Rama Navami, this year is on the 17th of April. It is a significant Hindu festival commemorating the birth of Lord Rama. This along with Krishna Jayanthi and Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated with immense fervor across India.
In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, the birthplace of Lord Rama, grand festivities unfold. We can expect millions of devotees to participate in the Ratha Yatras this year, carrying idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman through the streets.
Special prayers adorn the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, even as pilgrims bathe in the Saryu River. Community feasts, known as Bhandaras, are set up to distribute food to the needy.
Even in South India, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, temples dedicated to Lord Rama are decked up. Spiritual discourses, bhajans, and recitations of the Ramayana are organized and prasadam like Panakam and neer mor are served to everyone.
In Bihar and Jharkhand, fasting and temple visits mark the day, accompanied by soulful kirtans and readings of the Ramcharitmanas, while in Maharashtra, Satyanarayan Puja is conducted. Some households embark on the Akhand Ramayan, a continuous recitation of the Ramayana. In West Bengal, a Rathayatra at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple near Kolkata is pulled with Devotees thronging the streets chanting the name of Lord Rama.
In Nepal, Rama Navami is celebrated as Ghatasthapana or Chaitra Navratri. The Janaki Mandir in Janakpur, dedicated to Goddess Sita, becomes a hub for grand processions and cultural programs.
Beyond these regions, countries like Malaysia where I, Pushpam Appalanaidu belong to conduct satsangs and chant Rama Nama.
One must understand that Rama Navami transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, uniting people in devotion and reflection. It symbolizes reverence for Lord Rama and the values he embodies—virtue, righteousness, and the triumph of good over evil. Across India, this auspicious day serves as a reminder of the eternal significance of faith and devotion in the hearts of millions.
I, Pushpam Appalanaidu bow down to Lord Rama and offer my humble prayers to him
