subject: Sri Rama Navami [print this page] Sri Rama Navami Sri Rama Navami
BIRTH OF LORD SRI RAMA :
The Birthday of Lord Sri Rama is known as Sri Rama Navami or Sri RAMA Jayanti. This occasion is observed on Chaitra Shukla Navami. It is the ninth day in Shukla Paksha during Chaitra month. The year 2011 celebrates Sri Rama Navami on April 12. The nine day worship of Lord Sri Rama starts on Chaitra Shuklla Padyami and concludes on Chaitra Shukla Navami. Sri Rama Navami is an occasion that marks the culmination of Sri Rama Navaratri.
Lord Sri Rama is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On Rama Navami, RamaChandra was born in Ayodhya when the five planets and the sun , were in the first house of Cancer, along with the lunar asterism, at noon. He was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya of Ayodhya.
RITUALS :
Sri Rama Navami, the festival of birth of Sri Rama, is celebrated for nine days of the Navaratras. Akhand Paath, continuous recitals of Ramacharita manas is organized with kirtan and bhajan. The rituals are conducted in temples as well as houses. Idols of infant form of Lord Sri Rama are placed in the cradles , in the houses and temples and are rocked by the devotees. People fast by the day and chant Vedic mantras offering fruits, flowers and food items to Lord Sri Rama. In the afternoon, a coconut sheathed in a hooded cloak is placed in a cradle. The devotees rock the cradle; sprinkle a red, fragrant powder (gulal) and flowers on the cradle.
The devotees chant Sri Rama's name, sing bhajan-kirtan, do parayans of Ramayana and recite the Ramaraksha stotra. Shodashopachar puja, worship in sixteen steps is followed to worship Lord Sri Rama; unlike Lord Vishnu, as he is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Substances offered in the puja are :
Tulsi leaves or lotuses-help attract the pure particles of Lord Vishnu
Khir-a sweet delicacy made from milk and rice
Shira-(Naivedyam) a sweet delicacy made from ghee, sugar and semolina .
The above substances are Lord Vishnu's favorite patras. According to Science, the above substances used together help one's spiritual progress. These substances help generate Divine consciousness (Chaitanya) in the idol.
CELEBRATIONS:
CELEBRATIONS AT RISHIKESH :
Sri Rama Navami is celebrated for nine days at Rishikesh as follows:
During the period of these nine days, the people read the Ramayana and complete it.
The divine and the sacred mantras of Sri Rama are chanted.
The people who cannot read the whole Ramayana, listen to the chanting in the temples and houses.
In the evenings, special gatherings are held where the teachings of Lord Rama and his ideals are preached.
A sacred fire ceremony is performed.
The people fast on all the nine days and consume only milk and fruits.
The ninth day observes grand celebration. The temples are well decorated and a grand worship of Lord Rama is organized.
Books, booklets and leaflets are distributed to the devotees by the temple authority.
CELEBRATIONS AT BHADRACHALAM :
The divine wedding of Lord Sri Rama and Sita is conducted in the temple of Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami.
The occasion is performed for fifteen days here. From the day of Ugadi, Sri Sita Rama Brahmotsav is commenced.
Since the first day of Brahmotsav, special pujas and rituals are performed. Naivedyam, prepared from Neem flowers and buds is offered to Lord Rama and Sita.
Abhishekam is performed in the evening by the priests.
The puja ceremony is telecast on the T.V channels.
The celebration is concluded by Lord Sri Rama's Pattabhishekam and chariot ceremony (rathotsavam).
Celebration at Ayodhya :
Rama Navami is celebrated in a grand manner in Ayodhya. There are thousands of people and devotees, who gather at this place to celebrate this festival.
There is a special Rathayatra. This chariot procession is well known as the Shobha Yatras of Lord Rama , Lakshmana, Sita, and Hanuman.
People take a holy dip in the holy waters of River Sarayu.
People fast on this day. They take satvik food, the food without salt.
Some people fast for the whole day without drinking water , that is Nirjal Fast.
In temple, people sing bhajans, kirtans, tell stories of Lord Rama and praise Lord Rama.
TRADITIONAL FOOD :
There are many traditional food prepared on Rama Navami at home. On this auspicious celebration day; Kalakand, Cucumber Chutney, Neer Mor, Methi and Palak Pulav, Jeera Aloo, etc are prepared. This special food is shared by the devotees in the temples and at homes.
IDEALISM :
The word Rama has a divine power to destroy sins, removing ignorance and spreading peace in the world. As soon as we open our mouth to chant the word RAMA', all our sins are removed from our body with the spell of Ra'. When the mouth closes with m', all the sins are stopped from entering our soul. The word RAMA signifies divinity, sanctity and sweetness. So, it is wise to chant the word RAMA', with the possession of the knowledge of what the word RAMA' means. The chanting of the name of Lord Rama has the divine power of destroying all evils and bad deeds.
Lord Vishnu took the form of human as Rama and stepped down on Earth to destroy evil that prevailed for a long period of time. Every human being of India tries to be as ideal as Lord Rama. The word Rama means righteousness. Rama and Dharma mean the same.
We must chant the word RAMA' with BHAKTI' that means DEVOTION'. Our heart purifies and becomes sinless by the chanting of the word RAMA'. We must adhere the habit of soft and sweet speech. Rama lives in the pure heart filled with love and devotion. One should remember the name of Lord Rama with love. We can realize the presence of God only through love and by no other means.
On this celebration of Sri Ram Navami, be divinely blessed by gifting your dear ones with special Sri Ram Navami gifts. Sri Ram Navami gift ideas from inhyderabad shall surely help you choose the right gift for your dear ones to send to Hyderabad by placing order online. The special gifts from the store of Sri Ram Navami gifts from inhyderabadmall shall really make your dear ones feel happy about your choice.
www.inhyderabadmall.com/ wishes everyone on the auspicious occasion of Sri Ram Navami.
