Rama

====Rama Navami====
[[Rama Navami]] is a spring festival that celebrates the birthday of Rama. The festival is a part of the spring [[Navratri]], and falls on the ninth day of the bright half of [[Chaitra]] month in the traditional [[Hindu calendar]]. This typically occurs in the Gregorian months of March or April every year.{{Sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|p=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/562 562]}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=City News, Indian City Headlines, Latest City News, Metro City News |url=https://indianexpress.com/section/cities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407143924/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=175953 |archive-date=7 April 2009 |access-date=7 March 2021 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

The day is marked by recital of Rama legends in temples, or reading of Rama stories at home. Some Vaishnava Hindus visit a temple, others pray within their home, and some participate in a [[bhajan]] or [[kirtan]] with music as a part of [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] and [[aarti]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121104195645/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-02/mysore/28056195_1_ramanavami-music-festival-temples-devotees Ramnavami]</ref> The community organises charitable events and volunteer meals. The festival is an occasion for moral reflection for many Hindus.<ref name="bbc">{{Cite web |title=BBC – Religions – Hinduism: Rama Navami |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/rama.shtml |access-date=7 March 2021 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=25 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725153056/http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/rama.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="bp">{{cite web |date=8 April 2014 |title=President and PM greet people as India observes Ram Navami today |url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/president-and-pm-greet-people-as-india-observes-ram-navami-today/ |access-date=8 April 2014 |work=IANS |publisher=news.biharprabha.com |archive-date=9 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409001520/http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/president-and-pm-greet-people-as-india-observes-ram-navami-today/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Some mark this day by [[vrata]] (fasting) or a visit to a river for a dip.<ref name="bbc" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=National Portal of India |url=https://www.india.gov.in/ |access-date=7 March 2021 |website=[[Govt. of India]] |archive-date=14 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314045800/http://india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4282 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="dna8apr2014">{{Cite web |last=John |first=Josephine |date=8 April 2014 |title=Hindus around the world celebrate Ram Navami today |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-hindus-around-the-world-celebrate-ram-navami-today-1976344 |access-date=7 March 2021 |website=[[Zee News|DNA India]] |language=en |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225011544/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-hindus-around-the-world-celebrate-ram-navami-today-1976344 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The important celebrations on this day take place at [[Ayodhya]], [[Sitamarhi]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sitamarhi {{!}} India |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Sitamarhi |access-date=8 March 2021 |website=[[Encyclopedia Britannica]] |language=en |quote=A large Ramanavami fair, celebrating the birth of Lord Rama, is held in spring with considerable trade in pottery, spices, brass ware, and cotton cloth. A cattle fair held in Sitamarhi is the largest in Bihar state. The town is sacred as the birthplace of the goddess Sita (also called Janaki), the wife of Rama. |archive-date=27 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427100105/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/546790/Sitamarhi |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Janakpur]] ([[Nepal]]), [[Bhadrachalam]], [[Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta]] and [[Rameswaram]]. Rathayatras, the chariot processions, also known as ''Shobha yatras'' of Rama, Sita, his brother [[Lakshmana]] and [[Hanuman]], are taken out at several places.<ref name="bbc" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Latest News, India News, Breaking News, Today's News Headlines Online |url=https://indianexpress.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407015100/http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990325/ige25105.html |archive-date=7 April 2009 |access-date=8 March 2021 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=City News, Indian City Headlines, Latest City News, Metro City News |url=https://indianexpress.com/section/cities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407143929/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=47910 |archive-date=7 April 2009 |access-date=8 March 2021 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref> In Ayodhya, many take a dip in the sacred river [[Sarayu River (Ayodhya)|Sarayu]] and then visit the Rama temple.<ref name="dna8apr2014" />

Rama Navami day also marks the end of the nine-day spring festival celebrated in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh called [[Vasanthotsavam|''Vasanthothsavam'']] (Festival of Spring), that starts with [[Ugadi]]. Some highlights of this day are ''Kalyanam'' (ceremonial wedding performed by temple priests) at [[Bhadrachalam]] on the banks of the river [[Godavari]] in [[Bhadradri Kothagudem district|Bhadradri Kothagudem]] district of [[Telangana]], preparing and sharing ''Panakam'' which is a sweet drink prepared with jaggery and pepper, a procession and Rama temple decorations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Satpathy |first=Kriti Saraswat |date=14 April 2016 |title=Did you know these rituals of Ram Navami celebration in Karnataka? |url=https://www.india.com/travel/articles/did-you-know-these-rituals-of-ram-navami-celebration-in-karnataka-3234872/ |access-date=6 March 2021 |website=India News, Breaking News {{!}} India.com |language=en |archive-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112131440/https://www.india.com/travel/articles/did-you-know-these-rituals-of-ram-navami-celebration-in-karnataka-3234872/ |url-status=live }}</ref>