Ram Navami is a popular Hindu festival. It is
celebrated on the ninth day (Navami) of the Chaitra month of Hindu lunar year
in 'Shukla paksha' or waxing moon. This festival is celebrated in order to
commemorate the birth of Marayada Purshottam Ram, an incarnation of Lord
Vishnu. This day also known as Sri Rama Navami, marks the end of nine-day
Chaitra-Navratri celebrations. The festival of Ram Navami is held in high
regard not only by the people in India but also by the Hindu community living
in the other parts of the world. The festival is celebrated with immense joy
and enthusiasm. Many devotees also fast on this occasion. It is believed that
all the devotees who fast on this day are showered with immense happiness and
good luck by Lord Rama.
Origin Of Rama Navami
According to the great epic Ramayana, once upon a
time there lived a King named Dasarath, then king of Ayodhya, who had three
wives named Kaushalya, Sumithra and Kaikeyi. As even long after his marriages,
Dasarath was not blessed with a child, this has become a question of worry for
him. Even the people of Ayodhya were disheartened because they had not heir to
their kingdom. At this stage, Rishi Vasistha suggests Dasarath to perform
Puthra Kamesti Yagna, through which he can have a desired child.
Soon King Dasharath agreed to do the Yagya and
headed to Maharshi Rushya Shrunga's ashram, to get him for performing the
yagya. Maharshi agreed and accompanied Dasharath to Ayodhya to solemnize the
perform Puthra Kamesti Yagna. As the result of yagna, Yagneshwar appeared and
hands Dasarath a bowl of kheer and asked him to feed this to his three wives.
Dasarath did the same. He gave one half of the kheer to his elder wife
Kausalya, and another half to his younger wife Kaikeyi. These two gave one half
each of their kheer to Sumithra.
After few days all the three Queens conceived
Dasratha's child. On the ninth day (Navami) of Chaithra Masa (first month in
Hindu calendar), at noon Kaushlya gave birth to Lord Sri Ram, Kaikeyi gave
birth to Bharath, and Sumithra gave birth to twins, Lakshman and Shatrughan. It
was the day of joyous celebrations in Ayodhya. This day since then is
celebrated as an auspicious occasion by the devotees.
History Of Ramnavami
Ram Navami is one of the most ancient festivals
celebrated in India. It is said that the date of Ram Navami can be traced back
to the pre-christian era, as Hinduism is the oldest religion of the world. The
reference of Ramnavami can also be found in the Kalika puran. It is said in the
earlier times, when caste system was prevalent in India; Ramnavami was one of
the few festivals that the lower castes (shudras) were allowed to celebrate. In
Hindu religion, it is considered to one of the five major sacred festivals and
it is said that, properly observing this fast leads to the attainment of
salvation.
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