Sri RAMA NAVAMI IS ON FRIDAY APRIL 11, 2003 Sri Ramanavami, the nine-day long Hindu festival comprises Lord Rama's birth anniversary and it is always celebrated in the month of March/April. This is the time when Lord Vishnu took the seventh avtar and Lord Ram was born to destroy the demon King Ravana. On the ninth lunar day of the month of Chaitra under the star Punarvasu Lord Rama was born. Ramnavami is a festival and celebration that brings its devotees worldly happiness and salvation. In some Hindu groups, prayers on this day start with an invocation to Rama as well as to Surya (sun God). This is an occasion for great rejoicing especially for the Vaishnavas who celebrate it with due solemnity all over the country. Ramanavami is celebrated on the ninth day of the Navratras. People fast throughout the day on Ramnavami, which is considered to be one of the five most important vratas of ancient times. The people wake early in the morning, to make offerings of flowers and fruits to the God. They also visit temples, which are decorated with flowers. Jhankis, or tableaus, depicting various stages of Lord Rama's life, adorn the temples. Satsangs and keertans are organized, to commemorate the birth of Rama. Ayodhya, the birthplace of Rama, is the center of activity. People of all castes and creeds participate in these gatherings to listen to the stories Of Rama and their explanations offered by the learned. The Ramnavami festival offers the devotees an opportunity to imbibe at least some of the ideals enshrined in Shri Rama. On this great day Lord Rama is worshipped, prayers are offered to him and it is the sure way of drink his ideals for which he is still fondly remembered. One who approaches his lotus feet with love, devotion and humility becomes noble, large hearted, pious, peaceful, master of senses and the beloved of the wise. The Ramayana means the ways of Shri Rama. This great Indian epic is based on the life and hardship of Lord Rama. Ramayana receives great reverence till modern times as the greatest epic because it embodies the best of human ideals and sums up the character pertaining to Indian reality. In South India, offerings to the deity include sugar candy, a sweet drink called Panagam, and a few spring products. Colourful processions are taken out in some places, which comprise brilliant floats of Rama, his wife Sita, Rama's loyal younger brother Lakshmana and Hanuman. The people who wish to achieve something worthwhile in life, should seek the blessings of Lord Rama on the Ramanavami day, that symbolize the victory of good over the evil.
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