Ram Navami Celebrations
Ram Navami is a major Hindu festival which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. Ram was born on the ninth day of the Hindu month of Chaitra during the waxing period of the moon (Shukla Paksha). It corresponds to the months of March–April according to the Gregorian calendar. Massive celebrations are held throughout the country on this day, and most temples are packed to capacity with an influx of pilgrims. Some parts of India observe the festivities for a period of nine days during the ‘Navaratras’ when Goddess Durga is worshiped
Some of the favorite features of the Ram Navami celebrations include singing religious songs, offering prayers, conducting grand homas, reading hymns, enacting scenes from the Ramayana (Ramleela) and observing a fast.
Devotees start the day by waking up early, having a bath and offering prayers to the Sun. They then recite Vedic hymns from the ‘Ramacharitra manas’ and the ‘Ramayana.’ Temples across the country conduct havans and arrange for bhajans and kirtans in praise of Lord Rama, all through the day. Fruits and sweets are distributed as Prasad to all those assembled after completion of the Poojas. Many devotees observe a fast and do not eat anything until midnight, after the end of all the rituals.
Chariot Parade
Devotees assemble in large numbers to witness the Chariot parade on the occasion of Ram Navami. Wooden or stone statues of Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman are placed on a colorfully decorated chariot and taken in a procession in the adjoining areas to allow people to have a Darshan of the deities. Many people participate actively in the parade, with some even dressing up like the deities and sitting on the chariots as it winds its way through the streets.
Ramleela Enactment
Ramleela is an essential part of the Rama Navami celebrations. Actors enact scenes from the life of Lord Rama, his retreat to the forest and his eventual victory over Ravana. It is generally performed in an open-air stage, and people sit as close as possible to the dais to get a better view of the proceedings. The concept of Ramleela is increasingly catching up in many places across the world.
Ram Navami Celebrations
Ram Navami celebrations are carried out in a big way in the city of Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram. Innumerable devotees congregate on the banks of the Sarayu River to take a holy dip on the day of Ram Navami. They then flock to the temples to take part in the worship and rituals. Places like Sita Samahit Sthal in Uttar Pradesh, Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh and Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu also grandly observe Ram Navami celebrations.
Some places in South India conduct traditional Ram Navami celebrations for a period of nine days. The wedding ceremony of Ram and Sita is also performed as a part of the festivities. A religious fervor grips the surroundings, with the sound of bhajan and kirtan recitals ringing through the air for the most part of the day. Many temples in Andhra Pradesh enact the marriage of Rama and Sita on the last day of the Ram Navami festival.
Many devotees in the region of Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh observe the day as ‘Sita kalyanam’ or the wedding anniversary of Rama and Sita. Some devotees in South India conduct Rama Navami Poojas in their homes and arrange for a procession of the deities in the evenings. Many people flock to temples for offering prayers and reciting mantras in praise of Lord Rama. Since Lord Rama was born at noon, the festivities reach a fever pitch at this time, and devotees sing and dance with a spiritual, religious fervor to mark the moment. Images of Devi Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman are also worshiped with equal zeal. A drink made of jaggery and pepper called ‘Panagam’ is also prepared and drunk by devotees as part of the celebrations.
Ram Navami is popularly called as ‘Vasantotsava’ in many regions of South India as it coincides with the onset of the spring season. All said and done; Ram Navami is a joyous occasion as it celebrates the birthday of the perfect human being who leaf behind a rich legacy and tradition for others to emulate.