Introduction

Ram Navami is an auspicious festival enthusiastically celebrated by the Hindus. It is celebrated in the memory of Lord Ram’s birthday. The festival falls on the ninth day of Chaitra month in Hindu calendar and in the month of April according to the English calendar. Ram is one of the most revered deities according to Hindu tradition. He is considered to be “Maryadapurusottam” meaning “Integrity Personified Human Par Excellence”. He symbolizes astute Human integrity and strength. Thus, Ram Navami is also celebration of Humanity and all human aspirations.

Legend of Ram

Ram is the hero of Hindus’s epic Ramayana. He is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ram was the first son of Dashratha; the king of Ayodhya and queen Kausalya. He was born when Dashratha performed a Yagya to Agni; the fire God and so Ram was the most loved child of his mother and father. During his youth he was to be ascended to the throne by his father but was put to exile by the king himself as he had to keep a promise given to his third wife Kakayee. Kind Dahratha was very fond of his third wife who wanted her son Bharat to become the King of Ayodhya. She asked him to fulfill his promised he once gave to the queen. Kakayee asked for his son to become the kings and Ram to be exiled. Ram preferred to go to the jungle and as the promise of his father was to be honored rather then becoming the king of Ayodhya. Ram along with his wife Sita and brother Laksham was banished to the Jungle for 14 longs year. In the course of exile the Demon King of Lanka- Ravana kidnapped Sita. A fierce battle between the Ram and Ravana took place, where Ram along with his army of Monkeys won the battle after slaying Demon Ravana and his clan. The whole life of Ram is manifestation for the highest degree of Human Dharma and Ideals.

Celebration

The celebration of Ram Navami is very elaborate and full of traditional rituals and customs. People observe this day by keeping day long fast. The diet of the devotee on this day excludes haldi (turmeric), garlic, ginger or onion. Fruit, vegetables, curd, tea, coffee, milk, water etc. are allowed.

People visit the temple of Ram and seek his blessings for fulfill their desires. Bajans, Kirtan in the praise of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman is held in every household. The altar is decorated with the images of the deities. They are offered with flowers and Incenses. Two Thalis are put in front of the Pooja area. One thali contains the Prasad of the Pooja and other items like puja like roli, aipun, rice, water, flowers, a bell and a conch. Devotees then perform elaborate Pooja with the Akthand Path of Ramayan or Ramchritmanas. After the completion of Pooja, the image of Ram, Lakshman and Sita is taken to the procession on the street.