Ram Navami - the Birthday of Lord Rama - Hindu Festival - Festivals of India

Ram Navami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Lord Rama. It is celebrated on the 9 th day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of Chaitra, of the Hindu calendar which corresponds to the months of March-April of the Gregorian calendar.

Lord Rama is one of the most worshipped of the Hindu Gods. He is considered the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is considered to be "Maryada Purshottam" - the epitome of righteousness and the ideal son, husband and father - the ideal male.

Lord Rama was born in the year 5114 B.C. to King Dashrath and Queen Kaushalya.

Ram Navami is celebrated by the Hindus in India and elsewhere around the world where Hindus reside. However, in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, it is celebrated on a scale unmatched anywhere else.

Ram Navami celebrations extend over a period of 9 days, the first day being the Gudi Padwa day and continuing over the next eight days.

On Ram Navami day, many devotees keep fast for the entire day breaking it after the celebrations are over in the evening. Some people abstain from food while some others from food and water for the entire duration of the fast.

Some others fast partake only "satvik" or wholesome food - basically potatoes without the addition of ginger, garlic, onions or turmeric. Rock salt is allowed to be used as also tea, coffee, milk, curd and root vegetables.

Continuous recitation of the "Ramcharitmanas", an epic poem composed by the poet Tulsidas in the 16 th century, narrating the story of Lord Rama in poetic form, is carried out from day 1.

Today, this body of work is considered one of the greatest works of Hindu literature.

The recitation of Ramcharitmanas culminates on the 9 th day, the Ram Navami day. Apart from this other rituals like singing of devotional songs, spiritual discourses and prayers are offered both at home and in temples.

At the temples, idols of baby Rama are kept in a cradle and rocked by the devotees. Idols of Lord Rama, his wife, Sita, brother, Lakshmana and his most ardent devotee, Hanuman are taken out in a ceremonial procession on chariots, accompanied by a large number of people chanting and singing praises of Lord Rama.

In South India, Ram Navami is also celebrated to commemorate the marriage of Lord Rama with Sita. A ceremonial wedding ceremony called "Kalyanam" is performed at the temples with a lot of fanfare and chanting of the Lord's name.

On this occasion, a sweet drink called "Panagam" made with jaggery, ginger and pepper is prepared for offering to the deity and then distributed among the devotees afterwards.

The devotees on Ram Navami day offer prayers to the Sun God in the morning and the evening ceremonial procession is accompanied by people playing with colors and water.

Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary is a 8.29 square mile protected area in the Tamil Nadu state of South India.

The sanctuary was developed for conservation of the almost extinct Blackbuck Antelope. Several sites of religious, historical or cultural importance are located within the sanctuary. One of which is the Ramar Padam or Lord Rama's Footprint.

Ramar Padam is located on the highest point of land in the sanctuary. It is a small shrine containing the stone footprints of Lord Rama. A large numbers of devotees gather here during the second week of April every year, to celebrate Ram Navami Festival.

In Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, tens of thousands of devotees including visitors from all around the world throng to witness the grandest of celebrations of the day. Apart from the ceremonial prayers and processions, devotees take a dip in the holy river Saryu with the firm belief in their purification of their soul and attaining moksha or salvation.