Rama Navami
Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. According to ancient history, Lord Rama was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya from the dynasty of Ikshvaku (also known as Raghu Vamsha) in Ayodhya. He is believed to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu’s Dhasha Avatara (10 incarnations).
He was born in the Shukla Paksha on the ninth day in the month of Chaitra in the afternoon. Hindus believe that Lord Vishnu incarnates himself periodically on earth in various forms to preserve the doctrine of dharma (ethics), and also to protect the good and destroy evil. Lord Rama’s birth on earth came at a time when the demon King Ravana was harassing and causing havoc for Sages and His devotees. It is believed that Ravana was spreading adharma over dharma. Lord Brahma, the creator of this world had granted King Ravana many boons – one of them being that he could not be killed by a God.
The life and activities of Sri Rama are explained in detail by the great sage Valmiki in the epic book of Ramayana. Valmiki Ramayana consists of 7 Kandas (sections) – Bala kanda, Ayodhya Kanda, Aranya Kanda, Kishkinda Kanda, Sundara Kanda and Yuddha Kanda and Uttara Kanda. The complete text of the Ramayana is read continually for 10 days before Rama Navami. On Rama Navami day it is concluded with Pattabhishekam the coronation of Rama as the King after 14 years in exile.
The noble lesson in Ramayana is the supreme importance of righteousness in the life of every human being. Everyone should follow in the footsteps of Lord Rama, and practice his ideals so there can be everlasting peace, prosperity and welfare in the world.
How to celebrate
Items required for puja
The following items should be purchased prior to the puja day.
One the day of the puja; clean the stoop and draw Rangoli, if possible, tie a string of mango leaves by the front door. Take a bath, wear clean clothes and follow the steps of the puja:
- Picture or Idol of Lord Rama in the Pooja room
- Fresh and washed mango leaves
- Sandalwood
- One coconut
- Kumkum
- Turmeric
- Betel leaves and betel nuts
- Flowers and Fruits
Puja at home (process) (Link to the complete puja process)
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Hindu worship or puja at home requires idols (murtis/deity) and prayers (mantras). Usually the deity(s) or pictures are kept in a quiet place called a puja room. Puja in Sanskrit means “honor” or “worship”. We welcome God or Goddess the same way as we welcome our guests. If time is of the essence, the following steps can be taken for the puja:
- Sit on a small carpet or low stool (raised wood plank) facing North or East.
- Create an altar for Lord Rama & Sita Devi.
- Clean the place and God/Goddess by sprinkling few drops of water. Use a separate cloth to wipe the God/Goddess and later, apply Haldi (turmeric) & Kumkum to the deity.
- Light the lamps and place in front of the altar.
- Keep betel leaves, nuts, flowers and fruits in a plate in front of the altar.
- After keeping the items in front of the God/Goddess, begin with Ganesh or Vishwaksena puja.
- Then, start chanting shlokas or mantras as per your family traditions.
- After worshiping with shlokas, you decorate Lord Rama and Seta Devi with flowers and offer Naivedyam.
- Light aarti Diya and perform aarti.
- Finally, conclude with Pradakshina (circumambulation, which means going in a clockwise direction) namaskar at the end of puja.
- Give everyone present, prasad which you offered as Naivedyam.
Suggested Chants
- If possible, read Ramayana for 10 days
- Read “pattabhishekam” (crowning of Lord Rama as the king after he get’s back to Ayodhya.
- Lord Rama Shloka
- Sri Rama Moola Mantra
Activities for kids (https://web.ockypocky.com/fun-ways-to-celebrate-ram-navami-with-kids)
- Creating Lord Rama’s Journey to Sri Lanka – creating towns and story through Lego.