Rama Navami

Rama Navami

Rama Navami is a festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the son of King Dasharatha. Long ago, King Dasharatha ruled Ayodhya. He had everything, but an heir. “My life is incomplete without a child. Who will take care of my vast kingdom after me?” he would often grumble.

Along the same time, there lived a powerful demon King named Ravana. Through his ardent prayers, he had received the boon of being invincible. But after this, he became tyrannical. He would attack the sages and disrupt their religious performances. His evil actions were a cause of worry to the gods too. One day, the sages and the Gods pleaded to Lord Brahma, “O Lord, do something to get rid of this Ravana.” Brahma was in a fix; he himself had given the boon to Ravana. So they approached Lord Vishnu.

“Only you can save us in this hour of peril, O Lord Vishnu,” said the Gods. “Hmm, Ravana is arrogant. He would never expect an attack from a human being,” Vishnu said. “Let me incarnate on earth in a human form. And the time is ripe. King Dasharatha is in need of a son.” So, on the ninth day after the new moon in the month of Chaitra (April), Lord Vishnu took birth on earth as Rama, the eldest son of King Dasharatha and his first Queen Kaushalya. Rama was Lord Vishnu's seventh incarnation.

Besides Kaushalya, King Dasharatha had two more queens. The second queen Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata, and the third queen Sumitra gave birth to Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Time rolled on and the four brothers grew up. Rama married princess Sita, the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila. ‘Now I am too old to rule. I should hand over the kingdom to Rama,’ thought King Dasharatha, one day. But luck had something else in store. Queen Kaikeyi fell under some bad influences and demanded the throne for her son Bharata. She also forced Rama to be exiled for 14 years.

Without any complains, Rama accepted the exile and left the throne for his brother, Bharata. Sita and Lakshmana also accompanied Rama into the forest. One day, the wicked Ravana abducted Sita and took her to his kingdom, Lanka. A great war broke out between Rama and Ravana. At the end, Rama killed Ravana and freed Sita. After completing the period of exile, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya. Bharata, the loyal brother, handed over the throne to Rama. Even to this day, Rama is remembered for his justice and righteousness. And his birthday is celebrated as Rama Navami.

During Rama Navami, a huge fair is organized at Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama. The fair continues for two days. Chariot processions called 'Rath Yatras' are taken out from many temples. People decorate the chariots with flowers and leaves. Then four people dress up as Lord Rama and his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana, and devotee Hanuman. They mount the chariots and lead the procession.

Wherever the chariot goes, people throng around it and cheer in praise of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman.

In the night, devotees stay awake in anticipation of Lord Rama's birth. The actual celebrations begin early in the morning. People sweep their houses clean and place the pictures of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman on a dais. They keep flowers and incense sticks before the deities. The day starts with a prayer to the Sun. Special importance is given to the worship of Sun God because he is considered to be the progenitor of Rama's dynasty. It is believed that Lord Rama was born at midday. So, a special prayer is performed at about the noon. Devotees adorn the idols with flowers and turmeric, and then shower water, roli, and rice on them. Some people observe a fast on this day. In the evening, the devotees light sacred fire and sing devotional songs in praise of the Lord. Ladies rock his image in cradles. Finally, the devotees get blessings in the form of fruits and sweets.

Rama Navami is a festival that is celebrated all over the country. Lord Rama's popularity, bravery, courage, kindness, sense of justice, obedience, intelligence, perseverance, boundless compassion and righteousness have endeared him to countless generations of Hindus and non-Hindus alike. Indeed, this festival brings immense happiness and salvation to the devotees.