Sri Ramanavami on March 26 (Mon) at 7:00pm at Datta Temple, Baton Rouge

[Guest guest]

You are all invited to attend

 

Sri Rama Navami Celebration

on March 26 (Monday)

 

7:00pm

 

Datta Temple & Hall of Trinity, Baton Rouge LA

 

Sankalapam

 

Sree Seetharama Kalyanam

 

Mantra Pushpam

 

If you are interested in sponsoring the ceremony, please :

 

 

_http://www.dattatemple.com/calendar/index.php_

(http://www.dattatemple.com/calendar/index.php)

 

 

 

 

Ramanavami

Rama Navami falls on the ninth day of Chaitra Masa which falls in

March/April. It is celebrated on March 26 (Monday) at Datta Temple and Hall of

Trinity. This celebration is based on Hindu Lunar calendar. This day is

celebrated

as the birthday of Sri Rama. Temples and people normally perform

Kalyanotsavam (marriage celebration) for small images (Utsav murthies) of

_Rama_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama) and _Sita_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sita)

, and at the end of the day the _deity_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deity)

is taken to a _procession_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Processio & action=edit) on the

streets. This day also marks the end of the

nine-day _utsavam_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Utsavam & action=edit)

called Vasanth Navaratri (festival of _Spring_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_(season)) ), that starts with _Ugadi_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugadi) . According to astologers by placing the

stars and the epics together it

has been said that Sri Ram was born on Feb 10, 5010 BC.

According to legend, Rama was born at noon. Rama is the epitome of

perfection, the uttama purusha, fulfilling all his duties towards both family

and

subjects. The festival commemorates the birth of Rama who is remembered for his

prosperous and righteous reign. Ramrajya (the reign of Rama) has become

synonymous with a period of peace and prosperity.

Some people conduct Rama navami festival as a festival dedicated to Surya

(Sun God). The Sun was recognised as the source of light and heat even in

ancient times. The importance of the Sun was much more in the higher latitudes

from where the Aryans are supposed to have migrated into India. Many royal

dynasties potrayed symbols of virility like the Sun, Eagle, Lion etc. as their

progenitor. Rama's dynasty considered themselves to have descended from the

Sun.

 

Sri Ramnavami occurs at the beginning of summer in India when the sun has

started moving nearer to the northern hemisphere. The Sun is considered to be

the progenitor of Rama's dynasty which is called the Sun dynasty (Raghukula or

Raghuvamsa, Raghu means Sun and Kula or Vamsa mean familial descendant).

Rama is also known as Raghunatha, Raghupati, Raghavendra etc. That all these

names begin with the prefix Raghu is also suggestive of some link with

Sun-worship. The hour chosen for the observance of the lord's birth is that

when the

sun is overhead and is at its maximum brilliance. In some Hindu sects, prayers

on Ramnavami day start not with an invocation to Rama but to Surya (sun).

Again the syllable Ra is used in the word to describe the sun and brilliance in

many languages. In Sanskrit, Ravi and Ravindra mean Sun.

 

It is considered auspicious to fast on this day in the name of Rama. The

more devout fast for nine days, from Ugadi to Rama Navami. The objective of the

fast is not to ask for special favors of the deity but to seek perfection as

a human being. Devotees perform elaborate pujas and chant the name of Rama.

Temples of Rama have special services and bhajan sessions through the day.

 

The Ramayana means the " Ways of Rama " . It is held in the greatest possible

reverence because it embodies the best of human ideals and a living sum of

Indian character. As a popular religious epic and great literary work, nothing

can inspire and enthuse us more than the Ramayana. A verse in the end of

Ramcharitra Manas reads:

 

" There is no age to compare the Age of Iron (Kaliyuga). In it, if a man has

only faith and devotes himself to praising Ram's spotless virtues, he escapes

from the sea of birth and death without further trouble. Religion has been

revealed with four feet; in the iron Age one is of the most importance; to

whomsoever God has given let him practice alms giving and prosper. "

 

 

Some highlights of this day are

 

* Kalyanam (Ceremonial wedding performed by temple priests) at

_Bhadrachalam_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhadrachalam) on the banks of the

river _Godavari_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godavari) in _Khammam_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khammam) district.

* Paanakam, a sweet drink prepared on this day with _jaggery_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaggery) and _pepper_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_pepper) .

* Procession of idols in the evening that is accompanied with play of

water and colors.

 

 

 

For the occasion, Temples are decorated and readings of the Ramayana is

considered aspiciou. Along with Sri Ram, people also pray to _Sita_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sita) (Ram's wife), _Lakshman_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshman) (his brother who went on exile with

him) and _Hanuman_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman) (an ardent devotee of Ram and Ram's

chief of

army).

 

 

 

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