Lord Sri Ram, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the measureless, the pure Consciousness and bliss,  consort of Sita, Master of Sri Hanuman and the Lord of the three worlds, took his birth at his own will in order to establish righteousness, destroy the wicked and protect his devotees.

Ramnavami or the birthday of Lord SriRam falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April).  SriRam, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, is one of the oldest avatars of Lord Vishnu having a human form. This auspicious day usually falls in the Shukla Paksha on the Navami, the ninth day of the month of Chaitra as per the Hindu calendar. Thus it is also known as Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami and marks the end of the nine-day Chaitra-Navaratri (Vasanta Navaratri) celebrations. Rama Navami is one of the most important Hindu festivals.

Auspicious time

Rama Navami Puja Muhurta = 11:01 to 13:30

Duration = 2 Hours 29 Mins

Rama Navami Madhyahna Moment = 12:16

Navami Tithi Begins = 21:29 on 14/Apr/2016

Navami Tithi Ends = 22:03 on 15/Apr/2016

Eight types of fasting is suggested during Rama Navami. Which means devotes should observe the fast from sunrise to sunrise.

Rama Navami Vrat can be observed in three different ways,
Casual - which can be observed without any cause
Continual - which can be observed throughout life without any desire
Desirable - which can be observed to fulfill any desire

At some places the festival is celebrated for nine days of the Navaratri period and thus the period is called 'SriRam Navaratra'. It is marked by continuous recitals, Akhand Paath, mostly of the Ramacharitamanas, oand culminates on this day, with elaborate bhajan, kirtan and distribution of prasad after the puja and aarti. Images of the infant SriRam is placed on cradles and rocked by devotees.

In Bhadrachalam the auspicious day is celebrated as the wedding anniversary of Lord Sri Ram and his Nepalese consort Sita. Sitarama Kalyanam, the ceremonial wedding ceremony of the divine couple is held at temples, with great fanfare.

The important celebrations on this day take place at Janakpurdham(Nepal), Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) Sita Samahit Sthal (Sitamarhi) (Bihar), Bhadrachalam (Telangana), Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta (Andhra Pradesh) and Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu).

Here is the nutshell story of the Ramayana, which can be recited by everyone and is believed to get all the blessings of reading full Ramayan.

“Aadho Ramam thapo vanadhi gamanam, Hathwa mrugam kanchanam,
Vaidehi haranam, jatayu maranam, Sugreeva sambhashanam,
Bali nigrahanam, samudhra tharanam, Lanka pureem dahanam,
Paschad Ravana Kumbha karna haranam, Ethat ithi Ramayanam”

“Formerly, Sri Rama went to the forests, where Rishis did penance, and killed the illusive deer. Sita was carried away and Jatayu was killed. Rama met Sugriva, killed Vali and crossed the ocean. The city of Lanka was burnt by Hanuman. The demons, Ravana and Kumbhakarna, were then killed. Thus is recited the holy Ramayana”.

May you all attain the final beatitude of life through intense devotion towards Lord SriRam! May you live immersed in the ecstasy of divine love! May Lord SriRam,  who is as effulgent as a million suns and who is adored by the gods and devotees, protect you all! May the blessings of Lord SriRam be upon you all!

By Premji