The festival of Ram Navami marks the birthday celebrations of the Hindu
God Rama , who is considered to be one of the incarnations of Lord
Vishnu. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls on the ninth day of
the Chaitra month, which is the Spring season. In some parts of India,
it is celebrated as a nine-day festival that coincides with Vasanta
Navratri, dedicated to the female force better known as Durga or Shakti.
Though Rama Navami is a major festival for Vaishnavites, it is widely
celebrated by worshippers of Shiva, too. It is considered auspicious to
undertake a fast on the day in the name of Rama. Devotees perform
elaborate pujas and chant the name of Rama. Temples of Rama have special
services and bhajan sessions through the day. Stories from the Ramayana
are read out in joyous public gatherings and satsangs. Most people fast
until midnight. They break their fast with a prasad of fruits and milk.
One significant and popular element of the celebration is the Ramayana
parayana, a discourse on the Ramayana, by a pundit or a professional
story-teller. It usually lasts nine days, beginning on Ugadi and ending
on Rama Navami. A skilled story-teller who can liven up the event by
weaving in contemporary events attracts massive crowds. The main
significance behind the celebration of this festival is that the
character of Lord Ram signifies an ideal son, an upright husband, a
righteous King, and a loving brother and even an ideal man, someone who
follow the right path against all odds in life. He was also the true
embodiment of humanity. So celebration of Ramnavami is some way special
reminder of all the noble deeds or ideals for which Lord Ram symbolizes.
So if we see it in true sense it is not only a festival to enjoy and
have fun there are lot more things to be learnt. It is a celebration of
goodness and its victory against all evils. Sacred places associated
with Rama, like Ayodhya, Ujjain and Rameshwaram, draw tens of thousands
of devotees. In Rameshwaram, thousands take a ritual bath in the sea
before worshipping at the Ramanathaswamy temple. Many places in North
India host fairs in connection with the festival, culminating in
spectacular fireworks on Rama Navami.
