Ramnavami

Ramanavami falls on the ninth day in the Shukal Paksha of Chaitra month and is clebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Rama. On this day, people perform SEETHA KALYAN or VIVAH (marriage celebrations) at the Temple and in their houses. There is strong belief within the various communities that the performane of kalayana (marraige celebrations) will bring in properity and peace within the families. There is a custom of visiting temples and paying homage to Shree Ramachandrajee. There is another custom of organising the Kanjak. The nine Kanyas( females) are given the Prasad and Dakshina after the Bhog ceremony. The nine kanyas represent the nine Devis or Goddesses and their blessings are taken.

Lord Rama or Shree Ramachandra was the son of Dasaratha and Kausalya and is also known as Raghupati. At a very young age, Lord Rama, along with his younger brother Lakshmana, protected the yagna ceremony of Viswamaitra from the demons or the evil forces which were not letting the Yagna ceremonies to get completed. Those demons were killed by the duo and for this demonstration of fighting for the truth, they were rewarded by sage Kausika the "Shastras" also called weapons to fight the evil powers. Rama and Lakshmana then accompanied Viswamitra to the city of Mithila, the capital of King Janaka , where he married his daughter Sita after performing the superhuman feat of bending Siva's bow (Shiva Dhanus). Lakshmana was married to the other daughter Urmila. Sri Rama and Lakshmana then returned to Ayodhya.

On Rama's return to Ayodhya, Dasaratha resolved to install him as Yuvaraja (heir-apparent). But, on the eve of coronation, his favorite wife Kaikeyi, instigated by her wicked nurse Manthara, asked Dasaratha to fulfil the two boons he had granted her earlier. By one boon, she demanded the banishment of Rama for fourteen years into the jungle Dandakaranya, and, by the other, the installation of her own son Bharatha as Yuvaraja. Dasaratha was stunned by these demands and tried his best in an unsuccessful attempt to dissuade her from her wicked demands. But, he was obliged to yield at last. The dutiful son Rama immediately prepared to go into exile accompanied by his beautiful young wife Sita. His devoted brother Lakshmana insisted on accompanying him.

Then followed the Conflict with Ravana during the exile of Lord Rama. Ravana was killed by lord Rama in that battle. Rama, accompanied by Sita and his friends in battle, returned triumphantly to Ayodhya where he was installed as king by the sage Vasishtha- He reigned long and righteously. His rule is known as Ram Rajya. He was succeeded by his son Kusa. Ram is said to be the seventh Avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu.