How to celebrate Rama Navami and its importance
Rama Navami is the birthday celebration of Lord Rama also called ‘Maryada Purushottam’. Lord Rama was the son of Queen Kausalya and King Dasharatha of Ayodhya Nagri. It is said that he is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This day is enjoyed on the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra that is on the ninth day called Navami. It is also known by the name of Chaitra Suklapaksha Masa Navami. It is one of the most famous festivals in Hindu festivals. This festival is celebrated for nine days and is called Navaratri or Sri Rama Navaratra. Many Bhajan, kirtan along with aartis are done during these days. Social gatherings are also done on this occasion. It is believed that God Rama was born at noon. Temples and houses are decorated for this occasion and various prayers and mantras are chanted. Havans and vedic mantras are chanted to please God. Groups are made and the name of Rama is chanted all over the night.
Allthough the festival is celebrated all around India, there are few places where it is celebrated with great pomp and show. These places are Ayodhya, in Uttar Pradesh, Sitamarhi also called Sita Samahit Sthal in Bihar and Bhadrachalam that is in Telangana. Very large number of people chant the name of Lord Rama together in these places. Yatra’s of Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Sita Mata are done. In Ayodhya, thousands of people take dip in the holy River as it is believed that doing this will clean all their sins.
What is the history of this occasion?
There is a legend that in Ayodhya, king Dashratha had three wives, they were Kaikeyi, Sumitra and Kausalya in the Satya yuga. All his wives had children, namely Rama, Lakshman, Shatrughna and Bharata. Lord Rama is considered to be the perfect human, best son, husband, father and brother. He is well known for giving victory of Dharma over Adharma as he killed the demon Ravana the king of Lanka. Many of the worshippers take the name of God Ram before every work they do.
How is this day celebrated?
Kalyanotsavam or marriage of small idols of Rama and Sita is conducted on this day in the South India. Vasanthothsava or Chaitra Navaratri that is a nine day festival, starts with Gudi Padwa. It is said that in 5114 BC in January, Rama was born and after that Treta Yug was started. Three main things of this day are ‘Kalyanam’, that is a marriage ceremony of God Rama and Sita, ‘Panakam’ that is a sweet prepared on the day, and ‘Procession’ that is colors and water, which are used to play and celebrate. People keep fast on this day and Ramayana is also read. Shree Rama and his brothers and wife are worshipped and pooja is done. Idols of Rama, Sita are kept in the middle and people sit around it and pray in groups. In ISKCON temples, this festival is celebrated with lots of zeal. On Rama Navami, the birth celebration of Swaminarayan (Born in Chhapaiya) is also celebrated.