Hindu Festivals No.10.

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Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal,

 

10.Sriramanavami.

 

( Chaitra Suddha Navami)

 

Sri Ramnavami is celebrated to rejoice the birth anniversary of Lord Rama.

Lord Rama, the embodiment of perfection (uttama purusha) is the seventh

incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Rama Navami is a nine day festival which starts from

Ugadi, the beginning of the Hindu New Year.

 

The birthday of Rama Chandra is observed on the ninth day of the waxing moon

of the month Chaitra (March-April).

 

Some observe a strict fast on this day.

 

It was on this day that Vishnu incarnated as Rama through Dasharatha’s wife

Kaushalya.

 

This day is also important because the celebrated Sanskrit poet Tulsi Dasa

started composing his classic Ram Charit Manas on this day.

 

The devotees take a bath in Saryu river on this day. The fast on this day

reminds us about the righteousness of Rama, his devotion to his teacher,

parents, brother, wife and the citizens of Ayodhya. The temples of Rama are

illuminated and his image adorned with costly ornaments. The Ramayana is read in

the temples.

 

The ancient texts lays tress on fasting on this day, and it is believed that

anyone who does not fast will go to the worst hell. It is also said that Rama

fulfills the wishes of all those who pray to him on this day.

 

Ayodhya is the focus of great celebrations. A huge fair is organized for two

days. Ratha yatras or 'chariot processions' of Rama and his wife Sita, brother

Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman, are taken out from many temples. Hanuman is

worshipped for his unflinching devotion to Rama, and his worship forms an

important part of the Ramanavami celebrations.

 

 

In Andhra Pradesh it is celebrated with great religious fervuor at the Sri

Seetha Ramchandraswami temple annually in March-April at Bhadrachalam near

Warangal.

 

It is celebrated in Jaipur (Rajasthan) in honour of Rama’s birth, when a big

fair is held at Gattaji in Jaipur.

 

In Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh region, there is a tradition of sowing wheat,

urad or grams (5-7 kinds) on this occasion, on the floor of the house or in

baskets.

 

It is possible that in ancient times, only barley seeds were sown, so it was

called Jawara, later on Navrat Navratri. From the very first day an earthen

vessel is installed, before which a light is kept burning for all the nine days

and nights.

 

On the eighth day yaga (Hom-Havana) is performed. The seedlings are worshipped

every morning and evening. On the ninth day, amidst the singing of songs and

playing on musical instruments, the seedlings are immersed in water. A black

he-goat is slaughtered on this day. After this the Jawara seedlings are

distributed among friends communicating good wishes. The offer of Jawara is

symbolic of the strength of the man. The songs sung on the occasion pertain to

Yakshas, also mentioning Yakshasinis, who are the attendants of the goddesses

Mehmai, Bhavani, Shitala, Buddhimai, Durga. The female Sakti (power) are

incorporated in the songs. Thus Rama’s worship and Shakti’s worship are

synthesized into one at this occasion.

(A collection)

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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