Shri Rama Navami | Significance, Puja Vidhi, Neivedhyam Recipes

Ram Navami is a Hindu festival, celebrating the birth of Lord Rama, son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya of Ayodhya, and 7th avtar of Lord Vishnu. The day is called Rama Navami as it falls on Navami. The birth of Rama on earth is to vanquish the roots of Adharma. Lord Rama came to the earth to perform a special responsibility means to destroy the demon Ravana in order to maintain the Dharma. Our Ancient Scriptures have always emphasis on how Lord descends in his various Incarnations to destroy evil-minded and to save his devotees.

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Significance of Rama Navami:

Rama ('ra' means Light. 'ma' means within), Divine light within you is Rama. Among all the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Rama Avtar is considered to be the most important as we can learn very important life lessons from Shri Rama's Life. From the life and activities of Rama, we can learn how to be obedient, faithful, loyal, humble and embrace everyone. Celebrating the festival of Ram Navami on the 9th day of Chaitra month indicates the removal of bad powers and entrance of divine power on the earth. This festival celebration indicates the victory of goodness and defeat of evil power and establishment of the Dharma after removal of Adharma.

Another Story: Generally hindus will consider Ashtami and Navami day of each month as unaspicious and will not perform any good events on those days. So Ashtami and Navami went to Lord Vishnu and expressed their unhappiness. To make them happy and to make Dharma rule over Adharma Lord Vishu born as Rama on a Navami Day. The same way Lord vishnu born as Krishna on an Ashtami day which is what we celebrate as Krishashtami(Krishna Jayanthi).

Rama Navami Puja Vidhi:

Most of the people prefer to observe a whole day fast on this day. Generally devotees prefers to be on a satvik food and consume potatoes made in any form without haldi (turmeric), garlic or onion. We can also eat fruit and root vegetables of any kind. Curd, tea, coffee, milk, and water are also permitted. There is no very specific ritual to perform pooja. People visit temples and listen to stories of Ram janam (Rama’s birth) and various other legends from Ramayana. Devotees also sing bhajans praising the deeds of Lord Rama.

My mom have taught me to read the last chapter of Sundara Kandam and the Pattabishekam chapter of Ramayana. There are lots of bajans, slokas we can chant the whole day. Out of all Bajans and Slokas, simple and plain "Rama" Nama is so powerful. Chanting Rama Nama, Writing his name, thinking of his glory, hearing his stories are the Puja we offer to Lord Rama.

Offerings we prepare on Rama Navami:

Its given in our literatures that Sri Rama and Lakshmana used to drink Neer Mor (Spiced Buttermilk) and Panagam for quenching their thirst when they lived in forest with Sage Vishwamitra. Thats the reason, we make Neer Mor, Panagam and offer to Lord Shri Rama on this auspicious day. Some of us also have a tradition to make Kosumalli and Paal Payasam on this day.