Being the birthplace of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, Ayodhya is laden with cultural significance. And when it’s about celebrating the birth of their beloved King, no one does it better and grander than the people of Ram Janmabhoomi! Especially now that Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir has also been consecrated, you can expect the festival to be celebrated with even greater grandeur. Let’s take a look at how Ram Navami in Ayodhya is celebrated.
What Is Ram Navami?
Ram Navami is the birthday of Lord Rama, the incarnation that would later go on to become the king of Ayodhya. He descended from the solar dynasty as the son of King Dashratha and Queen Kaushalya.
The festival is celebrated during March to April or the Hindu month of Chaitra. While the dates may vary, the celebrations take place for nine days. Ram Navami usually happens on the ninth day of Chaitra, marking the end of the festival.
Ram Navami Celebrations In Ayodhya
Ayodhya takes center stage when it comes to the Ram Navami celebrations. The whole city is taken by religious fervor and decorated with lights and diyas. Devotees and tourists from all over visit the city to take part in the celebrations. Here’s what you can do here during the festival!
Rituals And Pujas
During Ram Navami in Ayodhya, many temples dedicated to Lord Rama offer special pujas and rituals that’s performed by the priests on behalf of the devotees. Of course, all the celebrations will pale in comparison to the one at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. Here, the idol of Ram Lalla will be bestowed with a ‘Surya Tilak’ formed by a network of lenses used to concentrate the sun rays on his forehead every Ram Navami.
Reading The Ramayana
A lot of the devotees gather around to hear the reciting of the Ramayana, an Indian epic. In Ramayana, the story revolves around the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, the demon who had abducted his wife, Sita. If listening to the epic is something you don’t prefer, you can get yourself a copy and find a place to read. Do keep in mind that being an auspicious book, you’ll need to read and handle it with dignity.
Processions
The streets of Ayodhya come alive as followers of Lord Rama gather for a procession. Idols of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, his brother Lakshman, and his devotee Lord Hanuman are carried around as the devotees repeat religious chants with music playing in the background and people dancing.
Visiting Lord Rama’s Temples
Devotees pay their respects by visiting different temples dedicated to Lord Rama in Ayodhya. You can start with the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, a temple that’s believed to be the grounds where Lord Rama was born. You can then head to Ramkot, another significant temple that’s believed to be Lord Rama’s fort. It’s also said that Lord Hanuman used to guard the fort from a secret cave.
If you want to see the idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita decorated in gold ornaments, head to Kanak Bhavan Temple. All these temples are packed with devotees seeking their blessings and participating in the celebrations of Ram Navami.
Kirtans and Bhajans
You’ll also find that large crowds gather to sing devotional songs of Lord Rama through kirtans and bhajans. The lyrics of these songs narrate the divine stories and are a great way of connecting with the Hindu scriptures.
Summing Up
Now that you have a glimpse of how Ayodhya lights up for the celebrations of Ram Navami, you should pay a visit. Standing amongst devotees showing their unwavering faith and the echoes of bhajans and chants is a spiritual experience you want to witness at least once in your life.
FAQs
How Ram Navami Is Celebrated In Ayodhya?
Ram Navami is celebrated with several special pujas, events, processions, and reciting of Ramayana in Ayodhya. The festival is celebrated with grandeur both by the locals and the devotees.
What Are The Famous Festivals Of Ayodhya?
In Ayodhya, Shravan Jhoola Mela, Parikrama Mela, Rathyatra, and Saryu Snan are some of the famous festivals.
What Is Ram Navami Celebrated For?
Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It’s celebrated on the 9th day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar.
