Sree Rama Navami

Hello Friends,

Sreerama Navami(Birthday of Lord Rama) was celebrated throughout the country with lot of devotion. In South Indian temples SreeRama Kalyanotsavam (Marriage of Lord Rama with Seeta) is celebrated.The ritual is performed not only in big temples but also in every small temple.Prasad is made of soaked Moong Dal+Sugar mixture called 'Vadapappu' & a sweet drink made by dissolving sugar/jaggery in water & adding elachi/black pepper powder to it and this drink is called 'Paanakam'.Devotees gather in very large numbers to view the marriage of god.The priests perform the ritual amid Veda mantroccharana (recital of Vedas & mantras). The kalyanotsavam is perfectly conducted with events like Kanyadanam(to give goddess Sita hand into Lord Rama's),Subhamuhurtham(mixture of jaggery & jeera kept on heads of Rama & Sita, which signifies that how the jaggery sticks with jeera, so will we be as a couple), Mangalyadharana(to tie the sacred mangalsutra made of golden sutras,(they look round in shape & size of a 50 paise coin) tied to yellow thread/gold chain in the neck of goddess Sita by Lord Rama),Muthyala thalambralu{white pearls/white rice grains/rice grains mixed with Haldi(yellow colored) or Kumkum(red colored) powders are poured on heads of the couple}.The priests carry all these rituals to the idols of Lord Rama & Goddess Sita on behalf of both of them.

Bhadrachalam,a very famous temple in South India situated on the
banks of river Godavari in Khammam district of AndhraPradesh,India
conducts thisKalyanotsavam on a very large scale.Lakhs of devootes come
from various parts of the country to participate in this festival.Here the
temple was constructed byBhakta Ramadasa( a devotee of Lord Rama)
in 17th century A.D.

Lord' Rama's Temple in Bhardachalam

On behalf of the Government of AndhraPradesh,the Chief minister offers 'Pattuvasthralu' (clothes-sari & dhoti made of golden zari) & Muthyala thalambralu to lord.

One must be present in these festivals to view its glory.

Early morning,I performed puja(worship of god) in my house & offered prasadam- vadapappu & panakam & went to a near-by temple & had the opportunity of participating in the kalyanotsavam.My heart was immersed with prayers of Lord Rama & my lips began to sing...

"Sree Rama Jai Rama Jaiya Jaiya Rama
Sree Rama Jai Rama Jaiya Jaiya Rama"