Ram Navmi is a Hindu festival, celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama. It is observed on the ninth and the last day of Navratri. This is the festival of great importance for the people of the Hindu religion. Lord Vishnu had to born on the earth as a son of the Ayodhya King Dasharatha, to remove the Asura power on the earth in order to maintain the Dharma. Some people celebrate it as the marriage day of Rama and Sita called “Kalyanotsavam”.
Story Behind Ram Navmi
It is one of the oldest festival celebrated by the Hindu religion people in India. On this day Lord Vishnu was born as the elder son of Dasharath. Dasharath was the king of Ayodhya and had three wives, Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. He had no children. Then the sage Vasistha advised him to perform the Puthra Kamesti Yagna to fulfill his desire for a child.
He invites Maharshi Rishyasringa to perform yajna (yagya). After the yajna completion, rishi hand over a bowl of parsad (kheer) to the king. He offered the parsad to his all three wives. Later that, on the Ninth day of Chaitra month at noon Kausalya and Kaikeyi gave birth to one son each while Sumitra gave birth to twin sons. Lord Vishnu was born as Lord Rama to establish the Dharama after removal of Adharma by defeating the evil power.
Significance Of Ram Navami
This festival signifies the arrival of spiritual power on earth. The main reason of the birth of Rama was to destroy the evil spirit of Ravana on the earth. The Hindu religion people celebrate it for their soul and body purification.
Significance of Ramlila on Ram Navami
Ramlila is the dramatic portrayal act of Lord Rama life and his battle against Ravana. By performing Ramlila it also spreads awareness around the world. People perform this act in an open air stage. This is also a significant part of the Ram Navami celebration.
It also describes the Ram as responsible king, caring husband, loving brother and obey the order of parents. Through this act, awareness to men regarding their duties toward their better half and parents is spreads. In this year Ram Navami is celebrated on Thursday, 2 April 2020.
Ram Navami Celebrations
This festival is celebrated in a variety of ways by doing bhajan, kirtan, pandal programs and fasting. In some locations people organize Rath-yatras, while some went temples and organizing special discussion sessions in the evening. In the birth place of Lord Rama Ayodhya, a huge fair is held to celebrate this festival. Many devotees gather across the region to celebrate this festival and enjoy the fair. This fair continues for two days.
Places In India Where Ram Navami Celebrates On Large Scale
- Uttar Pradesh
- Telangana
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
- Tamil Nadu
- Andhra Pradesh
Guidelines For Fasting On Ram Navami
Some devotees keep fast throughout the nine days of celebration, while some keep fast on the last and first day. Fast is also called as vrat. This vrat is important for all Rama devotees and optional for others. There are few guidelines what should we eat when we keep fast are as follows:-
Fruits :- We must eat fruits. Fruits keep us healthy and give vitamins to our body. But you have to remember that do not use plain salt.
Sabudana Khichdi :- It is the best option because it gives our body enough energy. We also eat sabudana papad, sabudana kheer or sabudana vada.
Potato :– You can fry potatos in oil or ghee, but remember do not use haldi, ginger, garlic, plain salt or onion. You can use sendha namak(rock salt) instead of plain salt.
Dairy Products :– You can also consume dairy products like curd, milk and also tea, coffee.
Singhare or Rajgriha ka atta :– This Singhara or Rajgriha atta is the best alternative of atta. You can prepare dosa or chpati of it with “aluu ki sabji”. It will give you enough energy for the whole day.
From ancient time, Ram Navami fast is considered as one of the most important fast.
Religious Places Where You should Visit During Ram Navami
The following is the list of destinations where you should visit :-
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh:- Ayodhya is the birth place of Lord Rama. People celebrate this festival with lots of joy.
Rameshwar, Tamil Nadu:- This is another famous place where devotees gather together to celebrate the Ram Navami festival.
Badrachalam, Telangana:– In Badrachalam this day is celebrated as the wedding day of Lord Rama and Sita. It is also one of the most famous place to celebrate this festival.
Sitamarhi, Bihar:- Sitamarhi is considered as the birthplace of goddess Sita. On this festival temple is decorated very well and also hosts a fair that attract many people.
Vontimitta, Andhra Pradesh:- This temple is located in the small town of Andhra Pradesh and also a famous tourist destination.