Aniket Raja
Ram Navami is the day on which Sri Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, incarnated in human form in the land of Ayodhya. It is also on this day that Sri Ram and Sita got married and is thus also referred to as Kalyanotsavam.
Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra (April/May) (eight days after Yugādi) and coincides with Vasant Navratri or Chait Durga Puja. Ram Navami is also known as 'Ram Navratra' in some places owing to the fact that it lasts for the whole nine days.It marks the end of nine-day Chaitra-Navratri celebrations.
Ram Navami is one of the most ancient festivals celebrated in Bharat. It is said that the date of Ram Navami can be traced back to the pre-Christian era, as Hinduism is the oldest religion of the world. The reference of Ram Navami can also be found in the Kalika Puran.
Celebrations
Ram Navami is celebrated in a variety of ways ranging from bhajan programmes and pujas to rath yatras and pandal programmes, often accompanied by chanting of the whole Ramayan. Many people either perform Akhandaramayan path or just chant Sunderkand. Some of the popular bhajans sung on this day include the Hare Krishna mahamantra.
| Origin of Ram Navami According to the great epic Ramayan, there lived a King named Dasharath, the king of Ayodhya, who had three wives named Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. Even after being married for a long time, Dasharath had not experienced fatherhood. None of his wives were blessed with a child and this became a cause of concern for him. At this stage, Rishi Vasistha suggested Dasharath to perform Putra Kamesti Yajna, through which he would have a desired child. |
Pilgrimage
People visit sacred places associated with Sri Ram during this holy time. Places like Ayodhya, Ujjain and Rameshwaram attract thousands of devotees across the country. In Rameshwaram, thousands take a ritual bath in the sea before worshipping at the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Many places in north Bharat host fairs in connection with the festival, culminating in spectacular fireworks on Ram Navami. In Andhra Pradesh, Ram Navami is celebrated for ten days from the Chaitrasaptami to the Bahula Padyami that fall in the month of March and April. Temples re-enact the marriage of Sri Ram and Sita to commemorate this event, since this day is also the day they got married. In Ayodhya, the birthplace of Sri Ram, a huge fair is held with thousands of devotees gathering to celebrate this festival.
| Check out these little known facts on Ram Navami
Answers: SURPANAKHA; MITHILA; VASHISHTA; MARICHA; JATAYUKABANDHA; IKSHVAKU; PUTRA KAMESTI YAJNA ; KOSHALA ; SARAYU |
Children it is said that the chanting of his name (Ram) is the fastest and easiest way to attain purity, peace, wisdom, understanding, joy, prosperity and ultimately liberation.
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