subject: Birth Of Lord Rama The Reason Behind Celebrating Ram Navami [print this page] Sri Ram Navami is a festival celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Rama in Ayodhya. Ram is the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Ram was born as the eldest son of Dasharatha and Kausalya. This festival falls in Navami which is ninth day of Chaitra month as per Hindu calendar. This festival is also called as Chaitra Masa Shuklapaksha Navami which marks the end of Chaitra-Navratri celebrations.
The epic, Ramayana was written by Maharishi Valmiki. As per the epic Dasharatha, the king of Ayodhya had three wives named Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi in the Treta Yuga. Even after his marriage to three women, Dasharatha was childless for a long time. Rishi Vasishtha suggested him to perform Putra Kameshti Yagna to fulfill his desire of having a child. It was because of this Yagna Lord Rama was born to Kausalya and King Dasharatha. In Hindu Mythology it is believed that whenever there is an eruption of evil power in Earth, Lord Vishnu takes birth on Earth. During this period when Rama was born in Ayodhya the demon Ravana was trying to spread Adharma in Earth. The birth of Lord Rama was celebrated with great passion as the knowledgeable persons of that time visualized that the child born at Ayodhya is not an ordinary child.
The great day on which king Rama was born is celebrated as Ram Navami in India. The day marks end of the nine day Utsava called Chaitra Navaratri or Vasantostava which is spring festival. Vasantostava starts with Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra. This day one could witness many ceremonial wedding performed by temple priests for masses. Panagam, a sweet drink is prepared by mixing Jaggery and pepper is consumed by devotees. Long processions of Ramas idols are taken on streets. These idols are placed in palanquins which starts from temple and the procession are carried throughout the city. Many devotees observe fast on this day. Sri Rama Navami is dedicated for remembering Rama as supreme power and a savior of his devotees. Ram Navami is celebrated with religious pomp and harmony in temple at Ayodhya. Devotees take a dip in Sarayu River and then visit to temples. The gathering of devotees is called Ram Navami Mela.
This year Sri Ram Navami will celebrate on 1st of April 2012. Now a days Ram Navami celebrations include decorating Ram Mandir with illuminating lights and taking processions of idol accompanied by chanting of Jai Sri Ram.
