Also known as Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami, Ram Navami is an important Hindu religious festival. Celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama, this festival is quite significant for Hindus. According to the legend, Rama, born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya of Ayodhya after a Puthra Kamesti Yagna, was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. South Indians celebrate this festival as a nine-day long festival. Kalyanotsavam (Marriage Festival) marks the end of the nine-day celebration in which small idols of Rama and Sita are made and carried on the streets in various processions.
This festival is celebrated as Chitra Navaratri in Maharashtra while, in other South Indian States like Karnataka, Andhra and Tamil Nadu, it is celebrated as Vasanthothsava (the Festival of Spring). The celebrations include ceremonial wedding of the idols of Rama and Sita, followed by a huge wedding-like procession in the streets. Though there are slight regional deviations in the associated rituals, Rama Navami is celebrated with great reverence by Hindus all over the world. And just in case you are far from home then you can always order, buy and send cheap online gifts to India using our very friendly portal.
