Ram Navami is an auspicious and important festival for the people of Hindu religion. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm to commemorate Lord Ram’s birthday, who is also known to be the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is the part of the spring festival Chaitra Navratri and falls on the ninth day of the Shukhla Paksha (bright half) in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra. Ram Navami is also called the Chaitra Masa Shukla Paksha Navami which marks the end of nine-day long Chaitra Navratri celebrations. This year, Ram Navami will be celebrated on March 25, Sunday. Devotees celebrate this day by observing fast and seek blessings from Lord Ram.

Significance & Celebrations

The festival signifies the victory of goodness over evil. Lord Rama is said to be incarnated on earth to perform a special responsibility to destroy demon king Ravana. Lord Vishnu had to reincarnate as the son of the Ayodhya King Dasharatha. On this day, many Vaishnava Hindus visit temples, where miniature idols of Lord Ram are bathed and clothed. The ceremony is accompanied by reciting Ram katha and singing religious bhajans. Along with Lord Ram, Lord Lakshman, Lord Hanuman and Goddess Sita are worshipped, owing to their important connection with the Ramayana. Ram Navami Puja Muharat Time, Puja Vidhi & Mantras.

Keeping fast on the day signifies purification of body and mind. Around the country, the day is celebrated differently. In the northern and central parts of India, people celebrate it on the concluding day of Navratri. The temples are decorated with flowers and the deities are dressed and bejewelled with ornamental offerings. Along with fasting, people chant mantras and meditate and refrain from all sorts of sinful activities like intoxication, lying, cheating, etc. In southern India, during the nine-day festival people recite Valmiki Ramayana and on the concluding day, devotees fast till sunset, followed by Abhishekam and Prasadam distribution.

History

According to Hindu mythology, on the auspicious day of Shukla Paksha Navami, at 12 noon, Lord Ram made his divine appearance along with his three brothers, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughan in Ayodhya. He appeared in the house of King Dashratha who was worried about the absence of sons in his dynasty. His spiritual master asked him to pray to Rishyashringa muni. The sage performed Putrakameshti yagya. On its completion, Vishnuduta appeared and handed King Dashratha a bowl of kheer. The kheer was divided among the king’s three wives, Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. On the ninth day (Navami) in the Chaitra month at noon Kaushalya gave birth to Ram, Kaikeyi to Bharat and Sumitra to twin boys, Lakshman and Shatrughan.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 23, 2018 02:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).