- By James Kuanal
- Thu, 02 Apr 2020 08:01 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
New Delhi | Jagran Lifestyle Desk: One of the significant festivals in the country, Ram Navami is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Ram-- seventh avatar of Lord Vishu. The festival is marked by devotional worship like bhajan and kirtan, and reading passages of Ramayana. It falls on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri and worshipped along with Maa Siddhidatri-- eighth avatar of Goddess Durga. Ardent Devotees of Lord Ram on this day observes fast and wakes up overnight.
The day is marked by depicting the story of Lord Ram-- Ramayan. Ardent devotees of Lord Vishnu observe fast, visits a nearby temple or pray within their home. Some people even remain awake overnight and participate in bhajan and kirtan along with puja and aarti. Some devotees mark this event by taking statues of Lord Ram, washes and clothes it and places it on a cradle. In some places, charitable meals are organised.
Major celebrations during the festival take place in Ayodhya (birthplace of Lord Ram). Shiba Yatra is taken out with people dressing themselves as Ram, Sita, Laxman, and Hanuman. In Ayodhya, several devotees take bath in Sarayu river before visiting the temple.
Puja Timings:
From 3:40 am on April 2 (Thursday) till 2:43 am on April 3.
Puja Vidhi for Ram Navami
Wake up early, take bath and wash clothes
Clean your house
Place Lord Ram in the puja room
Place Akshat, Roli, Chandan, Dhup, incense sticks.
Place delicacies to appease Lord Ram.
Read Ramayana
Perform aarti
Distribute prasad with everyone
Give clothes and money to the needy.
Note: Those who observe fast on Ram Navami can only consume fruits.
The next day worship Lord Ram again before breaking the fast.
Besides this, a separate Kanya Pujan is done on Ram Navami. Nine girls are invited to the house and are worshipped as nine forms of Goddess Durga (this is because Ram Navami falls on the last day of Chaitra Navratri). They are served halwa and puri.