Rama Navami

Details regarding the birth of Rama is mentioned in Valmiki's Ramayana and the Mahabharata.{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&q=hinduism+an+alphabetical+guide |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |date=2014-04-18 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-81-8475-277-9 |pages=1571–1580 |language=en}} As noted, Rama was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in the city of Ayodhya. King Dasharatha had three wives - Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, but remained sonless for many years. Desperate for an heir, Dasharatha organized a sacrifice to be conducted under the authority of the sage, Rishyasringa, which concluded with a celestial figure that emerged from a fire with a pot of rice and milk. As instructed, the king divided the contents of the pot among his wives to drink. As a result, Kausalya gave birth to Rama on the ninth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the lunar cycle of Chaitra (March–April), also known as Rama Navami. Furthermore, Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata and Sumitra bore twins - Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Thus, with the birth of four sons, Dasharatha's desire was fulfilled.{{Cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AbWazgEACAAJ |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |date=2002 |publisher=Rosen |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8 |pages=175 |language=en}}

A number of cities mentioned in the Ramayana legends about Rama's life observe major celebrations. These include Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu), Bhadrachalam (Telangana) and Sitamarhi (Bihar).

The rituals and customs associated with Rama Navami vary from region to region throughout India. Many of these traditions include reading and listening to discourses from the Ramayana, organizing ratha yatras (chariot processions), charitable events, hosting a wedding procession (kalyanotsavam) of Rama and Sita, and offering reverence to Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman who have played important roles in Rama's life story.{{cite book|author=Steven Rosen|title=Essential Hinduism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WuVG8PxKq_0C&pg=PA212 |year=2006|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-275-99006-0|page=212}} Surya, the Hindu solar deity, is also worshipped among some communities.{{cite book |author=Constance A Jones |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lD_2J7W_2hQC&pg=PA739 |title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-59884-206-7 |editor=J. Gordon Melton |pages=739–740}}

In Karnataka, Rama Navami is celebrated by the local mandalis (organizations) and streets, by dispersing free panaka (a jaggery drink) and some food. Additionally, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, the Sree Ramaseva Mandali, R.C.T (R.) Chamrajpet, organizes India's most prestigious, month-long classical music festival. The uniqueness of this 80 year old musical extravaganza is that celebrated Indian classical musicians, irrespective of their religion, from both genres – Carnatic (South Indian) and Hindustani (North Indian) – descend down to offer their musical rendition to Rama and the assembled audience.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ramanavami.org/about-us|title=Sree Ramaseva Mandali, Retrospect | Our Impact|website=www.ramanavami.org}}

In eastern Indian states such as Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, the Jagannath temples and regional Vaishnava community observe Rama Navami, and begin preparations for their annual Jagannath Ratha Yatra in summer.[http://odishasuntimes.com/2016/01/24/logs-for-trinitys-chariots-arrive-in-odishas-puri-town/ Logs for Trinity’s chariots arrive in Odisha’s Puri town], Odisha Sun Times (24 January 2016)

Nepal celebrates Ram Navami with particular enthusiasm, especially at the Janaki Temple in Janakpur (Sita's birthplace). The temple hosts week-long celebrations including ritual bathing of Ram's image in milk and water from sacred wells. Local traditions incorporate elements of Mithila culture with distinctive art forms featuring geometric patterns and natural dyes.{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Aayush |title=Ram Navami: Exploring Its Significance, Rituals, and Cultural Importance |url=https://nepalirudraksha.com/blogs/blog/ram-navami-significance |website=Nepa Rudraksha}}

Devotees associated with ISKCON fast throughout the day. A number of ISKCON temples introduced a more prominent celebration of the occasion of the holiday with the view of addressing needs of growing native Hindu congregation. It was however a notable calendar event on the traditional Gaurabda calendar with a specific additional requirement of fasting by devotees.{{cite journal | author = Zaidman, N. | year = 2000 | title = The Integration of Indian Immigrants to Temples Run by North Americans | journal = Social Compass | volume = 47 | issue = 2 | pages = 205–219 |quote=Another example of a religious enterprise initiated by a board member was the organization of Lord Ramachandra Appearance Day (Sri Ram Navami). | doi = 10.1177/003776800047002005| s2cid = 144392375 }}

ISKCON's Dubai chapter called Damodardesh, led by Shri Vallabh Prabhu, has been organizing annual spiritual & cultural congregations on Rama Navami with thousands of devotees gathering for Rama Pooja, Pallaki & Ratha Yatra by pious priests, Harikatha by leading scholars, dance performances by lovely groups such as NANDA Performing Arts by Guru Iswarya Bharadwaj and Bhajans by renowned members of the society including Shri Nandakumar Prabhu & Shri Harinam Prabhu.

On April 17, 2024, the first Rama Navami after the consecration of Ayodhya's Ram Temple was celebrated by thousands of devotees across India.{{cite news|date=18 April 2024|title=Ayodhya Temple On Ram Navami, 'Surya Tilak' shines on Ram Lalla|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/ayodhya-temple-on-ram-navami-surya-tilak-shines-on-ram-lalla-9276650/|work=Indian Express|access-date=18 April 2024}} On this occasion, the Ram Temple witnessed a unique event at noon as the forehead of the Ram Lalla murti was anointed with a ray of sunlight, known as Surya Tilak.{{cite news|date=17 April 2024|title=The Science Behind 'Surya Tilak' Ceremony At Ayodhya's Ram Temple|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/the-science-behind-surya-tilak-ceremony-at-ayodhyas-ram-temple-5460250 | work=NDTV|access-date=18 April 2024}} Scores of devotees watched the live-streaming of the event across the globe.

During Rama Navami, reading or listening from literature about Rama is a common practice. Reading the entire Ramayana (Hindu epic entailing the adventures of Rama){{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Constance A. |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |last2=Ryan |first2=James D. |publisher=Facts On File |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-8160-5458-9 |location=New York |pages=353}} for a week leading up to Rama Navami is organized. The earliest version of the text was composed by the sage Valmiki.File:A View of Bhadrachalam Gopuram.JPG is one of the major Rama Navami celebration sites.]]Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, a later version of the Ramayana written in the vernacular of that time, is also popularly recited.{{Cite news |date=2023-03-31 |title=Ram Navami 2023: Date, Shubh Muhurat, History, Puja Vidhi, Celebration and Significance |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/ram-navami-2023-date-shubh-muhurat-history-puja-vidhi-celebration-and-significance/articleshow/99057637.cms |access-date=2023-04-05 |issn=0971-8257}} The start of the composition of the Ramcharitmanas began on Rama Navami.{{Cite book |last=Dole |first=Manoj |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i1ukEAAAQBAJ&dq=tulsidas+ramnavami&pg=PA148 |title=Great Indian Sant |publisher=Manoj Dole |pages=148 |language=en}}

A public dramatic performance, known as Ramlila, is annually hosted on the festivals of Rama Navami and Vijayadashami.{{Cite book |last=Mohapatra |first=J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R0aVAgAAQBAJ&dq=rituals+of+ram+navami&pg=PA94 |title=Wellness in Indian Festivals & Rituals: Since the Supreme Divine Is Manifested in All the Gods, Worship of Any God Is Quite Legitimate. |date=2013-12-24 |publisher=Partridge Publishing |isbn=978-1-4828-1689-1 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Kasbekar |first=Asha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sv7Uk0UcdM8C&dq=ram+lila&pg=PA42 |title=Pop Culture India!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle |date=2006 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-85109-636-7 |pages=42 |language=en}} Ramlila encapsulates the story of Rama through music, drama, dance and various other mediums.{{Cite book |last=Mohapatra |first=J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R0aVAgAAQBAJ&dq=rituals+of+ram+navami&pg=PA94 |title=Wellness in Indian Festivals & Rituals: Since the Supreme Divine Is Manifested in All the Gods, Worship of Any God Is Quite Legitimate. |date=2013-12-24 |publisher=Partridge Publishing |isbn=978-1-4828-1689-1 |pages=94 |language=en}} The enactments of Ramlila are inspired by the Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas.

Rama Navami is one of the Hindu festivals that is celebrated by the Indian diaspora with roots in Uttar Pradesh and other states.{{Cite web|date=2020-04-01|title=Ram Navami 2020 to be observed on 2 April: All you need to know about the festival, celebrations |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/ram-navami-2020-to-be-observed-on-2-april-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-festival-celebrations-8214701.html|access-date=2020-07-22|website=Firstpost}} The descendants of Indian indentured servants who were forced to leave India due to famines and then promised jobs in colonial South Africa before 1910 in British-owned plantations and mines, and thereafter lived under the South African apartheid regime, continued to celebrate Rama Navami by reciting the Ramayana and by singing bhajans of Tyagaraja and Bhadrachala Ramdas. The tradition continues in contemporary times in the Hindu temples of Durban every year.Paula Richman (2008), Ways of Celebrating Ram's Birth: Ramayana Week in Durban, South Africa, Religions of South Asia, Volume 2 Issue 2, pp. 109–133

Similarly, in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, other Caribbean countries, Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore, Denmark and many other countries with Hindu descendants of colonial-era indentured workers forced to leave British India have continued to observe Rama Navami along with their other traditional festivals.{{cite book|author=Steven Vertovec|title=Hindu Trinidad: Religion, Ethnicity and Socio-Economic Change |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G1gYAAAAYAAJ|year=1992|publisher=Macmillan Academic |isbn=978-0-333-53505-9|page=211}}

It is also celebrated by Hindus in Fiji and Fijian Hindus who have re-migrated elsewhere.{{cite book|author=Brian A. Hatcher|title=Hinduism in the Modern World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IdeoCgAAQBAJ |year=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-04631-6|pages=116–117}}

• List of Hindu festivals
• Rama Navami riots
• Sita Navami

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{commons category-inline|Ramanavami}}
• [https://www.vedicinsight.in/festival/shri-raam-nam-mahima/ Rama Navami Special – Shri Raam Nam Mahima] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020173747/https://www.vedicinsight.in/festival/shri-raam-nam-mahima/ |date=20 October 2021 }}

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