Ram Navami is celebrated with great zeal by Hindus all over the world. It is a
festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. Lord Rama, the son of King
Dasharath and Queen Kaushalya is regarded as the avatara (incarnation) of Lord
Vishnu, one of the supreme Hindu deity. According to the old Indian epics, Ram
was born after a lot of prayers and yagya (holy bonfire) and as he was born as
the royal inheritor of Ayodhya, his birth day was a joyous occasion in Ayodhya.
It was very much like a dream come true for Dasharath as the lack of an heir was
a big trouble for him even long after his marriage.
Reason Behind Rama Navami Puja
It is said that Lord Vishnu took the avatar of Rama when he saw the growing
havoc of the invincible Ravana on earth. As it is said, when the troubles
created by Ravana started increasing on earth, Lord Brahma started receiving
complaints from all the gods about the mayhem that Ravana was inflicting on
earth. However, as Lord had granted Ravana an exceptional boon that he could
never be killed by a god, all the Gods in heaven had become helpless.
However as soon as Gods realized the loophole in his boon that Ravana had not
asked for invincibility from a human being, Lord Vishnu decided to go to earth
in the guise of Maryada Pushottam Ram, the son of King Dasharath and Queen
Kaushalya to save the earth and his devotees from the wrathes of Ravana and his
unreligious measures. This great legend is known to every Indian irrespective of
caste, creed and religion.
Lord Rama is worshipped in the country as an epitome of an ideal man. One who is
good and true and the one who is ideal in every regard- a perfect son, an ideal
brother, a wonderful husband, a mighty king and a great father. He is not simply
thought of a hero, but as someone who is the true representation of a flawless
man. Therefore, it is no surprise that his birthday is celebrated year after
year with great enthusiasm on the ninth day after the new moon in Shukal Paksh
(the waxing moon), which falls sometime in the month of April.
Doing Pooja On Ramnavmi
Ramnavami Pooja is held in high regards by all the Hindus all over the world.
Most of the people prefer to observe a whole day fast on this day. Generally
devotees prefers to be on a satvik food without salt, however there are people
who also go for Nirjal fast that is fast even without water. Those who are
satvik fast consume potatoes made in any form without haldi (turmeric), garlic,
ginger or onion. He can also eat fruit and root vegetables of any kind. Curd,
tea, coffee, milk, and water are also permitted.
There is no very specific ritual to perform pooja. People visit temples and
listen to stories of Ram janam (Rama's birth) and various other legends from
Ramayana. Devotees also sing bhajans praising the deeds of Lord Rama, his loyal
brother Lakshman, his devoted wife Sita and Rama's greatest devotee Hanuman. If
the pooja is preformed at home, the home is first of all cleaned properly and
pictures of Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman are put on a dais in
preparation for the puja.
All the members of the family together worship the deity on his birthday.
Devotees offer flowers, sweets and light diyas and incense sticks in order to
please Lord Rama and his consort. Two thaalis are kept ready infront of the
deities. One thali containing the prasada and the other containing necessary
items like roli, aipun, rice, water, flowers, bell and conch for the pooja
rituals. After lighting the diyas and incense sticks, devotees sprinkle holy
water, roli, and aipun and rice on the deities. They also read out holy mantras
in order to please thje deity. After the pooja is done, an aarti is performed
and the holy water from the pooja is sprinkled over the devotees as a sign of
blessing and auspiciousness from God. The youngest female member of the family
then applies teeka to all the male members of the family. At the last the holy
prasad is distributed among all the people who have gathered for worship. |
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