Celebrating Rama Navami: Birth of the divine prince of Ayodhya

by Ram Nayar Sr. Content Writter

Rama Navami in 2016 falling on April 15, (Friday) is observed to commemorate the auspicious birth of Lord Rama born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya. Regarded as Sri Rama, the Lord is the ninth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu who was approached by the denizens of heavenly planets to descend on the earth in order to reduce her burden caused by the radical rulings of demonic kings headed by King Ravana.

This holy festival typically falls in Shukla Paksha on the ninth day of Chaitra Month (March/April). The beginning of Rama Navami is the end of Vasant Navaratri or Chaitra Navaratri which marks the festival rituals performed in praise of Goddess Durga. In the Bhadrachalam region of Telangann, the Rama Navami festival also celebrated as the wedding anniversary of the Lord and His eternal wife Sita.

Prayers to Lord Rama: Bhajans, devotional songs, kirtan and more!

As soon as the day of Rama Navami approaches, devotees and people in general engage in various auspicious preparations such as decorating the temples of Lord Rama, but the most prominent are devotional songs (bhajans), Bhakti (Devotional services to the Lord), recitals of Sanskrit verses from the great epic Ramayana or Shri Ramcharitmanas Paath - Aakhand Ramayanaany which is an epic poem in Awadhi composed by Tulsidas, an ardent devotee of Lord Ram.

Following these devotional songs and activities, prasadam, blessed food such as fruits, kheer etc. are shared by all the devotees and others visiting the temples. The day also sees the holy meal programs organized by different Hindu communities.

Birth timing of Lord Rama and His purpose to descend:

From Vedic scriptures and other sources, it is believed that the Lord was born at noon. Holy places, pilgrimages, temples and shrines are ornately festooned and customary prayers offered to the Lord Rama and His divine consort Sita along with His Lakshmana and eternal servitor Hanuman are chanted together by devotees who offer flowers, fruits and other paraphernalia.

Vedic philosophy dictates that the Divine visits different planets of the universe for two purposes; to kill the demonic and attract the surrendered souls. The Lord was a descendant from Raghu or of one of the Suryavanshis (the descendants of Solar Dynasty), therefore He is called as Raghuvanshi, the descendant of Raghu Dynasty. He descended to slay the King of Lanka Ravana whose haughty attitude had caused constant disturbances on heaven, earth and in the underworld. Ravana, son of a highly qualified Brahmin Rishi Vishrava and wretched mother Kaikesi, was chastised by the Lord because of his unethical, mean and non-Vedic deeds of tormenting the innocent and killing thousands of lives. With matchless powers awarded by Lord Brahma, Ravana was practically unstoppable and self-obsessed, conquering in all directions the gods such as the king of heaven Indra, the Sun god Surya, Varuna and the death god Yamaraja, humans and animals.

He seized Lanka and performed great Vedic rites, rituals and sacrifices that made him crowned king of all three worlds. When Ravana kidnapped Sita, the divine consort of Lord Rama, there emerged a horrific war between the armies of Ravan and Rama that ended up with the death of Ravana.

Ram Navami is celebrates the birth of Divine Energy (Rama) of the Supreme that descended to displace the demonic militaries (Ravana and other merciless kings).

Observing vrata: Pleasing the Lord with penances and Ratha Yatras

Ardent devotees of Lord Rama observe vrata (fasting) the whole day before having fruits or other sattvik food items (excluding spicy/pungent items) in the evening. Some observe fasts the whole prior to the day of Rama Navami and break it by the end of the festival.

Shobha yatra or chariot processions (Rathyatras) of Rama, Sita, His brother Lakshman and servitor Lord Hanuman are organized and carried out in many cities. Ayodhya, Sita Samahit Sthal (in Bihar), Bhadrachalam (in Telangana) and Rameswaram (in Tamil Nadu) are the places where the celebrations are held with great enthusiasm.

Spiritual significance of Rama Navami: Pastimes of Lord Rama worth reading!

It is believed that listening to or reading Ramayana in the early morning cleanses the mind, body, heart and soul. Meditating on the noble Rama and chanting His name is one of the greatest devotional services one can ever execute to please the Divine. One can also wear energized Twelve Mukhi Rudraksha beads, gemstones, lockets or Rama Raksha yantras to increase one’s spiritual strengths and devotion to the Lord.

Ram Navami Muhurat

· Rama Navami Puja Muhurat - 11:04 to 13:37 (Duration - 2 Hours 32 Minutes)

· Rama Navami Madhyahna Moment - 12:21

· Navami Tithi Begins - 21:29 on 14th April

· Navami Tithi Ends - 22:03 on 15th April