Ram Navami, Birth of Lord Ram
Ram Navami is the birthday of Lord Rama that; the festival falls on the 9th day of the month of Chaitra. The Ram Navami is one of the most important festivals of the Hindus. The festival is celebrated by the Vaishnava which is the part of the Hindus religion. During the festival, lot of devotees who come to pray repeat the name of Lord Rama with every breath and they take a vow to lead a righteous life. People pray to attain the goodness of life through devotion towards Rama. They invoke Lord Rama for his blessings and protection.
The devotees who come to the worship have a strict fast on this day. Temples and the image of the Lord Shiva are decorated. The holy Ramayanam is being repeated in the temples. In the south of India the "Sri Ramnavami Utsavam" is celebrated for nine long days with great fervor and devotion. The Kirtanists celebrate the holy name of Rama and celebrate the wedding of Rama with Sita on this day.
Most of the people fast on these days. Lot of Bhajans praising the exploits of Lord Rama, his loyal brother Lakshman and his devoted wife Sita are sung. During the festival time the houses are swept and kept clean and neat. The pictures of the Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman are put on a dais along with the preparation for the Puja. Lots of fragrant flowers and incense sticks are kept in front of the deities. There are normally two thaalis kept ready in the puja area. One contains the prasad and the other the items necessary for the puja like roli, aipun, rice, water, flowers, a bell and a conch.
The sacred Mantras "Om Sri Ramaya Namah" or "Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram" is narrated. All the devotees read the whole of the Ramayana, either the Sanskrit version of Sage Valmiki or the Hindi versions. T hose who have adopted Lord Rama as their favorite deity observe a fast, taking only milk and fruit for all the nine days. Some fast only on the Ram Navami day itself. The last day of Ram navami, takes place a grand worship of Lord Rama which is organized in the gorgeously decorated temple. All the Vedic rituals including Laksharchana are performed.
In the beginning, the most of the youngest female member or sibling of the traditional family keep teeka to all the male members of the family. A thick red colored bindi is applied on the foreheads of all the female members. Eveyone take part and participate in the puja. The puja starts by first sprinkling the water, roli, and aipun on the gods and then showering handfuls of rice on the deities. Then all the worshippers and the members stand up to perform the arti at the end of which ganga jal or plain water is sprinkled over the gathering. The singing of bhajans goes on for the entire puja. Finally, the prasad is distributed among the people who have gathered for worship.