Rama Navami - Grain feast?

[Guest guest]

Dear devotees,

 

PAMHO. AGTSP.

 

Is the feast grain prasadam or ekadashi prasadam on Rama Navami day?

 

I have been following Kualalumpur (Malaysia) last few years, full fasting

(nirjala) till sunset followed by Anukalpa(ekadashi prasadam).

 

Just a doubt after reading the following message.

 

Thank You,

 

Your humble servant,

Bhadra Govinda Das.

 

Though Srila Prabhupada spoke in few places about fasting till sunset, he

himself observed Sri Rama Navami in 1975, 76, and 77 with fasting till noon.

On Sri Rama navami 1975, Srila Prabhupada inaugurated Sri Sri Krishna Balarama

mandir in Vrindavan and feasting was done in the afternoon. In Feb 1976 he

spoke about fasting till sunset. But couple of months later, Srila Prabhupada

observed Sri Rama Navami in Vrindavavan and feasting was done in the

afternoon. After speaking on March 26 1977, a week or so later, Srila

Prabhupada observed Rama Navami at Pandal program in Cross maidan. Initiation

ceremony was conducted in the forenoon and feasting was done in the afternoon.

 

 

HH Banu Swami wrote: Here is a logical reason for feasting in the afternoon:

 

"In the Gaudiya math panjika there is a sanskrt quote from a purana saying

that Rama was born at noon. Therefore it is appropriate to celebrate the

abhiseka at that time, as we do for Krsna at midnight and Gauranga mahaprabhu

at sunset. The Gaudiya Mathas theoretically fast all day on all avatara

appearance days (they can take fruits etc without breaking the fast, as we do

on Gaur Purnima, after the appearance time in the evening) and break the fast

with grains the next day. Since we do not observe the full fast except for

Gaur purnima and Janmastami, after the abhiseka it would be appropriate to

serve the (grain) feast. If you observing full fast, then you can take fruits

etc after the abhiseka".