Sri Rama Navami; the Festival of the Birthday of Lord Rama

Rama Navami reminisces me of the celebrations that take place in the society of my native place. The song ‘Rama Chandra Raghu Veera…..’ sung by a Classical singer living nearby is recalling me to take part in the procession held there on this auspicious day. Rama Navami is the birthday of Lord Rama, son of the King of Ayodhya, Dasaratha. Among the three wives of Dasaratha, Kousalya is dignified to have given birth to Lord Rama, the 7th avatar of the Supreme of this universe, Lord Vishnu.

Sri Rama is considered as the divine power who takes birth on Bhuloka (earth) by his own will, when Adharma (evil forces) rules over Dharma (virtues). He safeguards all his subjects by destroying the roots of Adharma. The sole purpose of Rama's avatar by Vishnu was to vanquish the demon King Ravana of Lanka. Lord Rama & Lord Krishna are said to exist really according to Hinduism. So devotees chant the Mahamantra:

'Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare'....

The ninth day of Hindu Chaitra month in Shukla Paksha is Rama Navami. Fasting and reciting the Ramacharitamanas, devotees pay their homage to Lord Rama. In temples, priests conduct havans that are attended by people offering fruits and flowers amidst Veda chants. The celebrations culminate with bhajans followed by Aarti in the night.

In South India, Rama Navami is also the marriage of Lord Rama with Sita, called Sitharama Kalyanam. In Bhadrachalam temple in Andhra Pradesh, the Kalyanam or marriage of the deities takes places with much fanfare and zest. In my native place in Kerala, a palanquin of Lord Rama is made decorated with flowers and devotees shoulder it on a procession singing songs. It pauses beside each and every home in the street to give a glimpse of it with blessings to the inmates. Rathayatra is also a celebration in many parts of India in which the deities of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman are carried out in a procession.

Ramanavami is also celebrated by putting a small idol of Sri Rama in a cradle and by offering prayers to it. Special meals including Payasam and Panakam are organized in South Indian communities.

Rama Rajya, the reign of Sri Rama that everyone is craving for was once the golden period of peace and prosperity in India. Let's pray to attain that coveted rule of Rama Rajya that would eradicate the evils, corruption and all other bad deeds from our beloved country, India.