KATHMANDU, April 17: Ram Nawami festival is being observed across the country by paying homage to Lord Ram. The festival marks the birthday of Maryada Purushottam Shree Ram.
Also known as Ram Jayanti, Ram Nawami is considered the day when the light of truth and dignity prevails over untruth and darkness.
Ram Nawami festival is celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Nawami (the ninth day of the bright half in the month of Chaitra as per the lunar calendar).
Ram Nawami being observed today
It is celebrated to commemorate the victory of truth over evil and to the memory of Lord Ram. The festival celebrates the descent of Vishnu as the Ram avatar, through his birth to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya during the Treta Yuga.
The day is marked by Ram Katha recitals or reading of Ram stories, including the epic Ramayana which narrates the tale of Ram. Hindus visit a temple while others pray within their homes, paying homage to Ram.
Devotees thronging the temples and shrines dedicated to the Hindu god Ram throughout the country since the morning today on the occasion.
A large number of devotees have thronged several Shree Ram Temples in Kathmandu valley, including Battisputali to pay homage to Lord Ram.
Devotees have also thronged the Ramjanaki temple in Janakpurdham to offer prayers. Today, a fair is also held on the premises of Janaki Temple. Thousands of devotees from India are also participating in the fair and take holy baths in the Gangasagar and offer prayers at the Ram Janaki Temple. There is also a tradition of staying awake at night with recitals of hymns dedicated to Shree Ram.
Ram's reign in Ayodhya is remembered even today as exemplary statecraft. Ram is worshiped as an ideal man devoted to his father and mother, respecting elders and loving the younger. It is said that Lord Vishnu took birth in the form of Ram in the world to protect the righteous by ending the evil in the universe.
The kingdom of Lord Ram, known as Ram Rajya, is considered a model for justice.
