Ram Navami - The birth of Lord Rama
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Items used during prayers by the Hindus |
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A
small bell, silver gauntlet containing blessed water and a diya
form the essential elements during prayers and bhajans (devotional
songs).
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Links
to other pages for this festival
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Hindus
around the world celebrate Ram Navami in many ways. Some people
send Ram Navami cards to their friends and families.
Most
celebrations in the UK occur in the privacy of their homes.
But
temples in the UK normally celebrate by reciting prayers and
devotional songs.
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Coconut
burfi used as holy offering during prayers
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Some
choose to fast on this day.
They
will only eat potatoes made in any form but without haldi
(turmeric), garlic, ginger or onion.
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They
are allowed to eat fruit and root vegetables of any kind.
Curd, tea, coffee, milk, and water are also permitted.
Bhajans
(devotional songs), praising the exploits of Lord Rama, his
loyal brother Lakshmana and his devoted wife Sita are sung.
The house is given a thorough spring clean. Pictures of Lord
Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman are placed on a pedestal
in preparation for puja (prayer).
Flowers
and incense are kept before the deities. There are two thaalis
(silver plates) kept ready in the puja area. One contains the
prasaad (holy offering). |
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Small
bell used during aarti
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The
other thaali includes items for the prayer i.e. rice, blessed
water, flowers and a small bell.
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The
ceremony starts with the youngest female member of the family
applying teeka (made of sandalwood paste) on all the male
members of the family.
Kumkum (red bindi) is applied on the foreheads of all
the ladies. Everyone participates in the puja and bhajans.
An
aarti (holy prayer) is performed at the end of this
ceremony.
Ganga
jal (blessed water) is sprinkled over the gathering to
purify the souls.
Finally,
the prasaad is distributed amongst people who have gathered
for worship. And so ends the religious day for Ram Navami.
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BLAST
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Youth
arts in Shropshire. |
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