On this Sunday 10th April 2022, the Hindu community is celebrating Rama Navami, which celebrates the birth of the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama. Rama was born in Ayodhya as the son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya of the Raghu Kula (Solar Dynasty). He was born on the ninth day of Chaitra month at noon. This day coincides with the ninth day of Chaitra (Vasanta) Navratri, which is the day the fasting concludes. As per the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls in the month of March or April.
The significance of the festival is that it indicates the victory of good over evil and establishment of dharma over adharma. The Rama Navami festival celebration starts with jal (water) offering in the early morning to Surya (a sun god) to get blessings from him. People also believe that descendants of Surya were ancestors of Rama.
The celebration of Rama Navami is done with devotion and joy. Houses are decorated and deity idols are beautifully decorated with flowers, clothes and jewels. The celebrations include fasting, singing of devotional songs, visiting temple and recitation of hymns from Rama Charitmanas. In some places, the celebrations start from the first day of Chaitra Navratri until Navami, while Rama Lila, a theatrical enactment of Ramayana, recitation of Ramayana, chariot procession of Rama, Sita and Laxman idols is done, discourse on Ramayana by story-tellers and satsangs are organized at few places.
In Mauritius, Rama Navami is celebrated with a nine day fasting where the Ramayana is recited in temples accompanied with Bhajan and Kirtan dedicated to Lord Rama. On the day of the celebrations, special prayers are offered to Lord Rama and a small idol of Rama is placed in a small swing where each and every devotee present get to swing baby Rama, symbolizing the new born Rama.
On this note, Le Matinal Wishes you a very Happy Rama Navami.
Jai Shri Rama
