Sri Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. He was the prince of Ayodhya and also the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Rama was known as Maryada Purushottam as he represented the ideal man. He was a devoted son who went into exile to uphold his father’s promise to his stepmother. He was an affectionate brother who held no grudges against the brother who stood to inherit the throne that was rightly his. He was a loving husband who crossed an ocean to rescue his wife from captivity. He was even a noble enemy who respected his foe’s strengths and skills.
Above all, he was an ideal monarch who put the interests of his subjects above everything else. He even had to face separation from his wife and sons on this account.
Rama’s story, in fact, mirrors the dilemmas and conflicts that many of us encounter in our lives. Rama’s life teaches us that we cannot ignore our duties and responsibilities in life. At times, we may even have to sacrifice our personal pleasures and comforts to fulfill them.
The Wisdom Behind Ramanavami Celebrations
Our festivals are more than just celebrations. Behind their rites and observances lies a deep wisdom that teaches us to live in accordance with nature’s rhythms and moods. For instance, many festivals are associated with certain foods and delicacies that are prepared during this time and consumed.
During festivals that are held during monsoon time, people generally avoid non-vegetarian food. They also consume foods that boost immunity, as the rainy season causes many viral infections. There are also traditions about making only certain foods as ‘Naivedyam’ or offerings to the deity who is worshipped on a specific day.
Hindus celebrate Rama Navami on the last and ninth day of Chaitra Navaratri, which occurs during the spring season. It marks the end of spring and heralds the onset of summer.
On the occasion of Sri Rama Navami, only simple preparations are required to please Rama. Such preparations are also good for health during the upcoming summer months.
On Rama Navami, devotees come together, sing Bhajans and Kirtans and offer worship. After the worship, they are served the following delicacies:
Panakam– This is a drink made with water, jaggery, powdered ginger, pepper powder and spices like cardamom and cloves. The natural minerals present in jaggery are good for health. Ginger and pepper help regulate digestion that can be affected by high temperatures during summer. The cardamom and cloves lend a ‘zing’ to the drink. Overall, panakam makes for a refreshing ‘energy’ drink.
Vada Pappu: This simple recipe needs no cooking! Just soak moong dal in water and garnish it with coconut, green chilies, and salt. Moong dal gives us protein, and it is a cooling legume. It has an alkaline quality, and so it can reduce acidity. It is also easy on the stomach.
If the moong dal provides us with protein and carbohydrates, the coconut provides healthy fats. The green chilies and salt make it tasty. Some also add cucumber, which cools the body, and grated carrots to the dish.
Spiced buttermilk: Buttermilk is the liquid that remains after the churning of butter. It cools the body and keeps it hydrated. It also contains probiotics that promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria (which helps digestion). This delicious and nourishing drink is an excellent thirst-quencher and digestive drink that can soothe upset stomachs and inner heat. To make it tastier, people add some green chilies, ginger, salt, and crushed shallots.
Naivedyam items are the deity’s favorite dishes. Maybe Rama loved these dishes because he knew that they were exactly what we would need to get through the summer?
Sign in to leave a comment.