Hindus celebrate 'Ram Navami'

Ayodhya/New Delhi, Mar 24 (ANI): Hindu devotees celebrate the festival of Ram Navami, the birth anniversary of Lord Rama on Wednesday.

The festival marks the end of the nine-day long fasting and Navaratri festival in north India.

At Ayodhya, which is considered to be the birthplace of Rama, hundreds of devotees took holy dip in river Saryu and visited temples to offer special prayers on the occasion.

"Besides the main place where Rama was born, the festival is celebrated with great fervour in Hanuman temple and the Valmiki temple as well. So, we have come here to participate in that," said Shivnarayan Prasad, a devotee.

Devotees of all age groups thronged the temples in New Delhi since dawn with offerings of sweets, flowers and fruits. The temples were lit with decorated lamps for the day.

"On the occasion of Navami, we offer special prayers and keep fast during the nine days of Navaratri. After performing rituals on the Navami, we break our fast and the Lord fulfils all our wishes," said Pradeep Kumar, a devotee.

According to the Hindu legend, Rama was born as an incarnation of Vishnu (a part of the divine trinity of Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara - creator, protector and destroyer).

It is believed that Rama was born to eradicate evil from the earth. His saga is depicted in the Ramayana scripture.

Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the moonlit fortnight in the Chaitra as per Hindu almanac, which usually coincides with the spring season and falls in the month of March or April.

Most people consider it an auspicious day and some even observe a strict fast on the day.

They believe that fasting will secure them a place in heaven. It is also observed as a day of thanks giving. (ANI)