Sri Ram Navami is a festival marking the birth of Lord Ram and is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Get to know about the essence of Ram Navami and how is it celebrated.Ram Navami is celebrated as the birthday of lord Ram and is thus a very vital festival of the Hindus all across the world. It falls on the 9th day of the brightest fortnight of the Chaitra month, that is, in the month of March-April. The Vaishnava sect amongst the Hindus observe this day with great dedication and devotion. They spend the entire day and night repeating the holy name of Lord Ram with each breath they take and take a pledge to lead a pious and righteous life all throughout. On this special occasion Lord Rama is invoked by his devotees for special blessings so that they are able to lead a well protected life from all evils. In this articleHow is Ram Navami Celebrated?The Essence of Ram NavamiThe PujaHow is Ram Navami Celebrated? Lord Ram is believed to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. The celebrations commence from the first day of the Chaitra month, which is called the Gudhi Padwa or Yugaadi. This celebration then continues for nine days as devotees chant the name of the Lord Ram and join in community recitals praising the glories of the righteous King of Ayodhya, Lord Rama. The Ramaraksha Stotra and other chanting of the mantras and recitals popularly known as Bhajans and Kirtans are carried out and participated by all. On the night of Ram Navami, a spiritual discourse is organised in the honour of Shri Ram and his life. A hooded cloak of silk is draped around a coconut and placed in a well decorated cradle. The cradle and the entire Puja area is decorated with flowers and Diyas and the cradle is rocked slowly alongside the singing of the hymns. Gulaal or red fragrant powder obtained from flowers and other incense is showered on the cradle and outside marking the birth or Lord Ram. The Essence of Ram Navami The essence of the celebration lies in understanding and realising the principles and ideals that Lord Ram stands for. People try to follow and pledge that they will lead a pious life with complete devotion and righteousness. The attributes of being honourable and being true to one’s word, complete devotion to one’s wife and the ability to attain the sought target with a single arrow are ones that denote Lord Ram. The Puja Since Lord Ram is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, he is worshipped on this occasion in ‘Sodasha Upachaar’ or sixteen steps. Tulsi is a medicinal and sacred plant found in abundance in India and it is vital to have it during the Puja. It is essential due to its ability to draw the subtlest and untainted particles of Lord Vishnu. The lotus flower is another vital ingredient of worship and a rice pudding or Kheer is presented to the Lord as an offering or Naivedya. It can be concluded that Ram Navami is a commemoration of spirituality where the individual invokes the blessings of the Lord to raise oneself to a higher plane of consciousness. This is signified by the ritual to generate the divine consciousness in the idol of Lord Rama through resolution or Sankalpa and vow observance of a spiritual life or keeping a Vrat. Chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ fill the air and the festival is celebrated with the greatest pomp in Ayodhya, which is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. It is the power of devotion that is highlighted in this festival.
Sri Ram Navami is a festival marking the birth of Lord Ram and is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Get to know about the essence of Ram Navami and how is it celebrated.Ram Navami is celebrated as the birthday of lord Ram and is thus a very vital festival of the Hindus all across the world. It falls on the 9
th day of the brightest fortnight of the
Chaitra month, that is, in the month of March-April. The
Vaishnava sect amongst the
Hindus observe this day with great dedication and devotion. They spend the entire day and night repeating the holy name of Lord Ram with each breath they take and take a pledge to lead a pious and righteous life all throughout. On this special occasion
Lord Rama is invoked by his devotees for special blessings so that they are able to lead a well protected life from all evils.
How is Ram Navami Celebrated?
Lord Ram is believed to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. The celebrations commence from the first day of the Chaitra month, which is called the Gudhi Padwa or Yugaadi. This celebration then continues for nine days as devotees chant the name of the Lord Ram and join in community recitals praising the glories of the righteous King of Ayodhya, Lord Rama. The Ramaraksha Stotra and other chanting of the mantras and recitals popularly known as Bhajans and Kirtans are carried out and participated by all.
On the night of Ram Navami, a spiritual discourse is organised in the honour of Shri Ram and his life. A hooded cloak of silk is draped around a coconut and placed in a well decorated cradle. The cradle and the entire Puja area is decorated with flowers and Diyas and the cradle is rocked slowly alongside the singing of the hymns. Gulaal or red fragrant powder obtained from flowers and other incense is showered on the cradle and outside marking the birth or Lord Ram.
The Essence of Ram Navami
The essence of the celebration lies in understanding and realising the principles and ideals that Lord Ram stands for. People try to follow and pledge that they will lead a pious life with complete devotion and righteousness. The attributes of being honourable and being true to one’s word, complete devotion to one’s wife and the ability to attain the sought target with a single arrow are ones that denote Lord Ram.
The Puja
Since Lord Ram is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, he is worshipped on this occasion in ‘Sodasha Upachaar’ or sixteen steps. Tulsi is a medicinal and sacred plant found in abundance in India and it is vital to have it during the Puja. It is essential due to its ability to draw the subtlest and untainted particles of Lord Vishnu. The lotus flower is another vital ingredient of worship and a rice pudding or Kheer is presented to the Lord as an offering or Naivedya.
It can be concluded that Ram Navami is a commemoration of spirituality where the individual invokes the blessings of the Lord to raise oneself to a higher plane of consciousness. This is signified by the ritual to generate the divine consciousness in the idol of Lord Rama through resolution or Sankalpa and vow observance of a spiritual life or keeping a Vrat. Chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ fill the air and the festival is celebrated with the greatest pomp in Ayodhya, which is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. It is the power of devotion that is highlighted in this festival.
