Gowri+M.+Iyengar

The Significance of Ramnavami By     Gowri Mukunda Vatsala Iyengar

Ramnamavi is dedicated to the memory of Lord Ram’s appearance on this earth planet to defeat Ravana. It is also lesser known to celebrate the significance of the sun. Ram’s dynasty was called the Sun dynasty (Raghu means sun, Raghu Kula means Sun Descendant). The hour that lord Ram appeared on this earth planet was the hour in which the sun was emitting the most radiance at its highest point in the sky. Many languages or cultures use the common Latin syllable “Ra” to describe the Sun or any other form of light, an example being the Egyptian sun God called Amon Ra or simply Ra. Ramnavami falls on the 9th day of the month of Chaitra, which in the American calendar is March-April. Ramnavami is more important to the Vaishnava sect of Hindus. Many people take a strict fast for nine days. Temples are decorated in honor of Lord Ram and Sita. In Ayodhya, a fair is held and in the south, the “Sri Ramnavami Utsavam” is celebrated for nine days. Ramnavami is also widely celebrated by devotees of Shiva. Devotees Meditate, chant manthras, and perform elaborate poojas on this day every year. During Ramnavami, each house is cleaned and offerings of fruit and flowers are given to Ram and Sita at the shrine. The youngest female in the house leads the puja, first applying teeka to all the male members of the family and bindis to all female members of the family. People who choose to fast take a diet including potatoes made with turmeric, garlic, ginger or onion. They can also eat fruit, root vegetables, curd, tea, coffee, milk, and water. Two plates are kept near the puja are filled with roli, aipun, rice, flowers, a bell, and a conch.