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Ram Navami Coloring Pages
The birthday of Lord Rama is enthusiastically celebrated on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra, all over India. Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his human incarnation as Rama, the divine ruler of Ayodhya. Celebrations begin with a prayer to the Sun early in the morning. At midday, when Lord Rama is supposed to have been born, a special prayer is performed. People sing devotional songs in praise of Rama and rock images of him in a cradle to celebrate his birth. People gather in thousands on the banks of the sacred river Sarayu for a dip. Some observe a strict fast on this day.
Ayodhya is the focus of great celebrations. Devotees throng the temples.
Ramnavami celebrations begin with a prayer to the Sun early in the morning. In northern India especially, an event that draws popular participation is the Ramnavami procession. The main attraction of this procession is a gaily-decorated chariot in which four persons are dressed up as Rama, his brother Laxmana, his queen Sita and his disciple Hanuman. Several other persons dressed up in accompany the chariot. The procession is a gusty affair with the participants shouting praises echoing the happy days of Rama’s reign.
Ramnavami occurs at the beginning of summer when the sun has started moving nearer to the northern hemisphere. The Sun is considered to be the progenitor of Rama’s dynasty, which is called the Sun dynasty (Raghukul). Rama is also known as Raghunath, Raghupati, Raghavendra etc. That all these names begin with the prefix Raghu is also suggestive of some link with Sun worship. The hour chosen for the observance of the lord’s birth is that when the sun is overhead and is at its maximum brilliance.