Ramanavami
Ramanavami is celebrated every year to commemorate the birth of Lord Rama. Vishnu took Ramavatara to kill demon Ravana and bring back peace. Rama is the 7th Avatara of Lord Vishnu. Rama is considered to be ‘Purushottama’ that is perfect man. Ramayan, the story of Rama is a moral lesson for those who want to live a peaceful life. Vishnu in this avatara is a perfect son, perfect brother, perfect husband and a perfect king.
This festival of Ramanavami is celebrated in all its grandeur. Devotees throng temples, perform special poojas, visit holy places. It is celebrated more like a social festival than festival limited to individual houses. The entire day is dedicated to poojas, rama japa, rama kirtana and discourses about Rama.
Ramanavami Specials
While this is the religious aspect of the festival, there is a humanitarian touch given to this festival, that is serving cold ‘Panaka’ ‘Kosambari’ and ‘Majjige’ to people. One can see people serving cold lemon juice and cold butter milk to whoever passes by. There is no discrimination and every person takes these drinks to drench there thirst which is considered as ‘Prasad’. All temples serve this for free and one can also see individuals sponsoring food and cold drinks. This gesture is very significant because the festival falls in the summer month when the sun is at the peak. People will be struggling to fight the heat and going out is a herculean task. For those who have to go out of house, these cool drinks provide respite and help them counter the heat. This serving of cold drinks is not one day affair, people extend it to nine days of ‘Chaitra Navaratri’ some even go to the extent of keeping the good deed going on for one month. This humanitarian touch makes this festival a special one. Our tradition is rich and is always oriented towards betterment of human lives. Lets nurture it and keep it alive.
Jai Raam Ji!
