What is Ram Navami?

India is home to many gods and goddesses, most of whom belong to the Hindu religion. Throughout the year, Hindus celebrate various religious festivals, and many of these are the birthdays of a god or goddess. In India, such days often carry the prefix, ‘Jayanthi’ meaning ‘advent’ or ‘birth’. The festival of Rama Navami celebrates the birthday of Lord Rama, one of the 10 major incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Rama is called Maryada Purushottam Ram, as he is supposedly the ideal man or the embodiment of perfection in a man.

Ram Navami also marks the culmination of the Chaitra-Navratri celebrations held over 9 days. This is one of the 4 Navratris that are celebrated in a year. Ram Navami is one of the 5 major holy festivals in Hinduism and also one of the oldest as it goes back to the pre-Christian era.

Many devotees observe a vrat or fast on this occasion. It is said that those who observe a fast on Ram Navami can obtain the blessings of infinite happiness, good fortune, and salvation.

History of Ram Navami

The Kalika Purana refers to Ram Navami. This was one of the few festivals that lower castes could celebrate in ancient times when the caste system was widely prevalent in India.
Chaitra denotes the season of spring in India and is also the name of a month in the Hindu calendar which corresponds to March-April in the Gregorian calendar. Ram Navami is on the 9th day of ‘Shukla Paksha’ (waxing moon phase).

Birth of Rama

Long ago, around 5114 BC, the kingdom of Ayodhya in what is now the state of Uttar Pradesh, was ruled by King Dasharatha. He had three wives, Sumitra, Kaikeyi, and Kausalya. But he had no heirs, and this caused him much worry and sadness. Without a proper heir to succeed him, his kingdom would fall into ruin, or worse, be conquered by his enemies.

Seeing his distress, Sage Vasistha told him to perform Puthra Kameshti Yagna, a sacred ritual to invoke divine blessings for progeny. Dasharatha agreed, and Maharshi Rishya Shringa was roped in to perform the ritual. After the yagna, he gave the king a bowl of kheer/payasam (a dish made with milk and rice) and asked him to distribute it between his three wives. Kausalya, the elder wife, got one-half of the payasam, and his younger wife, wife Kausalya, got another half. Both of them gave half of their portions to Sumithra. As a result of this unequal distribution, Kausalya and Kaikeyi eventually gave birth to one son each while Sumithra delivered twin sons.

The kingdom of Ayodhya erupted in ecstatic celebrations, on hearing that Ayodhya finally had an heir. But they had no idea that the heir was none other than Lord Vishnu himself, born as Rama to Queen Kausalya. Ramayana, a great Hindu epic, authored by the poet-sage, Valmiki, chronicles the story and exploits of Rama, who was Vishnu’s seventh incarnation. Rama came to earth to restore Dharma, destroy evil and protect the righteous.

Rama’s Mission

It was Rama’s destiny to slay Ravana, the demon-king of Lanka, who had abducted his wife, Sita, and imprisoned her in Lanka. Rama marshaled an army of bears and monkeys with the help of Sugriva and Hanuman and went to Lanka to wage war against Ravana. He returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana and rescuing Sita. By performing many astonishing feats, Rama proved his divine origins to the world. When Rama returned from his exile and became a king, the denizens of Ayodhya began to celebrate his birthday out of devotion to their godly sovereign.

Significance of Rama

Rama is the embodiment of the ideal man. He had all the virtues that a good man ought to have. He was a devoted son, affectionate brother, loving husband, loyal friend, and a noble ruler. Hence he is called Maryada Purushottam. It is a tradition among Hindus to narrate the story of Rama to children so that they imbibe his virtues and aspire to be like him.