The birthday of Rama Chandra is observed on the 9th
of the light half of the month Chetr (March-April) and is kept by some as a
strict fast. It was on this day that Visnu incarnated as Rama through
Dasharat's wife Kaushalya. This day is also important because the celebrated
Sanskrit poet Tuli Dasa started composing his classic Ram Charit Manas. The
devotees take a bath in Saryu river on this day. The fast on this day reminds
us about the righteousness of Rama, his devotion to his teacher, removal of
casteism, shelter to the refugee, brotherhood, devotion to parents, monogamy,
devotion to the master by Hanuman and Angad, dutiful devotion of huge bird
Garud. The temples of Rama are illuminated and his image adorned with costly
ornaments. The Ramayana is read in the temples and Naches (nautches) are kept
up during the night of the 9th. The celebration concludes on the 10th.
In Andhra it is celebrated with great religious fervour at the
Sri Seetha Ramchandraswami temple annually in March-April at Bhadrachalam near
Warangal.
It is celebrated in Jaipur (Rajasthan) in honour of Rama's
birth, when a big fair is held at Gattaji in Jaipur.
In Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh region, there is a tradition of
sowing wheat, urad or grams (5-7 kinds) on this occasion, on chetr shukl
pratipada on the floor of the house or in baskets. It is possible that in
ancient times, only barley seeds were sown, so it was called Jawara, later on
Navrat Navratri. From the very first day an earthen vessel is installed, before
which a light is kept burning for all the nine days and nights. On the 8th day
yageya (Horm-Havana) is performed. The seedlings are worshipped every morning
and evening. On the ninth day, among the singing of songs and playing on
musical instruments, the seedlings are immersed in water. A black he-goat is
slaughtered on this day. After this the Jawara seedlings are distributed among
friends communicating good wishes. The offer of Jawara is symbolic of the
strength of the man. The songs sung on the occasion pertain to Yakshas, also
mentioning Yakshasinis, who are the attendants of the goddesses Mehmai,
Bhavani, Shitala, Buddhirnai, Durga. The female Sakti (power) are incorporated
in the songs. Thus Rama worship and Sakti worship are synthesized into one at
this occasion.
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