Celebrating the birth of Sri Rama ~ Sree Rama Navami 2026

 

Celebrating the birth of Sri Rama ~ Sree Rama Navami 2026

*  அங்கணெடு மதிள்புடைசூழ் அயோத்தியென்னும்  அணிநகரத்து  

        உலகு அனைத்தும் விளக்கும் சோதி* 

 

Today is Sree Rama Navami, the birth day of Bhagwan Sree Ramachandra Murthi.  Rāmāyaṇa is the first poem (Ādi Kāvya) in the world,  composed eons ago, adapted by people speaking multiple languages. It is handed down from generation to generation orally and through written versions on palm leaves. Bhagawān, Ṛishi and self-realized Vālmeeki,  gave us  the entire life-story of Rāma, in  enchanting narrative.

The Ghaghara River, also known as the Karnali River in Nepal, Mapcha Tsangpo in Tibet, and as the _________  River in the lower Ghaghara of India's Awadh, is a perennial trans-boundary river that originates in the northern slopes of the Himalayas in the Tibetan Plateau, cuts through the Himalayas in Nepal and joins the Sharda River at Brahmaghat in India. Together they form the Ghaghara River, a major left-bank tributary of the Ganges. With a length of 507 km (315 mi), it is the longest river in Nepal. The total length of the Ghaghara up to its confluence with the Ganges at Revelganj in Bihar is 1,080 km (670 mi).  It is the largest tributary of the Ganges by volume and the second largest by length after Yamuna.  Do you know this river ? 

This earth, in all its entirety and fullness has been under the care of many successful kings starting from Prajāpati. This glorious ithihasa purana  known as Rāmāyaṇa emerged from the descendants of the dynasty of great king Ikshwāku.  The mighty King Dasaratha conducted yagna for begetting progeny.  Six seasons after completion of the Yajña, on the  twelfth month after completion, on the ninth day of the Caitra month, when the five planets were in high position, as the Moon and Bṛihaspati were rising along with the star (Punarvasu) that was presided over by Aditi in the Karkātaka Lagna, Kousalyā gave birth to a son by name Rāma, who would enhance the stature and reputation of the Ikshwāku dynasty, with auspicious features, boding splendid fortunes, endowed with half as many aspects, qualities and powers of  Emperuman Sriman Narayana.

Shree Ram Navami, the auspicious appearance day of Sri Ram, is not only a celebration of a divine birth but also a reminder of a way of living rooted in dharm, courage, and surrender.  In this earthly World,  everything belongs to the Supreme, Sri Ram. Whatever strength we have, whatever abilities we possess, everything is HIS;  we, too, belong to him. Therefore, the purpose of body, mind, and senses is not for our enjoyment, but for his service.  To think that ‘the senses are mine for my pleasure’ is ignorance. To understand that everything belongs to the Lord, that is true knowledge.  When we live in service, we live in surrender. And in that surrender, we find our ultimate refuge. Ram Navami, therefore, is more than a festival. It is a reminder to look beyond temporary identities and rediscover a deeper connection with purpose and responsibility.

பண்ணையும் ஆயமும், திரளும் பாங்கரும்,

கண் அகன் திருநகர் களிப்புக் கைம்மிகுந்து,

எண்ணெயும், களபமும், இழுதும், நானமும்,

சுண்ணமும், தூவினார் - வீதிதோறுமே. 

நற்பண்புகள் அனைத்துக்கும் சிகரம் ஸ்ரீராமபிரான்.  அற்புதமான நகரம் திரு அயோத்தி.  தசரத சக்ரவர்த்திக்கு இக்ஷ்வாகு குலத்தனமாம் இராமனும் இலக்குவண பரத சத்ருக்கணனும் பிறந்த  செய்தியை அரசவை காவலர்கள்  யானைமீதேறி முரசறைந்து அறிவித்தனர்.  மக்கள் அளக்கமுடியாத இன்பம் கொண்டனர். 

जगुः कलं च गन्धर्वा  ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः ।

देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुः पुष्पवृष्टिश्च खाच्च्युता ।

उत्सवश्च महानासीत् अयोध्यायां जनाकुलः ।

रथ्याश्च जनसम्बाधा नटनर्तकसङ्कुलाः ।

गायनैश्च विराविण्यो वादनैश्च तथाऽपरैः ॥

Sage Valmiki in his Ramakavya describes the moment of birth as :  at that  moment, Gandharvas sang melodiously, Apsaras danced with joy, celestial drums were sounded, flowers showered from the sky. Ayōdhyā became festive with people moving all around. Major pathways were clogged with boisterous crowds entertained by singers, musicians, dancers, actors and the like.  After eleven days passed, Vasishṭha performed the naming ceremony for the new borns with delight.

He named the great eldest son as Rāma, the son of Kaikēyee as Bharata and the sons of Sumitrā as Lakshmaṇa and Ṡatrughna.  All of them learned the Vēdas and became knowledgeable in all subjects. They were endowed with all the desirable qualities. They learned to share with everyone and care about everybody.  Those tigers among men were earnestly and equally interested in the study of Vēdas and in learning the skill of archery and in seeking and following the guidance of their parents.

பெண்கள் கூட்டத்திலும்,  ஆண்கள்  கூட்டத்திலும்    இடமகன்ற அந்த அழகிய அயோத்தி மாநகரத்திலே, களிப்பு உவகை உற்று,  மகிழ்ச்சி மேலிட்டு - ; எண்ணெயும் கலவைச்  சாந்து, வெண்ணெய்  புனுகு   வகைகளையும்;  பரிமளப் பொடி வகைகளையும்;  மக்கள் ஆனந்தத்தில் ஒவ்வொரு வீதியிலும் தூவினார்கள்.  இராஜ்யத்துக்கு அழகு வாரிசுகள்   பிறந்த   மகிழ்ச்சியால்   வீதிதோறும் மக்கள் மகிழ்ச்சியைக் கொண்டாடினர்.  ‘’எண்ணெய்  சுண்ணம் எதிரெதிர்  தூவிட’’  என பெரியாழ்வார் இதனை விவரிக்கிறார்.  . 

Today (27^th Mar 2026)  is the holy day of Sree Rama Navami – the day on which Lord Sri Ramachandramurthy,  the supreme avatar of Maryada Purush  was born in the blessed land of Ayodhya.  Lord Rama descended on earth for the purpose of upholding righteousness and rewarding virtue. 

Mentioned in the 2^nd para – the  Ghaghara River, also known as the Karnali River  is River Sarayu !!    largest tributary of the Ganges by volume and the second largest by length after Yamuna.   Lower Ghaghara is popularly known as Sarayu in India, especially while it flows through the city of Ayodhya.  Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, is situated on the banks of the river Sarayu.  The Sarayu river   symbolizes spiritual merit, purification, and liberation.  

Awadh,  known in British historical texts as Avadh or Oudh, is a historical region in northern India, now constituting the northeastern portion of Uttar Pradesh. It is roughly synonymous with the ancient Kosala region of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain scriptures. Sadly over the centuries, Islamic dynastics pillaged and ransacked this holy place and ruled in these places with Faizabad serving as capital for some time.    Later, the capital was relocated to Lucknow, which is now the capital of Uttar Pradesh. The British conquered Awadh in 1856, infuriated Indians and was recognised as a factor causing the Indian Rebellion (1857-58), the biggest Indian uprising against British rule.  The word Awadh is inherited from the Sanskrit word Ayodhya meaning "not to be warred against, irresistible” 

After centuries of dispute and court cases – now stands a very majestic temple at the very place where Sree Ramapiran was born – the Rama Janmabhoomi.  There is only one by name Sri Rama, born in the lineage of Ikshwaku.  He is totally balanced, one in complete control of His words, thoughts and deeds; a man of great valour ~ a person of steadfast character and radiant countenance – Lord Sree Rama

The Greatest of Ithihasa purana ‘Sri Ramayanam’  is the undiluted history of the Greatest Person who descended on this Universe, on the banks of river Sarayu, in a prosperous country called ‘Koshala’.  In the immortal Ramayana, there are learning of life ….. For the Universe, Sri Rama and Sita are the Ideal persons.  Sri Rama is all pervading principle of Truth, character, steadfastness, sincerity, valour, skill, correctness, just, compassionate, righteous and more.    

On the day of Sri Rama Navami, there will the purappadu of Sri Rama in Hanumantha vahanam later in the evening.  Mere chanting of His name [Sri Rama Namam] will bring us all good things and prosperity.  

श्री राम राम  रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे ।

सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥ 

                                   Meditate again and again the divine name of Rama  - mind gets absorbed in the divine consciousness of Rama, it is transcendental and is capable of relieving all evils, giving us all prosperity. 

Sree Ram Navami   holds special meaning for millions of devotees across the globe. This year, the festival not only marks the birth of Lord Rama, but it also comes at a time when the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a reality, —an event long awaited and deeply symbolic for many. With the temple’s stunning architecture almost ready, the celebrations are   more heartfelt, grand, and spiritually enriching than ever before.   Devotees celebrate Ram Navami through fasting, prayers, and devotional singing.  

Today at Ayodhya, there is Surya Tilak ceremony held at the new Mandir at 12.00 noon, utilizing a sophisticated mirror and lens system to illuminate the Ram Lalla idol's forehead with sunlight. The moment lasts only a few minutes, but it is carefully timed and planned. It is not accidental sunlight. It is guided, aligned, and made to happen with precision.  At its core, the Surya Tilak is about directing sunlight in a very controlled way. A narrow beam of light, roughly 5.8 centimetres wide, is guided to fall exactly on the idol’s forehead. This is done using a specially designed mechanism made up of mirrors and lenses. The system uses four mirrors and four lenses placed in a way that sunlight travels from the top of the temple down into the Garbha Griha. The timing is precise. Around midday, the light aligns correctly and stays focused on the idol’s forehead for roughly 3 to 3.5 minutes. It works through an opto-mechanical system built with multiple precision components. There is also a tilt mechanism, which helps adjust the angle of the first mirror. That first alignment plays a key role in how the light moves through the rest of the system.

Uthsavam for the Maryada Purush ~ Emperor of Kosala Kingdom is now on  at Thiruvallikkeni and other divyadesams.  Today evening there would be grand Hanumantha vahana purappadu. 

 

~adiyen Srinivasadhasan.
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
27.3.2026

PS :  the first 4 photos are of Thiruvallikkeni Sri Ramapiran; rest are of Ayodhya Sree Ram Janma Mandir temple.