About Sri Rama Navami and Lord Rama:
Sri Rama, Lakshman , Sita and Hanuman
Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his human incarnation as Rama,
the divine ruler of Ayodhya, on his birth anniversary known as
Ramnavami. Thousands of pilgrims converge in the temples of
Ayodhya and Pondicherry , two places closely connected with the
events of the Ramayana (the epic describing the story of Rama),
to participate in Ramnavami festivities. Colourful processions are
held, which comprise brilliant floats of Rama, his wife Sita,
Rama's loyal brother Lakshmana and Hanuman, Rama's
monkey-general.
Ramnavami celebrated in the month of April (Chaitra), is when
Lord Vishnu took the seventh avtar(incarnation) as Lord Ram, was
born to destroy the demon King Ravana.
Rama reigns supreme to this day in the hearts of Indians, cutting
across all barriers of province, language, caste or sect. Even the
tribes living in isolated valleys and jungles have names like
Mitti-Ram and Patthar-Ram. In some other tribes, every name
carries the proud suffix of Ram, such as Lutthu Ram, Jagadev
Ram, etc. In many northern parts of India mutual greetings take
the form of Jay Ramjee Ki or Ram Ram. When a Hindu dies
he/she is bid farewell by chanting Rama Nam satya hai meaning
Rama is the truth. Rama is regarded as the epitome of all that is
great in a human being.
Sri Rama's story, Ramayana, has been sung in all the languages
and dialects of India . Ramayana (story of Rama) was originally
written by saint Valmiki in Sanskrit was later written by Tulsidas in
Hindi, by Kamban in Tamil, by Ramanujan in Malayalam, by
Krittivasa in Bengali and Madhav Kambali in Assamia and in fact,
in almost every Indian language.
The story of Rama is not that of a single towering personality
dwarfing all others. The other characters like Sita, Lakshmana,
Bharata and Hanuman too shine in their own greatness. All of
them are so closely interwoven with Sri Rama's life and
achievements that it is impossible to think of any one without the
other. In fact, the most popular picture of Sri Rama, i.e., of Sri
Rama Pattabhisheka includes Sita, Hanuman and all his brothers.
And in the bringing out of the greatness of all these partners of his
life-drama, Rama's instinctive recognition of their merit and virtues
played no mean part. He would always be the first to openly
appreciate the unique and noble traits in others' character. Even
for Kaikeyi, who was responsible for his banishment to forest,
Rama had only words of kindness. And as for Ravana, the
abductor of his wife, Rama's unstinted praise of his erudition and
prowess at once lifts the story of Ramayana to heights
unsurpassed in the annals of human history.
No wonder, the story of Sri Rama has crossed the boundaries of
India and inspired by many a distant people, their culture and
literature. Indonesia - with Muslims forming 80% of her population
- continues to adore Rama and Sita as her great cultural
standard-bearers, and Ramayana as her national epic par
excellence. Indonesia also prides herself in having the biggest
open air drama stage in the world in the Prambanan temple in Jog
Jakarta - with Ramayana as its chief attraction on a full moon
night. And the credit goes to that country for celebrating the very
first grand World Ramayana Festival some years ago.
On the day of Rama Navami temples are decorated and the
image of Lord Ram is richly adorned. Traditional worship begins
with chanting Vedic mantras dedicated to Vishnu, and offering
flowers and fruit to the god. Satsangs (public gatherings) are
organized to commemorate the birth of Lord Ram. Excerpts from
the "Ramacharitamanas", praising Lord Ram, are recited. People
participate in these gatherings to listen to the stories and their
explanations offered by the learned.
A good version of Ramayana in English is by C. Rajagopalachari. I
would strongly recommend this book to youngsters.
Sri Rama, Lakshman , Sita and Hanuman
Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his human incarnation as Rama,
the divine ruler of Ayodhya, on his birth anniversary known as
Ramnavami. Thousands of pilgrims converge in the temples of
Ayodhya and Pondicherry , two places closely connected with the
events of the Ramayana (the epic describing the story of Rama),
to participate in Ramnavami festivities. Colourful processions are
held, which comprise brilliant floats of Rama, his wife Sita,
Rama's loyal brother Lakshmana and Hanuman, Rama's
monkey-general.
Ramnavami celebrated in the month of April (Chaitra), is when
Lord Vishnu took the seventh avtar(incarnation) as Lord Ram, was
born to destroy the demon King Ravana.
Rama reigns supreme to this day in the hearts of Indians, cutting
across all barriers of province, language, caste or sect. Even the
tribes living in isolated valleys and jungles have names like
Mitti-Ram and Patthar-Ram. In some other tribes, every name
carries the proud suffix of Ram, such as Lutthu Ram, Jagadev
Ram, etc. In many northern parts of India mutual greetings take
the form of Jay Ramjee Ki or Ram Ram. When a Hindu dies
he/she is bid farewell by chanting Rama Nam satya hai meaning
Rama is the truth. Rama is regarded as the epitome of all that is
great in a human being.
Sri Rama's story, Ramayana, has been sung in all the languages
and dialects of India . Ramayana (story of Rama) was originally
written by saint Valmiki in Sanskrit was later written by Tulsidas in
Hindi, by Kamban in Tamil, by Ramanujan in Malayalam, by
Krittivasa in Bengali and Madhav Kambali in Assamia and in fact,
in almost every Indian language.
The story of Rama is not that of a single towering personality
dwarfing all others. The other characters like Sita, Lakshmana,
Bharata and Hanuman too shine in their own greatness. All of
them are so closely interwoven with Sri Rama's life and
achievements that it is impossible to think of any one without the
other. In fact, the most popular picture of Sri Rama, i.e., of Sri
Rama Pattabhisheka includes Sita, Hanuman and all his brothers.
And in the bringing out of the greatness of all these partners of his
life-drama, Rama's instinctive recognition of their merit and virtues
played no mean part. He would always be the first to openly
appreciate the unique and noble traits in others' character. Even
for Kaikeyi, who was responsible for his banishment to forest,
Rama had only words of kindness. And as for Ravana, the
abductor of his wife, Rama's unstinted praise of his erudition and
prowess at once lifts the story of Ramayana to heights
unsurpassed in the annals of human history.
No wonder, the story of Sri Rama has crossed the boundaries of
India and inspired by many a distant people, their culture and
literature. Indonesia - with Muslims forming 80% of her population
- continues to adore Rama and Sita as her great cultural
standard-bearers, and Ramayana as her national epic par
excellence. Indonesia also prides herself in having the biggest
open air drama stage in the world in the Prambanan temple in Jog
Jakarta - with Ramayana as its chief attraction on a full moon
night. And the credit goes to that country for celebrating the very
first grand World Ramayana Festival some years ago.
On the day of Rama Navami temples are decorated and the
image of Lord Ram is richly adorned. Traditional worship begins
with chanting Vedic mantras dedicated to Vishnu, and offering
flowers and fruit to the god. Satsangs (public gatherings) are
organized to commemorate the birth of Lord Ram. Excerpts from
the "Ramacharitamanas", praising Lord Ram, are recited. People
participate in these gatherings to listen to the stories and their
explanations offered by the learned.
A good version of Ramayana in English is by C. Rajagopalachari. I
would strongly recommend this book to youngsters.
