Ram Navami, the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, is one of the most significant festivals in Hinduism. This day celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is observed on the ninth day (Navami) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra (March-April).
Here is a comprehensive guide on how to worship on Ram Navami, ensuring eco-friendly practices.
1. Cleanliness and Preparation for Ram Navami Puja
Cleanliness is a crucial aspect of any Hindu ritual. It signifies both external and internal purity. Before starting your Ram Navami Puja:
- Home Cleanliness: Clean the puja area and home thoroughly. Mop the floors, dust the furniture, and remove any clutter to ensure a clean environment for the deity.
- Personal Cleanliness: Take a bath early in the morning to purify yourself. Wearing fresh, clean clothes is essential.
2. Best Time for Ram Navami Puja
The muhurta (auspicious time) for Ram Navami Puja is typically during the Madhyahna (midday) as it is believed that Lord Rama was born at noon.
- Ideal Puja Time: Midday (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM) is considered the best time for the puja.
- Fasting: Devotees often observe a fast until the puja is concluded. Some people opt for a full day fast, while others may consume fruits and milk.
3. What to Wear for Ram Navami Puja
Traditionally, yellow and saffron (ochre) are considered auspicious colors for Ram Navami as they represent purity, spirituality, and devotion to Lord Rama.
- Men: Wear traditional dhoti-kurta in yellow or saffron.
- Women: Women can wear sarees or salwar kameez in similar colors.
4. Eco-friendly Puja Items Required
Using eco-friendly, traditional items not only honors ancient customs but also shows reverence to nature. Ensure all items used are biodegradable and avoid plastic wherever possible.
- Idol or Picture of Lord Rama: A small metal or eco-friendly clay idol or a framed picture of Lord Rama, along with his consort Sita, his brother Lakshman, and his devoted follower Hanuman.
- Flowers: Fresh lotus or marigold flowers, especially yellow or orange ones. Ensure they are locally sourced and organic.
- Fruits: Bananas, coconuts, and seasonal fruits like mangoes.
- Leaves: Betel leaves (paan), Tulsi (holy basil) leaves for offerings.
- Incense sticks (Agarbatti): Choose natural, organic incense made from flowers, herbs, and essential oils.
- Diyas (Lamps): Use earthen diyas filled with ghee or sesame oil.
- Sandalwood Paste: For applying on the forehead and for the deity.
- Panchamrit: A sacred mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar used for abhishekam (ritual bathing).
- Holy Water: From the Ganges or any clean river, or simply purified water.
- Akshat (Unbroken Rice Grains): For offering to the deity.
- Kalash (Copper or Earthen Pot): Filled with water, mango leaves, and a coconut placed on top.
- Eco-friendly Toran: Made from mango leaves and marigold flowers to decorate the entrance.
5. Simple Steps to Perform Ram Navami Puja
Step 1: Set Up the Altar
- Place the idol or image of Lord Rama at the center of your puja altar.
- Arrange flowers, fruits, and other offerings in front of the deity.
- Light a ghee diya and incense sticks.
Step 2: Invoke Lord Rama
- Sit in a comfortable position, facing east.
- Begin by meditating on Lord Rama and chanting the mantra:
- "Om Sri Ramaya Namah" (108 times if possible).
Step 3: Kalash Sthapana (Establishing the Pot)
- Place a Kalash filled with water and mango leaves on the altar as a symbol of prosperity and auspiciousness.
Step 4: Abhishekam (Bathing the Idol)
- If using an idol, perform the abhishekam with Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar) and water. Gently clean the idol after the bath.
Step 5: Offerings (Naivedyam)
- Offer flowers, fruits, coconut, and sweets to the deity.
- Recite the following shloka:
- "Om Ramachandraya Vidmahe Sita Vallabhaya Dheemahi Tanno Rama Prachodayat".
Step 6: Aarti
- Light camphor and perform the Aarti (circular motion) in front of Lord Rama’s idol or picture, while singing the Ram Aarti:
- "Jai Siya Ram, Jai Jai Ram".
6. Prasad to Prepare
Prasad is a vital part of the puja. Prepare simple and traditional foods like:
- Panakam: A sweet drink made with jaggery, water, cardamom, and black pepper.
- Kosambari: A healthy salad made from soaked moong dal, grated cucumber, and coconut.
- Sweet Pongal or Kheer: A rice pudding made with jaggery, rice, and milk.
- Sattu (Roasted Gram Flour): Mixed with ghee and sugar.
All ingredients should be fresh, vegetarian, and made without onion or garlic.
7. Mantras and Prayers
Mantras invoke the divine blessings of Lord Rama. You can chant the following during the puja:
- "Om Sri Ramaya Namah" (Chant this as much as possible during the day).
- "Sri Rama Raksha Stotra": A powerful prayer invoking Lord Rama’s protection.
- Ramayana Shlokas: Recite verses from the Ramcharitmanas or Valmiki Ramayana.
8. How to Conclude the Puja
After completing the Aarti, you can conclude the puja with:
- Shanti Path: A universal prayer for peace and harmony.
- "Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niraamayah, Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Maa Kashchid Duhkha Bhaagbhavet".
- Offer the Prasad to all family members and distribute it to guests or neighbors.
9. What to Do with the Puja Leftover Items
It's important to handle the leftover puja items in an eco-friendly way:
- Flowers and Leaves: Collect all flowers and leaves and either compost them or immerse them in a natural water body (river or pond) in a respectful manner, ensuring no plastic waste is involved.
- Diyas and Incense Ash: Dispose of the ash in a garden or plant pot. The ashes can enrich the soil.
- Kalash Water: Sprinkle the holy water in the garden or at the base of plants.
- Food Offerings: Share the Prasad with family, friends, and even animals to avoid any wastage.
10. Importance and Benefits of Ram Navami Puja
The celebration of Ram Navami holds immense spiritual and psychological benefits:
- Spiritual Upliftment: Devotion to Lord Rama increases one’s faith, patience, and moral virtues like truthfulness, loyalty, and righteousness.
- Mental Peace: Chanting Lord Rama’s name calms the mind and reduces stress.
- Protection: Lord Rama is the embodiment of dharma (righteousness) and protecting one from evil influences and misfortune.
- Family Harmony: Performing the puja together strengthens family bonds and brings prosperity and happiness.
By following these simple yet meaningful steps in an eco-friendly manner, you can celebrate Ram Navami with devotion, while also honoring nature, which is intrinsic to Hindu worship practices.