Lord Rama was born on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. Each year this day is celebrated as birthday of Lord Rama. Lord Rama was born during Madhyahna period which is middle of Hindu day.
This day marks as the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Ram. Ram Navami is observed on Navami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra. This day is considered as most auspicious day
A large number of devotees thronged temples across Odisha to have a darshan of Lord Rama on the occasion of Ram Navami on Thursday. Sri Ram temple in Bhubaneswar also witnessed huge rush of devotees on the occasion.
Special rituals will be performed at Srimandir in Puri during the occasion of holy Ram Navami today. The pilgrim town is all set to celebrate Sahi Jata, a unique tradition linked to Jagannath culture. All preparations for the Sahi Jata have been put in place and the artistes are fully ready with rehearsals at ‘Akhadas’.
Several other places including Bhadrak, Balasore and Rourkela also wore festive looks as pandals have been erected at different places on the occasion.
In Badrak, the district administration has made adequate security arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful celebration of Ram Navami in the communally sensitive town. Police personenl in strength have been deployed to maintain law and order. ‘Agyana Malas’ have been brought from Akhandalamani temple, Maa Bhadrakali temple and Maa Biraja temple in Jajpur to Gandhipadia in Bhadrak where a religious ‘Jagyan’ will be performed today. Preparations are in the final stage for the famous ‘Nagara Sankirtana’ to be taken in Bhadrak at 3 pm today.
Meanwhile, the district administrations in different places of the state have made elaborate security arrangements to maintain law and order during the huge processions. In Bhadrak, seven drone cameras have been deployed to keep a vigil and prevent any untoward incident during the procession.
At the same time, more than 76 CCTV cameras have been installed at various places to keep a tab on the processions.
Paying his obeisance to Lord Ram, eminent sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a splendid sand art at Puri sea beach on the holy occasion of Ram Navami.
History and Significance
Lord Ram was the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He established a welfare state for his people and set an example for everyone to follow. He was devoid of greed, hatred and vices, and stood for what was right, against powerful adversaries, and protected the weak. That is the reason “Ram Rajya” is used as a metaphor even today. On this day, devotees hold a fast and take a holy dip in the river. They then visit temples to pray to him.
Celebrations
Devotees pray for peace, wealth, and success on this day, and seek Lord Ram’s blessings. On this day, many people also perform Kanya Puja, in which nine girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped.
Some devotees also bathe and dress up small Lord Ram idols, light a lamp in front, and then place them in a cradle to commemorate his birth while kheer is prepared as an offering to God.
