This time its Ram-Navami

Another week, another festival. They are coming fast and furious. hey, but who is complaining? Not only do I get to celebrate, I get to write about it too. It is another reason on to be joyful .This time, its Ram Navami.

And how did I know it is the festival today? Again, call it chance, or call it divine calling- this Sunday, I called up Mrs Murty, Mum’s dearest friend who had been with her for ever since i know . It somehow feels like being in touch with Mum- up until she left this earth for her next home in heaven , I recall, calling her every single morning. They say you should have an early morning ritual. Well, this was mine. We may have been miles apart physically, but emotionally we were so together, just a phone call away. And connecting, literally, every day. And after she left this world for another one too far to reach everyday, the vacuum remained. And then, off chance, last Sunday, having now into a new morning ritual, I just got into the old habit for a bit. By calling Mrs Murty, her dearest friend,. And lo and behold- what do I find? That Mrs Murty,  who usually doesn’t step out , has got ready and is leaving for the Association , where Ram Navami is being celebrated today. OMG, another divine intervention, for sure . The mind instantly travelled back in time to when Mum would call me every so often and remind me which festival was coming up. And that I needed to celebrate and pray, and very importantly pass this on to the next gen too. For it is our culture that makes us who we are, or we might as well be animals, just living an existential life..

And hence, the mind and the house had to get into the next gear, so quickly. Cleaning, cooking, decorating , all hands to the deck for it is another festival today. A small picture of Lord Ram is found quickly, as if by divine grace. And the altar readied for prayer with flowers, haldi, Kumkum, fruits, sweets and  small offerings to Lord Ram. For what can I offer to the Lord who has it all, but for small symbols of love , devotion and faith, with the hope that he will accept and bless us all with abundant love, peace and happiness? Akin to Sudama **offering Lord Krishna a small pouch of poha ( which is all he had to offer) and receiving a bounty of love and grace and abundance in return, for all the lord wants is devotion, and ultimately , its not the gift but the thought that counts, right?

And so, back to Ram Navami. We celebrated in our own small way, and asked for peace, bliss and happiness to reign in this world and in our lives. Akin to when Ramrajya ruled the land. That’s all we need, isn’t it? A reprieve from wars, peace and calm to be restored to this world, and what better occasion to ask for this, than Ram Navami, a day of divinity and grace ?

And a call to another friend to end the day.. springs up another welcome surprise. The society in Hyderabad has done a full Sita Kalyanam, the marriage of Ram and Sita, to mark the occasion. Well, Well, I am  not surprised , considering the Indian Love for weddings, but this one is of course most welcomed, being of a divine form.

Again, bringing people together in faith, no one does it better than the amblingindian, I would say- ahem!. And what better way to join faiths and stop wars than to unite in celebration ? Just two weeks back, I had the privilege of attending a Nawroz ( Parsi) new year In London, and learning about all the beautiful things it symbolises – the arrival of spring, the freshness of life, and more. And this week, I shall join Eid celebrations too at work , enjoy the sweets, and join in the joyful events yet again with a new set of people. Now, looking forward to Baisakhi too next week, and more on that later..lets join and unite in celebrating our diverse cultures, and blend the differences, bring people together as does nature in all its hues of colour, shape and form, the mountains blending seamlessly with the forests, valleys , rivers and ultimately the sea and the sky, all so different in form and function, yet co-existing so beautifully, adding so much joy to all our lives.

Festivals galore, keep them coming,for what are we humans without culture?

Regards,

Aina Rao

The amblingindian- Quirky reads on India

For my young readers, what is Ram Navami *

( From Source- Wikipedia)

This day honors the Birth of Lord Rama, the epitome of virtue..

Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Rama, one of the most popularly revered deities in Hinduism, also known as the seventh avatar of Vishnu. He is often held as an emblem within Hinduism for being an ideal king and human through his righteousness, good conduct and virtue.

The rituals and customs associated with Rama Navami vary from region to region throughout India. The day is marked by reciting from the Hindu epic Ramayana which narrates the tale of Rama. Some devotees offer worship to Rama like an infant by placing an image of him in a cradle. Charitable events and community meals are also organized. The festival is an occasion for moral reflection for many Hindus.

The rituals and customs associated with Rama Navami vary from region to region throughout India. Many of these traditions include reading and listening to discourses from the Ramayana, organizing ratha yatras (chariot processions), charitable events, hosting a wedding procession (kalyanotsavam) of Rama and Sita, Surya, the Hindu solar deity, is also worshipped among some communities.

Nepal celebrates Ram Navami with particular enthusiasm, especially at the Janaki Temple in Janakpur (Sita's birthplace).

Local traditions incorporate elements of Mithila culture with distinctive art forms featuring geometric patterns and natural dyes.

Even though so diverse and different, -  Ultimately, The rituals serve as a celebration of  the victory of good over evil, moral reflection and a reminder to abide by Dharma, one’s  duties and ethical values in this worldly life.

 ** Story of Krishna and Sudama