Ram Navami and Realizing Ram Rajya Within

April 15 (Friday), 2016 is the day the entire nation of India along with the Indian diaspora will celebrate the birth of their most righteous King, Lord Rama as Ram Navami Puja. Believed to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Rama was the virtuous being that would put an end to all that was evil on Earth. Temples and home shrines are decorated and prayers are held to revere the great king.

Getting Ready for Ram Navami Puja

First and foremost clean your house before the puja

Place the idol of Shree Ram in the puja room or altar. The idols or images of Goddess Sita, Lakshmana and Lord Hanuman should be placed next to Rama’s idol.

Ramnavami puja should be performed at noon as the Lord was born at noon.

All the members of the family should come together while performing the puja.

The items to offer are listed: incense sticks, diyas, sweets, flowers etc.

Tulsi leaves and fruits should also be an offering

Other items include holy water, roli, kumkum and rice

Keep handy a book of holy mantras and Ramayana. It can also be played in a music system.

After aarti, tilak should be applied on the forehead of the family members and a Prasad should be distributed.

People may break their fast with the puja Prasad.

Ram bhajan or the Vishnu Sahasranama can be recited.

People can also visit temples and listen to Ram janam Katha

Bala kand and sundrakand, the legends from Ramayan can be read.

Ram Navami Puja

Ram Navami puja at home commences at a clean puja altar where devotees decorate the idols of Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman with flowers and placing flowers and incense sticks at the dais. Two thalis should be kept ready; one thali must contain the puja samagri such as roli, aipun, rice, holy water or Gangajal, flowers, a bell and conch; the other thali must hold the Prasad. The youngest female member of the family must apply tilak or teeka to all the male members and start the puja ritual. Female members must also apply a red bindhi on their forehead. Bhajans praising the Lord must be sung during the entire puja. The puja includes sprinkling holy water, roli and aipum on the deity and showering Him with rice. This should be done by all family members. Later the aarti must be performed for which everyone must stand up. The aarti plate lighted with camphor or wicks soaked in Ghee must be circulated around the deity by everyone. As the puja concludes holy water must be sprinkled over everyone and Prasad should be distributed.

Spiritual Significance of Ram Navami

Lord Rama is believed to be noble, brave and free of malevolence. He, with His divinity teaches the world the importance of following Dharma. He was an ideal son, an ideal husband, an ideal brother, an ideal friend and an ideal ruler; with these characteristics He teaches mankind the quality of righteousness. The period that He ruled His kingdom was known as Ram Rajya, which signifies happiness, prosperity, justice, equality and righteousness. Ram Rajya is also a state of mind to empower ourselves with the destination we aspire to reach.

Ram Navami is the opportunity to fill our mind with the spirit of Ram and inculcate ourselves with His qualities. One can only be a true worshiper of Rama when he or she removes all their malice and with true devotion merges themselves with Lord Himself.