Sri Ramanavami

          Sri Ramanavami commemorates the birth of Sri Rama. This auspicious day is celebrated on Chaitra Sukla Navami (ninth day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra, which usually comes in April). Sri Rama is worshipped throughout India, and his birthday is celebrated in every region. The Ramayana of Valmiki is an epic of 24,000 verses that describes Sri Rama’s acts in this world. It brings out Sri Rama's unique personality and his commitment to all forms of dharma (duties/morals). Devotion to dharma came first in Rama's life and considerations of his personal joys and sorrows came last. The other aspect of the Ramayana that every Hindu remembers is Sri Rama’s commitment to kingly duties: Rajadharma.

Rama’s adherence to the moral duties of a king created a prosperous and righteous reign known as Ramarajya, a golden time of peace and prosperity. Sri Rama is a role model that every Hindu should follow. Sri Rama upheld the supremacy of dharma in every one of his human relationships, and hence became an ideal son, brother, husband, disciple, friend, king, and even an ideal foe. The story of Sri Rama is not that of a single towering personality dwarfing all others. The other characters like Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata and Hanuman shine in their own greatness. All of them are so closely interwoven with Sri Rama's life and achievements that it is almost impossible to think of any one without the other. In fact, the most popular picture of Sri Rama (Sri Rama Pattabhisheka) includes Sita, Hanuman and all his brothers. Therefore, Sri Ramanavami is celebrated with great pomp and show in a variety of ways in all parts of India.

          Sri Ramanavami is celebrated in our Temple over a nine-day period. Abhishekam is performed every day for the utsava murti of Sri Rama and Sita. On the concluding day, there is Sita Rama Kalyanam, a very auspicious wedding ceremony of Sri Rama and Sita. It is believed that Sita Rama Kalyanam bestows peace and prosperity to all the devotees. Following the Sita Rama Kalyanam, the priests perform Sri Rama Pattabhishekam, the crowning of Rama as an emperor. Sri Rama and Sita are taken on a procession on the Hanuman vahana around the Temple premises. The program concludes with the chanting of Mantra Pushpam, followed by Archana, Sathumurai, and Asirvadam (blessings) from the priests. Afterwards, a delicious lunch is served to all the devotees who participated in this event.