For all the posts in this Holidays & Observances series, go here.
Prologue: I have been meaning to write a series about Holidays and Observances that we (my family and friends) follow in both India (my birth country) and USA (my adopted country). This series is dedicated to those. On a side note, perhaps I might witness some of the celebrations from other countries as well that may get their way into this series. 🙂
Sri Rama Navami is the Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama and usually falls on the 8th day after the festival of Ugadi – the 30th of March this year (2023). Lord Rama is worshipped in every form every where – some worship his child form, some his adult form; and some people even perform his wedding to Goddess Sita on this day.
Ratha Yatras (= Chariot Processions) of Lord Rana, Goddess Sita, his brother Lakshmana and his trusted devotee Lord Hanuman take place all over the country or anywhere Hindus celebrating this festival. This festival signifies the victory of good over evil – dharma over adharma
On this day we offer to the Lord Vadapappu (delicacy made of mangos, green chillis and soaked green gram, pesarapappu) and Panakam (a drink made of jaggery, cardamom, pepper powder and cold water). Since the festival occurs in Summer in India, these two offer much needed refreshment to quench the hot summer.
Galavant Reflections 