Sri Rama Navami | Appearance Day of Lord Rama
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna incarnated Himself as Sri Rama in the month of Chaitra (Mar-Apr), on the ninth day of the growing moon (Chaitra Masa Shukla Paksha Navami Tithi).
The Supreme Lord appeared as the son of Dasharatha, the king of Ayodhya. Dasharatha was a king in the dynasty of Maharaja Ikshvaku (also known as Raghu vamsha). He had three wives: Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, but had no children. On the advice of Maharishi Vashishtha, the king performed Putra Kameshti Yajna and as a result the three wives conceived sons. Kaushalya gave birth to Rama and Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata. Sumitra gave birth to the twins: Lakshmana and Shatrugna.
The life and activities of Rama are explained in detail by the great sage Valmiki in the book Ramayana. A summarized version of the Ramayana as narrated by Shukadeva Goswami to Parikshit Maharaja is included in the ninth canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana). Excerpts from the same can be downloaded here.
Sri Rama Navami is one of the important festivals celebrated at ISKCON Ipoh devotees fast throughout the day and remember Sri Rama, by chanting His holy names or hearing from the Ramayana. They break the fast at sunset.
The Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama is decorated as Rama and Lakshmana. This special alankara happens only once in a year. Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, the cowherd boys of Vrindavana, accept royal robes and appear as the princes of Ayodhya holding bows and arrows in their hands.
In the evening the utsava vigrahas of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra are decorated as Sita Rama and taken in a procession around the temple. Devotees sing the glories of Lord Rama and chant His names.
After the procession, devotees perform Rama Taraka Homa by chanting the Sri Rama Ashtottara Shata Nama
After the homa, a special shayana arati is performed. Devotees sing Nama Ramayana – a song which narrates the entire Ramayana. The shayana arati is followed by a pallaki utsava.
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