SREE RAMA NAVAMI CELEBRATIONS / VASANT NAVARATRIS

It’s a tradition to celebrate Ramanavami festival for 9 days in the name of ”SreeRama Navaratri Utsavam” which coincides with Vasanta Navaratris of Mother Goddess Durga.  At all Shakti peetas, Vasantha Navaratris are observed on a grand scale… A nine day festival is celebrated with  Jagrans and bhajans at Vaishnodevi Shrine in Katra, where Vaishnomaa is incarnated in the form of three pindis of goddesses (Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswati). Devotees sing Glories of MAA and observe whole night jagrans during these navaratris. A movie link is added under movies/documentary section about the incarnation and leelas of MAA VAISHNODEVI (Must watch).

Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna one day went to Sita and made a complaint and said that Hanuman was with Rama all the twenty-four hours, and that he is not giving them any opportunity for doing service to Rama. They requested her to arrange that whatever services have to be done to Rama, be distributed equitably amongst them. Then they made a long list of services to be rendered to Rama from the morning till the next morning. They also prayed to Sita that all these services be approved by Rama. Rama looked at the list and approved all the services and suggested that they be distributed amongst themselves. He suggested that they go and tell Hanuman that nothing is left so far as Hanuman is concerned. When these brothers met Hanuman, they told him that the entire list of services has been drawn up and that they were distributed amongst themselves. They said that no service was left for him and that he would have nothing to do from the next day.

Hanuman thought for a little and thought of the name of Lord Rama and then he asked Lakshmana that if any other service was left over, it may be allotted to him. The three brothers looked at the list very carefully and came to the conclusion that nothing was left. They agreed that if anything is left, Hanuman may take the service. Hanuman said, there was one service, which was left over and he requested that this be given to him. When kings or elders or wealthy people yawn, at that time it was customary to make a noise with the fingers in front of the mouth. Hanuman asked that this service be allotted to him. From that time, Hanuman insisted that wherever Rama went, whether it is in his bedroom or in the bathroom, Hanuman must be present. Thus he insisted, because one does not know when Rama would yawn. When Rama yawned, he should be present there. Thus, it so turned out that the little service which was left to Hanuman necessitated his continuous presence and made Hanuman stay close to Rama always.

What we should see here is that inspite of all the attempts made by Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna not to leave any service for Hanuman, it is the sacredness of Hanuman that has resulted in his getting a service by which he could be with Rama at all times. No one can separate a real devotee presence from his Lord.

HANUMAN JAYANTHI is celebrated after Ramanavami Utsava i.e., on March 29th,2010. Devotees chant Hanuman Chalisa, Offer Special prayers with Betel leaves, decorate Hanumanji with Vada/Appam Mala. Some devotees also sponsor for Butter alankaram.

Nammakkal Anjaneyar Temple  part1  part2
(Abishekam followed by Golden Kavacha alangaram)

JAI BAJRANGBALI (A nice movie on Lord Rama & Hanumanji) – A must see movie. Please check rest of the movie links on youtube to watch complete movie).

Ramanavami is the most celebrated festivals at Shirdi Sainath Sansthan.

Gopalrao Gund, a staunch devotee of Baba remained childless for many years. With baba’s blessings he was blessed with a Son. In expression of his gratitude towards Baba, he proposed to celerbate an Urus Utsava. Baba gave his permission for celebration by fixing the event on auspicious Ramanavami. Baba  particularly selected Ramanavami day in order to bring harmony and brotherly relationship among all the communities. Baba never encouraged nor supported communal fights. He always uttered these beautiful words “SABKA MALIK EK HAIN”.

Read Chaper 6 – Ramanavami celebration chapter from Sai Satcharitra 

Baba devotees read complete Sai Satcharitra (Holy book on incarnation/leelas of Sainath) on this auspicious day. Group recitals/Bhajans, Annadanam (Providing Food to the hungry/needy persons) are also organized on a grand scale.

A glance on Ramanavami Celebrations at Shirdi  part1  part2

Live darshan of Saibaba of Shirdi

PS: Visit archives to know the Signficance of Rama Nama Jaap and also Dashavatara section for more stotras on Lord Rama and Hanuma.