Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, devotees will observe Ram Navami with fervor, marking the culmination of Chaitra Navratri. It commemorates the birth of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, making it a highly auspicious day.
According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Lord Rama was born in the Cancer sign at noon, emphasizing the significance of celebrating his birth during an auspicious Muhurat. This year’s Ram Navami coincides with the Gajakesari Yoga, enhancing its auspiciousness.
The Panchang predicts a special Muhurat for Ram Navami, featuring an Abhijit Muhurat between 11:40 AM and 1:40 PM. This timeframe is ideal for observing Ram Janmotsav and conducting Rama Aarti.
Essential items for Ram Navami puja include a picture of Ram Darbar, sandalwood, akshat, camphor, roli, mauli, garland, sindoor, and flowers. For Abhishek, gather materials such as milk, Gangajal, and a brass or silver idol of Lord Rama.
Devotees can offer sweets, lamps, yellow clothes, incense, Sundarkand or Ramayana book, cardamom, Panchamrit, five fruits, abeer/gulal, betel leaves, cloves, saffron, turmeric, and Tulsi leaves during the puja. Perfume can also be used as an offering.
For hawan ceremonies, gather materials such as a hawan kund, cow ghee, sugar, rice, mango wood, navagraha wood, cardamom, sesame seeds, peepal twigs, sandalwood sticks, bel leaves, neem, ashwagandha, and coconut.
The puja vidhi involves offering Arghya to the Sun God, decorating the home temple, installing a Kalash, and performing prayers to Lord Ganesha and Lord Ram Lalla. Abhishek is done with milk and curd, followed by dressing Lord Ram in new clothes.
Devotees chant the Ram-Ram mantra 108 times on a rosary after applying tilak to Lord Ram. The puja concludes with the performance of Aarti, a devotional song dedicated to Lord Rama.
Following these prescribed steps ensures a successful and auspicious observance of Ram Navami, allowing devotees to seek blessings and celebrate the birth of Lord Rama with reverence.