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The festival of Ram Navami is celebrated across India with lots of fervor and reverence in observance of the auspicious occasion of Prabhu Shriram’s birthday. Prabhu Shriram is one of the most worshiped deities among all Hindu gods and Navami signifies his birth on the ninth day of the Chaitra month known as the Chaitra Navratri. The Chaitra month is the first month in the Hindu lunar calendar and hence marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year which falls during the spring season.
Prabhu Shriram was born on the Navami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Treta Yug as the eldest son of Dashrath, the king of Ayodhya, and Kaushalya, one of Dashrath’s three wives. Lord Ram grew up to become the great ‘Maryada Purushottam Ram’ owing to his humility, loyalty, sacrifice, dedication towards his family and people, deep respect for elders, immense love for those younger than him, and upholding the highest ethical standards throughout his life. Believed to be the seventh reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, Shriram was born to slay the evil force in the guise of Ravana, restore peace and reinforce the victory of good over evil. These are the reasons why Ram Navami holds such a special place in the Hindu religion and culture.
The festival is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm across the length and breadth of the country, especially Ayodhya, the birthplace of lord Shri Ram. The festival coincides with nine days of fasting during Navratri and the performing of special religious rituals by the devotees in temples across India. Each of the nine days is devoted to the nine avatars (incarnations) of Goddess Durga finally culminating in Ram Navami. This year i.e. 2023, the Chaitra Navratri began on 22nd March and ends on 30th March. Devotees start the pious day of Ram Navami by offering prayers to the sun God as Prabhu Shriram is believed to be the descendant of the sun. Religious ceremonies and rituals begin early in the day that last till late evening on Ram Navami including the organizing of Bhajan, Kirtan, Havan, Puja, and Bhandara, etc. by the devotees.
Every temple in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Shri Ram, is thronged with large crowds of devotees to receive the lord’s blessings. Devotees fast the whole day on Ram Navami and are involved in religious ceremonies such as singing devotional songs, reciting vedic mantras, organizing religious processions et al. The highlight of the day is the grand chariot procession on the streets of Ayodhya which is an event worth witnessing. Aesthetically embellished idols or images of Lord Shri Ram, Mata Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman are placed in the beautifully adorned chariot. The devotees of Lord Shri Ram also take a holy dip in the sacred river Saryu in Ayodhya, an important part of their traditional ritual.
No Indian home remains untouched by the glory and festive spirit of Ram Navami. Devotees of Shri Ram in every single household offer their soulful prayers by bathing and adorning the idol of Shri Ram with beautiful clothes and ornaments. The idol is placed in a cradle and devotees gently rock the cradle as a gesture of their immense love and affection for the newly born Lord Shri Ram. Kheer, a traditional Indian sweet dish is prepared in every home and served to the devotees on this auspicious occasion.
Celebrating the grandeur & legacy of Lord Shriram and taking inspiration from his teachings, Prabhu Shriram, India’s best Agarbatti and Dhoop has created endearing fragrances to make the special occasion of Ram Navami even more special with their exclusive incense collections. Prabhu Shriram’s most popular fragrance collections include the “Shripad Ramayan Series” Divine Box is based on the ten most significant events from Shri Ram’s life; the Temple series gives the experience of the divine aura of the Incredible temples of India at the comfort of your home; and the Shraddha Shakti series spreads the gives ultimate power to your prayers, this Ram Navami.
