Sri Rama Navami

Ramanavami is celebrated on the ninth day in the bright half of Chaitra and represents the birth anniversary of Rama. The occasion is also used to perform SEETHA KALYAN or VIVAH at the Temple.This is an occasion for great rejoicing especially for the Vaishnavas who celebrate it with due solemnity allover the country. The ancient texts lays tress on fasting on this day, and it is believed that anyone who does not will go to the worst hell. It is also said that Rama fulfills the wishes of all those who pray to him on this day.According to recent astrological studies, his year of birth is consider to be January 10, 5114 B.C.

Ayodhya is the focus of great celebrations. A huge fair is organized for two days.People keep awake the whole of the ninth night, in anticipation of Rama's birth. They sing devotional songs in praise of him and rock his image in cradles to celebrate his birth.A special puja is performed the next morning as thanksgiving.

On this occasion, in temples Panakam and Spicy buttermilk are served as prasadam. Panakam, a sweet drink prepared on this day with jaggery and pepper.There is an element of fasting. Some people don't eat certain foods, particularly things like onions, garlic, some spices and wheat products.And in houses,people worship the lord rama by performing pooja's on that day and by offering panakam, buttermilk and kosambari as neivedyam to the god.



Panakam:
Dissolve 3 tbsp of jaggery in 2 glass of water and add a tsp of fresh grated ginger , cardamom powder, pinch of pepper powder and boil it for 2 minutes ,cool and strain.Finally add a tbsp of lime juice to it.

Spicy Buttermilk:
Beat 2 tbsp of yogurt with a glass of water in blender along with a tsp of grated ginger and a pinch of hing.Add few chopped coriander leaves, salt and tadka to it.

Kosambari:
Soak a cup of moong dal in water for about 40 minutes.Drain the dal and add peeled & chopped cucumber to it along with a pinch of salt,chopped coriander leaves,green chillies and tadka to it.