"Raama Raama Raameti Rame Raame Manorame.
Sahasranaama Tattulyam Raamanaama Varaanane."
Rama Navami The festival of Ram Navami is the celebration of birthday of the Hindu God, Shri Ram. Shri Ram was the seventh incarnation (Avatar) of Lord Vishnu and born in Ayodha, an ancient Indian city. Rama Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of Hindu month of Chaitra (April). Ram Navami marks the end of nine day long festival called Chaitra Navratri or Vasanta Navratri. On this auspicious day devotees observes fasting, visits temples to offer special prayers, takes religious processions and the special readings of Ramayana are also hold.
Lord Rama is revered by Hindus all over as the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband and above all, the ideal king. On the day of Rama Navami the birth of Rama is remembered for his prosperous and righteous reign.
His Divine Life
Rama, the perfect avatar of the Supreme Protector Vishnu, is an all-time favorite among Hindu deities. The most popular symbol of chivalry and virtue, Rama the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband and above all, the ideal king. The heroic deeds of Rama and his exciting adventures have inspired generations of people.
Importance Of Fasting On Ram Navami
A Ram devotee keep a strict fast on Ram Navami, because the Ram Navami vrata is considered to be one of the five most important vratas in the ancient times. According to the ancient religious texts, it is imperative for every devotee to observe the Ram Navami vrat, as it is the only easy mean of gaining happiness in the material world and achieving salvation at the same time.
Sri Rama Navami is celebrated with a great passion by Hindus. It is believed that Sri Ram Chandra was born on this auspicious day. Chaitra Navaratri is a festival of nine days and the ninth day is termed as Navami. The date falls on of the Hindu month Chaitra and 9th day after new moon. This phase of fortnight is known as Shuklapaksha. As per English calendar the date falls any time in between March and April. The ninth day of the Chaitra Navaratri or Sri Ram Navami is the last day of this festival.
The 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu was Sri Ram Chandra. He was the great ruler of the kingdom of Ayodhya. The purpose of his birth was to kill the demon King Ravana. Lord Rama is a symbol of embodiment of truth and ethics that’s why this divine person is worshipped by Hindus. He represented himself as a perfect son, the idyllic husband, the idyllic brother and the king with great principles. Lord Rama is respected and memorized for his affluent and honorable sovereignty as a king. The ruling period of Lord Rama called the Ramarajyam which was the era of great harmony, serenity and prosperity. During this ceremony the people belong to northern India generally greet each other as Jai Sri Ram or ‘Jai Ramjee Ki’.
The tale of Lord Rama’s life is known as The Ramayana or The Ramcharitmanas. Maharshi Valmiki had written this divine book and then same was done by Tulsidas correspondingly. After that it has been decoded into almost every Indian lingo and language of India. One will found this book in the home of every Hindu.
Ram Navami begun with early Morning Prayer which was dedicated to the Sun God. This was pursued by the customary worship of Sri Rama which begun with the reciting of Vedic mantras devoted to Lord Vishnu. The God was presented with flowers and fruits. During middle of the day a special prayer was done, dedicated to God Rama, the time when it was done is supposed to be birth time of Lord Rama. After that a procession was taken out where idol of Sri Rama, with wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and devoted disciple Lord Hanuman was arranged in Chariot. People were crowded with great enthusiasm to see this procession.
All enthusiastic Hindu keep starve on this holy day, perform puja, and contribute in the celebrations. Traditional devotees fast through out the Chaitra Navaratri, and live on consuming fruits and milk only. Sri Ram Navami vratam is measured to be one of the five most significant vratams. In a number of old holy books it was referred that performance of the vratam is vital for every devotee. There was a common belief that Lord Rama executes the needs of all his devotees who perform prayer true heartedly devoted to him on this occasion.
On this auspicious day, the verses from the holy book of Ramayana were chanted in almost all temples. The Kalyanotsavam also performed throughout Sri Rama Navami at the Bhadrachalam temple located in AP is very admired by the disciples. A big fair is organized at Ayodhya, the place of birth of Sri Rama. At several places satsangs are held and people are crowded with great passion to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Lord.
Celebrations
It is said that Rama fulfills the wishes of all those who pray to him on this day. On this day, temples are decorated and the image of Lord Ram is richly adorned. The holy Ramayana is read in the temples. At Ayodhya, the birthplace of Sri Rama, a big fair is held on this day. In South India the Sri Ramnavami Utsavam is celebrated for nine days with great fervour and devotion. Traditional worship begins with chanting Vedic mantras dedicated to Vishnu, and offering flowers and fruit to the god. Satsangs and public gatherings are organized to commemorate the birth of Lord Ram. Excerpts from the "Ramacharitamanas", praising Lord Ram, are recited. Lord Ram's devotees, fast for nine days with fruit and milk, whilst some fast on the ninth day only. (referred by-http://www.surfindia.com/ and By-www-Templesindia.org)