Ram Navami festival being celebrated across the country today

Kathmandu: Today marks Chaitra Shukla Navami, celebrated by Hindus as the Ram Navami festival.

Devotees observe this day by worshipping Lord Shri Ram, who was born in Ayodhya during the Treta Yuga as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Revered as the Maryada Purushottam, Shri Ramchandra was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya Devi of Ayodhya on this auspicious day.

It is believed that Lord Ram was born under the Punarvasu Nakshatra, with a Cancer Lagna in the horoscope, along with Jupiter and the Moon. His birth chart featured a rare alignment of five planets—Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn—coming together. Born during the ninth day of the spring Navratri, one of the four Navratris of the year, Lord Ram established 'Ram Rajya' by eradicating demonic tendencies.

Theologian and Chairman of the Nepal Panchanga Nirikh Vikas Samiti, Prof. Dr. Ramchandra Gautam, highlighted that the essence of celebrating Ram Navami lies in striving for a dignified, disciplined, and controlled state like that of Ram’s governance.

Citing the Gagaryatantra Krishna Vachan, it is mentioned that by worshipping the eight goddesses on Chaitra Ashtami and Lord Ram on Navami, and through chanting, recitation, and meditation, one's heartfelt wishes are fulfilled. On this occasion, Ramlila performances are held in Janakpur, Nepal, and Ayodhya, India. It is believed that worshipping the goddess on Ram Navami brings prosperity, or 'Shri'. Religious texts like 'Vratark' state that fasting, worshipping Shri Ram, and engaging in devotional practices on this day leads to the fulfillment of desires and residence in Vaikuntha in the next life.

Lord Shri Ram, after marrying Sita, the daughter of King Janak of Mithila, eliminated evil forces from the world and guided humanity on the path of truth and righteousness by faithfully adhering to his father’s commands. The festival of Ram Navami is celebrated in his honor.