Ways In Which Ram Navami Is Celebrated

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Shri Rama Navami is a festival to celebrate the birth of the Hindu God Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. The celebrations start on the first day of Chaitra and continue for 9 days.

Celebrations include reading the Ramayan and attending spiritual sessions about the Lord and his deeds. All through the 9 days Rama Raksha stotram [prayer] is recited eleven times to gain benefits, overcome ailments and to be prosperous. Rama Raksha literally means 'Protection given by Rama', so people believe a lot in the outcome.

Significance Of Ram Navami

The devotees are known to keep vrata [fast] on Rama Navami, so that they are rewarded with the honourable traits of Rama. But they do feast of fruits and other goodies in the evening when the celebrations come to an end.

Worshipping Shriram
Rama Navami celebrations start on the first day of Chaitra and continue till the ninth day. In the afternoon a coconut wrapped in a red purdah [cloak] is placed in a cradle and the cradle is rocked. The coconut symbolizes baby Rama.

It is done at noon as Lord Rama was born around the noon time. Devotees stand around the cradle and shower it with kum-kum [red turmeric powder]. After the event the devotees are given prasad, which consists of fruits and other homemade sweets.

Supreme Lord Vishnu And Rama

Shriram is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On Ram Navami he is paid due respect by worshipping him in the same way as Lord Vishnu in Shodashopachara puja [sixteen step puja].

Tulsi [basil] leaves and lotus flowers are an integral part of this puja. Naivedya is Lord Vishnu's favourite delicacy. It is prepared from rava [semolina], ghee and sugar.

All the delicacies prepared and the flowers offered provide a person a spiritual awakening and make them feel closer to God.

Ram Navami Puja In Temples
Pujas are a common fixture that is associated with Lord Rama and people commemorate him by chanting his name the whole day. Rama temples take center stage, as his idols are cleaned and dressed in new silk fabrics which are either red or orange.

Flowers are offered and the Lord adorns colourful jewellery. Excerpts from the epic, Ramayana are read and special attention is given to Rama's character and his deeds.

Devotees Visit Sacred Places
Celebrations take center stage in Ayodhya, Bhadrachalam and Rameswaram. These places witness a huge surge of devotees and tourists during this time.

People take a dip in the holy river Sarayu in Ayodhya. Even at Rameswaram people bathe in the sea, as it is believed that the holy water cleanses them from within and takes them closer to the Lord.