Sri Rama Navami is the auspicious appearance day of Lord Sri Ramachandra. Sri Ramachandra appeared in the month of Chaitra (March – April), on the ninth day of the growing moon (Chaitra Masa, Shukla Paksha, Navami Tithi) and this particular day is celebrated as Sri Rama Navami every year.
Sri Ramachandra appeared as the son of Dasharatha, the king of Ayodhya, who hailed from the dynasty of Maharaja Ikshvaku (also known as Raghu vamsha). Dasharatha had three wives: Kaushalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra, but he had no children. On the advice of Maharishi Vashishtha, the king performed a Putra Kameshti Yajna. As a result, the three wives conceived sons. Kaushalya gave birth to Rama and Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata. Sumitra gave birth to the twins: Lakshmana and Shatrughna. The life and activities of Sri Rama are explained in detail by the great sage Valmiki in the epic Ramayana. A summarized version of the Ramayana as narrated by Shukadeva Goswami to Parikshit Maharaja is included in the ninth canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana).
Sri Rama Navami Celebrations
Devotees fast throughout the day and remember Sri Rama, by chanting His holy names or hearing from the Ramayana. They break the fast at sunset. You can also observe Rama Navami Vrata at home. The Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama are decorated as Rama and Lakshmana. This special alankara happens only once in a year. Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, the cowherd boys of Vrindavana, accept royal robes and appear as the princes of Ayodhya holding bows and arrows in Their hands. In the evening the utsava Deities of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra are decorated as Sita Rama and taken in a procession around the temple. Devotees sing the glories of Lord Rama and chant His names. After the procession, devotees perform Rama Taraka Homa by chanting the Sri Rama Ashtottara Shata Nama. After the homa, a special shayana arati is performed. Devotees sing Nama Ramayana – a song That narrates the entire Ramayana. The shayana arati is followed by a pallakki utsava. On this day panakam and kosambari are distributed as prasadam to all visitors to the temple.
