable desires led him to crave more and more power, more and more money, and more and more ladies to fulfill his every whim.

There is one main difference: Bhagwan Rama's heart overflowed with divinity, love, generosity, humility, and a sense of duty. Ravana's heart, in contrast, was filled with avarice, hatred, and egoism. Under Bhagwan Rama's divine touch, the animals became his devotees and his divine helpers. Under Ravana's touch, even humans became animals.

Through his noble and divine choices, he teaches the world to choose dharma over Artha (when he leaves for the forest rather than be coronated as King) and to choose Moksha over Kama (when he chooses his kingdom over his marriage).

Ram Navami Celebrations

Sriramanavami is a major Hindu festival and is widely celebrated with great devotion. Shri Rama Navami is highly popular amongst Vaishnavites. Its celebration include:

• Narration of Ramayan take place on Rama Navami
• People recite Ramaraksha Stotra
• Kirtans are organised
• Idol of Shree Ram gets ready with beautiful ornaments and embellishments
• Idol of Lord Ram is swinged in the cradle

Puja Vidhi On Ramnavami

• Take bath and sit on a Puja place with all Pujan Samagri (items needed for Puja)
• Tulsi leaves or a lotus flower plays an important role for his worship
• The worship of Lord Ram begins with the sixteen steps known as Shodashopachar Puja
• Prepare Kheer & keep fruits as a Prashad
• After Puja, the youngest female in the house puts Tilak (vermillion on everyone's forehead)

WHY RAM NAVAMI IS IMPORTANT

• The victory of good over evil
  The importance of this festival clearly states the triumph of good over evil.
• It glorifies the power of religion
  Since the birth of Rama had the purpose of defeating the evil spirit of Ravana, the festival of Ram Navami glorifies the power of religion and faith.
• It signifies the removal of negativity
  Since Rama defeated Ravana and removed evil through good, this celebration also signifies how evil and negativity were removed from the world.

FIVE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT RAM NAVAMI

• 1. Rama is known as the epitome of perfection
  Rama is also known as Ramachandra and he is seen as the epitome of perfection, who fulfills all his responsibilities towards his family.
• 2. Rama was born at noon
  According to legend, it is known that Rama was born at noon in Ayodhya.
• 3. Siblings of Rama
  Rama had three siblings, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna.
• 4. Rama married Sita
  Rama married Sita who was the daughter of the King of Videha.
• 5. The story of Rama is written in the Ramayana
  The whole story of Rama is written in the Ramayana, an ancient Indian Sanskrit text, which is a part of the Hindu scripture.

Ram Navmi Legend

The story behind Shri Rama Navami starts with the King of Lanka, 'The Ravan'. In his rule, people were being terrorized and wanted to get freedom from his menace. Ravan had acquired the power from Lord Brahma that he would never get killed by the Gods or Yakshas (demigod). He was the most powerful of all. Therefore, due to this terrorism, all Gods went to Vishnu with a request for help. Thus, Kausalya, the wife of King Dasaratha, gave birth to Lord Ram. Since then, the day is celebrated as Sriramanavami. Also, on a Chaitra Shukla Navami only, Tulsidas had started writing Ramcharitmanas.

HOW TO OBSERVE RAM NAVAMI

• Create miniatures of Lord Rama
  On this Hindu festival, you create miniatures of Lord Rama or you can even dress up as Lord Rama to show your love for this festival.
• Give food to the needy
  You can donate food to the needy on this day. Devotees celebrate this day by giving food to the needy inside or outside the temples.
• Perform a ritual called 'Kanya Puja'
  This day is also celebrated by performing the 'Kanya Puja' ritual. In this ritual, 'Prasad' is distributed amongst girls in the form of halwa and puri (Indian food).

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