Ram Navami

Held on Navami (9th day) of Shukla Paksha, Chaitra Month

Rama Navami is predominately a Hindu Festival which commemorates the birth of Lord Rama. This day is also observed as the marriage day of Rama and Sita. The festival falls in the Shukla Paksha on the Navami, the ninth day of the month of Chaitra in the Hindu calendar. Lord Rama was one of the 6 sons of King Dashrath (ruler of Ayodhya). Lord Rama was the Seventh Incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He was a great human being known for his righteousness and as such attained the title of 'Maryada Purushottam' which means a 'Highly Disciplined Human Being'. The life of Lord Ram has been mentioned in the epic known as 'Ramayana'. Though Lord Rama is the subject of this fetival, other deities like his Brother - Lakshman, Wife - Sita and his devotee 'Hanuman' also receive a deserving devotion.

History and Origin of Rama Navami

As per the anecdotes of the epic Ramayana, during 'Treta Yuga' (one of the ages of mankind) there was a kingdom named Ayodhya (Capital of Avadha). It was ruled by King Dasharatha who had three wives named Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. They had everything but no children, this was their biggest worry as no children meant that they did not had a heir to the throne. How would their Ikshvaku Kula or royal lineage of great, pious emperors continue. A sage named 'Rishi Vasistha' suggested them to perform a 'Puthra Kamesti Yagna' (hindi ritual), through which they could acquire children. The sage also suggested that the ritual be performed by 'Maha Rishi Rishyasringa'. Thus the yagna was performed and a deity named 'Yagneshwara' appeared and handed over Dasharatha a bowl of 'Divine Pudding' (kheer / payasam). He instructs the king to give it to his wives. The king gives one half of the pudding to his elder wife Kausalya and another half to his younger wife Kaikeyi. They both give half of their portions to Sumitra. After few days all three Queens conceive. On the ninth day (Navami) of Chaithra Masa (last month in Vedic calendar), at noon Kausalya gives birth to Rama, Kaikeyi gives birth to Bharata, and Sumitra to twin boys, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. However, the birth of Lord Rama was no ordinary birth. During that time, there was Demon King named 'Ravana'. Owing to his sacred worship, Ravana had been granted various boons by Lord Brahma. Amongst, these boons was that he could not be killed by a god. He considered himself invincible and started abusing his powers. Lord Vishnu agreed to come down to earth in the guise of a human form of Lord Ram to end the cruelty of Ravana. Lord Rama, all through his life, stood up against evil and saved mankind. It is for these achievements, that his birth is remembered even today with great devotion.

The origins of the celebration of Ram Navami can be traced back to references of the festival provided in the sacred book 'Kalika Puran'. As per the historians, when Rama became a king, the people of Ayodha supposedly began to observe his birthday out of extreme devotion to their godly ruler. Astrological studies, point out January 10, 5114 B.C as his birthday.

Traditions, Events and Activities

Early Morning Prayers - Ram Navmi begins with a prayer to the Sun early in the morning. Hindu households organise a puja (prayer). The prayer has to be accompanied by various products like roli, aipun, rice, water, flowers, a bell and a conch. The youngest female member of the family applies teeka to all the members of the family. Everyone participates in the puja by first sprinkling the water, roli, and aipun on the Gods, and then showering handfuls of rice on the deities. Then everybody stands up to perform the aarti, at the end of which ganga jal or plain water is sprinkled over the gathering. The singing of bhajans goes on for the entire puja. Finally, the prasad is distributed among all the people who have gathered for worship.

Devotional Songs - It is believed that Lord Rama was born in afternoon, therefore a special prayer is performed during this time. People sing devotional songs in praise of Rama and rock, images of him in a cradle to celebrate his birth. There are recitations of Tulsi Ramayan, the epic, which recounts the story of this great king.

Rathyatras - Also known as Chariot Processions, these have Ram, his wife Seeta, brother Lakshman and devotee Hanuman, seated on the chariot. These important celebrations are unique to Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Bhadrachalam (Andhra Pradesh) and Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu). Thousands of devotees participate in chariot processions, also known as Shobha yatras. These are are taken out at several places.

Holy Dip - People gather in thousands on the banks of the sacred river Sarayu for a dip. Some observe a strict fast on this day.

Panakam - It is the name of a sweet drink prepared on this day with jaggery and pepper.

Temple Visits - Ayodhya is the main focus of great celebrations. Devotees throng the temples of Ayodhya and Pondicherry, two places closely connected with the events of the Ramayana to participate in Ramnavami festivities.

Sri Rama Navratra - It means 'Nine Day Festival' because of it's observation for continuous Nine Days. In some regions this nine day festival is marked by continuous recitals known as 'Akhand Paath', mostly of the Ramacharitamanas (sacred text) which is organized several days in advance to culminate on Rama Navami, with elaborate bhajan, kirtan and distribution of prasad after the puja and aarti. Images of infant form of Sri Rama are placed on cradles and rocked by devotees. Traditional prayers are chanted together by the family in the morning. Also, at temples special havans are organized, along with Vedic chanting of Vedic mantras and offerings of fruits and flowers. Many followers mark this day by Vrata (fasting) through the day followed by feasting in the evening, or at the culmination of celebrations. In South India, in Bhadrachalam the day is also celebrated as the wedding anniversary of Sri Rama and his consort Sita. The ceremonial wedding known as 'Sitarama Kalyanam', is held at temples throughout the south region, with great fanfare and accompanied by group chanting of name of Rama, (Rama nama smaranam). Where as the marriage is celebrated in Mithila and Ayodhya during another day on Vivaha Panchami as per Valmiki Ramayana. As it marks the end of the nine-day Chaitra-Navratri celebrations, it is also known as 'Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami'.

Alternate Names - Ram Navmi, Ram Nawmi, Rama Navami, Ramnavmi, Sri Rama Navami, Shree Ram Navami, Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami, Birthday of Lord Rama.

Holiday Status - It is a gazetted holiday in India.