Ram Navami marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama. It is considered as one of the five major Hindu festivals. According to mythology, Sri Rama was the 7th incarnation or avatar of Lord Vishnu. He was born on the ninth day of the lunar month of Chaitra.
Celebrated as the day of descent of Lord Rama to Earth to save the world from the demon king Ravana, Rama Navami is a festival cherished by the ardent devotees of the Supreme Lord.
Ram Navami is a Hindu Spring festival which falls on the ninth day of month Chaitra. On this auspicious day, followers of Lord Rama keep a day-long fast. The fast begins in the morning and extends till the sunrise of the following day. Devotees also worship God by listening or reciting the epic Ramayana. The festival is also celebrated by performing the ceremonial wedding of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
The Significance of Ram Navami
Lord Rama was considered the 7th avatar of the Supreme Lord Vishnu and one of the most popular incarnations alongside Lord Krishna and Lord Parshuram. He was born to Queen Kausalya and King Dasharatha, ruler of the kingdom of Kosala, in a place called Ayodhya (city in modern-day Uttar Pradesh).
Considered as a supreme being, Lord Rama’s descent to the land of humans is celebrated as Rama Navami. Born on the ninth day of the lunar month Chaitra, the birth of Lord Rama in the Treta Yuga was for a noble cause. As he was the avatar of Lord Vishnu, it was believed that he would help the world get rid of the demon king Ravana.
Despite being a supreme being, Lord Rama ensured a life of hardships as common man. He was sent to exile by his father, King Dashrath on the orders of his stepmother Queen Kaikeyi. Being the dutiful son, He accepted his father’s commandment and went to exile with his wife and younger brother without any opposition. Thus, not only his name, but his deeds make his devotees worship him as a God and celebrate his birthday every year as festival of Rama Navami.
How is Ram Navami celebrated
Rama Navami 2023 is one of the major Hindu festivals and is celebrated with great fervor. On Rama Navami, lots of devotees visit temples. Some devotees delight in giving a bath and dressing up tiny idols of Rama and later place them in a cradle. A lamp is also lit in front of the idol, and kheer is made as an offering to God.
Some devotees celebrate Navami by giving food to the needy. Kanya Pooja is also performed on this day, wherein nine girls are invited to the devotee’s home and treated with respect as Hindus feel that they represent the goddesses. Prasad comprising halwa and puri is also prepared and offered to the girls.
The day begins with devotees offering prayers to the Sun. The Sun is a symbol of power, and it is believed to be Rama’s ancestor. Hence, it is believed that praying to the Sun in the morning to seek divine blessings is auspicious.
Devotees of Rama spend the day singing devotional songs and listening to recitals from religious books, and chanting Vedic hymns. Priests preach sermons from the religious texts. Some keep fast for the entire day. All these practices help purify the mind and the body. At the end of the day, devotees have fruits and sweets to break the fast. The chariot procession or Rath Yatra is an important part of the festival.
The images of Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman are placed in a decorated chariot and taken out in a procession on the streets. Taking a bath in the river Sarayu in Ayodhya is another important ritual. It is believed to purify the body and soul. In South India, the festival is also celebrated as the wedding anniversary of Rama and Sita.
Wishes on Rama Navami:
The festival of Ram Navami is one of the most celebrated festivals amongst the devotees of Lord Rama.
Blossom Inc wishes all their customers, partners, system integrators and resellers, “Happy Ram Navami”
May all of you be bestowed with peace, happiness, wealth, and prosperity.
