RAMANAVAMI
The Birth of Lord Rama This nine-day Hindu festival, celebrated in the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra, commemorates the birth of Lord Rama who was born to annihilate the demon King Ravana. Ramanavami celebrates the birth of Rama or Ramachandra. The festival is celebrated on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Chaitra. In some parts of India, it is a nine-day festival, coinciding with the Vasanta Navaratri. It finds mention in ancient texts and literature. This is an occasion for great rejoicing especially for the Vaishnavas who celebrate it with due solemnity allover the country. The ancient texts lay stress on fasting on this day, and it is believed that anyone who does not will go to the worst hell. It is also said that Rama fulfills the wishes of all those who pray to him on this day. The public worship starts with morning ablutions, chanting Vedic mantras dedicated to Vishnu, and offering flowers and fruit to the god. People keep a fast throughout the day, breaking it only at midnight with fruit. In some parts of India, especially Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, public gatherings called satsangs are organised to commemorate the birth of Rama. Excerpts from the Ramacharitamanas, extoling the glory of Rama, are recited. People of all castes and creeds participate in these gatherings to listen to the stories and their explanations offered by the learned. Ramanavami brings together people of different castes. In earlier times, it was specified that this festival be celebrated by all, perhaps as away to release the social tension that existed due to the caste system. With the decline of the caste rigidness, this festival is now celebrated to sing the glory of a great mythical hero and is a source of divine inspirations. Ayodhya is the focus of great celebrations. A huge fair is organised for two days. Ratha yatras or `chariot processions` of Rama and his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman, are taken out from many temples. Hanuman is worshipped for his unflinching devotion to Rama, and his worship forms an important part of the Ramanavami celebrations. People keep awake the whole of the nineth night, in anticipation of Rama`s birth. They sing devotional songs in praise of him and rock hisimage in cradles to celebrate his birth. There are also recitations from the Ramacharitamanas. A special puja is performed the next morning as thanksgiving. Though the public worship of Ramais of recent origin, his worship inside the home dates back to the pre-Christian era. Reference to keeping a strict fast on Ramanavami is found in the Kalika Purana. The vrata of Ramanavami was considered one of the five most important vratas of the ancient times. The Ramachandrika and Vratarka expressly state that everybody is obligated to observe this vrata as it is the sole means of worldly happiness and salvation. This includes members of the lowest castes and outcastes, who were ordinarily not permitted to observe social and religious rituals.