Ram Navami 2023 - March 30 (Thursday)

Ramnavami occurs in the month of March. In northern India especially, an event that draws popular participation is the Ramnavami procession. The main attraction in this procession is a gaily-decorated chariot in which four persons are dressed up as Rama, his brother Laxman, his queen Sita and his disciple Hanuman. Several other persons dressed up in ancient costumes as work by Rama s solders accompany the chariot. The procession is a gusty affair with the participants shouting praises echoing the happy days of Rama s reign. People gather in thousands on the banks of the sacred river Sarayu for a dip. Some observe a strict fast on this day.

Ayodhya is the focus of great celebrations. Devotees throng the temples of Ayodhya and Pondicherry. These are the places that are closely connected to the events of the Ramayana.

The Significance of Ram Navami

Significantly, the ancient Egyptians termed the sun as Amon Ra or simply as "Ra". In Latin, the syllable Ra is used to connote light. For example, we have Radiance which emission of light, or Radium, which means any substance emitting light or brilliance. The common element is the syllable Ra that in many languages is used to derive words for describing Sun or light.

The occurrence of this syllable in most names used for Rama along with other clues is strongly suggestive that the festival Ramnavami antedates the R- ayana and it must have originated much before the Ramayana, as a Sun-festival for invoking the Sun who was recognized as the source of light and heat even in ancient times. The importance of the Sun was much more in the higher latitudes from where the Aryans are supposed to have migrated into India. Many royal dynasties portrayed symbols of virility like the Sun, Eagle, Lion etc. as their progenitor. Rama s dynasty considered them to have descended from the Sun. This could have led to the tagging on, of Rama s birthday to a festival devoted to the sun.

The Sun was recognised as the source of light and heat even in ancient times. The importance of the Sun was much more in the higher latitudes from where the Aryans are supposed to have migrated into India. Many royal dynasties portrayed symbols of virility like the Sun, Eagle, and Lion etc. as their progenitor. Rama s dynasty considered them to have descended from the Sun. This could have led to the tagging on, of Rama s birthday to a festival devoted to the sun.

There is some link between Lord Rama and Sun Worship. The Sun is considered to be the progenitor of Rama s dynasty, which is called the Sun dynasty (Raghukula or Raghuvamsa, Raghu means Sun and Kula or Vansa mean familial descendant). Rama is also known as Raghunatha, Raghupati, and Raghavendra etc. That all these names begin with the prefix Raghu is also suggestive of some link with Sun worship. The hour chosen for the observance of the lord s birth is that when the sun is overhead and is at its maximum brilliance.

इस आर्टिकल को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें

Also Read: Ramnavami Puja

Ram Navami Video

 

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