Celebrating the birth of Lord Rama

Chennai

Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April).

Ram Navami is one of the most important festivals of the Hindus, particularly the Vaishnava sect of the Hindus. On this auspicious day, devotees chant the name of Rama and vow to lead a righteous life. People pray to attain the final beatitude of life through intense devotion towards Rama and invoke him for his blessings and protection.

Temples are decorated and the image of Lord Rama is richly adorned. The important episodes from Ramayana are read out by priests and learned by people in public gatherings at the temples.

At some places the festival lasts the whole nine days of the Navaratri, thus the period is called ‘Sri Rama Navaratra’. It is marked by continuous recitals, akhand paath, mostly of the Ramacharitamanas, organised several days in advance to culminate on this day with elaborate bhajana, kirtana and distribution of prasadam after the puja.

Followers of Hinduism in South India normally perform Kalyanotsavam (marriage celebration) with small deities of Rama and Sita in their homes, and at the end of the day the deities are taken to a procession on the streets.

Rathayatras, the chariot processions, also known as Shobha yatras of Rama, Sita, his brother Lakshmana and Hanuman, are taken out at several places in North India.