Bhubaneswar: Ram Navami is a Hindu festival celebrating Lord Ram’s birth, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. It marks the end of Vasanta Navratri, falling on Chaitra’s ninth bright day, typically in March or April.
The Sanskrit word ‘Ram’ means ‘the light of the self’, referring to the inner light within us. When this light shines through, Rama is born. According to Maharishi Patanjali, recognizing this inner light leads to wholeness and purity.
Why Ram Navami Celebrated
Ram Navami is a revered Hindu festival that commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, the esteemed son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya of Ayodhya. Rama ‘s life and teachings embody the essence of righteousness and virtue. On this sacred day, devotees pay homage to Lord Rama. They gather for Rama Katha recitals, where the epic tale of Rama’s life is narrated, and recite verses from revered scriptures like Ramayana.The festival is steeped in the belief that celebrating Ram Navami with fervour and dedication can invoke divine energies, dispelling negativity and fostering a sense of spiritual renewal. As people observe this auspicious day, they find solace in various forms of worship. Some visit temples to offer prayers, while others choose the intimacy of their own homes for personal devotion. The air is filled with the melodious sounds of bhajans and kirtans, as devotees come together to sing praises of Lord Rama. Temples receive offerings of sweets, fruits, and other delicacies, accompanied by elaborate puja ceremonies, all aimed at honouring the revered Lord Rama and inviting positivity into their lives. Through these acts of devotion, devotees seek to connect with the divine essence of Lord Ram.
Significance
Ram Navami symbolizes the triumph of goodness over evil, embodying the principle that Dharma prevails over Adharma. Devotees mark the day by offering water to Suraj Devta (the Sun God) at sunrise, acknowledging the ancestral link to Lord Rama. The festival aims to cultivate positive energy and dispel negativity. Through recitals of Rama Katha and Shrimad Bhagavatam, devotees connect with the essence of this sacred occasion, seeking inspiration from Lord Rama’s virtues and ideals.
Religious procession is being organised in several towns of Odisha including Cuttack, Sambalpur, Bhadrak. Ram Temples across the State are decked up and witnessed a beeline of devotees since early morning.
Some Lesser-Know Facts About Lord Rama
- According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama is believed to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is the preserver while Lord Brahma is the creator of the universe and Lord Shiva is the destroyer.
- Lord Rama was born on the ninth day of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month in Treta Yoga which was mentioned in Maharshi Valmiki’s Ramayana. Rama is the only Hindu God who is worshiped in temples in the human form as a king.
- As per Ramayana, Lord Rama ruled the kingdom for 11000 years. This period is known as Rama Rajya. Lord Rama went into exile at the age of 25 for fourteen years. He returned from exile after defeating Ravana.
- Lord Rama invited Ravana to perform puja as priest before going to conquer Lanka and fight against him. Ravana is considered a great Hindu pandit and mahabrahman.
- Lord Rama rescued Ahalya who had turned a rock for years. She got back her normal life after Lord Rama touched his feet against the rock.
- Lord Hanuman who is considered as the greatest devotee of Bhagban Rama had a pivotal role in Lanka expedition.
- In the Ramayana, a small squirrel plays a significant role in the construction of the Ram Setu. The Ram Setu is a bridge built by Lord Rama and his army of monkeys (Vanaras) to cross over to Lanka and rescue his wife Devi Sita. The squirrel, who was very devoted to Lord Rama, contributed to the construction of the bridge. Lord Rama was pleased with the squirrel’s dedication and devotion.
