Celebrating Sri Ram Navami

Ram Navami is a Hindu festival which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ram. People in India celebrate this festival with great joy, pomp and devotion. People visit sacred places like Ram Temples or birth place of Ram to worship Lord Ram. Read on to know more about the celebration of Ram Navami festival.Sri Ram, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, was born on Ram Navami. This falls on the ninth day of Chaitra, a month from the Hindu calendar. The celebration of Ram Navami starts nine days before the date, which falls on the first day of the month, Chaitra and on the ninth day, the birth of Lord Ram takes place. People sing holy songs and recite hymns glorifying Lord Ram from the famous Hindu Epic, Ramayana. It is celebrated with pomp and show throughout India, specially North India. In this articleHindu FestivalWorshipping Infant RamRam Navami Poojas and ChantsNine Day CelebrationVisiting Sacred PlacesOrganising Cultural ProgrammesSignificance and Celebration of Ram Navami Read more to find about the significance and celebration of Ram Navami in India.Hindu Festival Ram Navami is celebrated mostly by the devotees of Lord Ram. However, supporters of Lord Shiva also celebrate Ram Navami with great vigour and passion. Many people keep fast on this auspicious day and this is mainly to seek flawlessness as a human being.Worshipping Infant Ram In the afternoon the idol of infant Ram or a coconut covered with red cloth is placed on a cradle and birth of Lord Ram is celebrated. After the pooja people are given Prasad which usually comprises of fruits and sweets.Ram Navami Poojas and Chants Elaborate poojas are held and people chant the name of Lord Ram the whole day. Temples are decorated and the deity of Ram is also decorated with new silk fabric, flowers and jewelry. Ramayana is read and several stories of Ram and his good deeds are told the whole day.Nine Day Celebration In some places the celebration lasts for nine days and procession along with enacting small skits are taken out on the streets. Small children dressed like Lord Ram and Goddess Seeta are seated on different types of vehicles and are taken through the streets. People literally pray with hands joined together and this shows real devotion and dedication. In villages the procession is taken out on even horse driven chariots as still in some places people are attached to traditions and carry out ancient customs.Visiting Sacred Places Sacred places that are related to Lord Ram and his life like Ayodhya, Ujjain and Rameshwaram are places of attraction that day. People travel long distances to go there to worship Lord Ram. People visit Rameshwaram and take bath in the sea and some auspicious and propitious Kunds before they visit the temple. It is believed that when taking bath from the waters of the Kund, people get cleaned from within and then when they worship the Lord, they find themselves closer and blessed.Organising Cultural Programmes People also enjoy fireworks on Ram Navami and fete and many other cultural organisations are designed at many places. In some places community lunch is also prearranged. There are millions of devotees of Lord Ram and it is because people consider him as Maryada Purushottam, which means ideal in every aspect and field of life and relationships. The best and the most remarkable thing about Ram Navami is that it is considered as festival when it is celebrated collectively and is a holy festival when it is celebrated individually. People try to develop the qualities of Ram and everyone wants to become like him. The deeds of Ram are enacted and preached in many places. Children get motivated and influenced by the activities of Lord Ram and some of them try to develop some of the qualities in them. In addition to understanding the significance and celebration of Ram Navami, this festival and occasion brings in new hope and helps inculcate Indian tradition and culture in the present generation.