Ramnavami - the birthday of Lord Rama falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra (April 12, 2011).

On this auspicious day, devotees repeat the name of Rama with every breath and vow to lead a righteous life. Some observe a strict fast on the day. Temples are decorated and the image of Lord Rama is richly adorned. The holy Ramayana is read in the temples. At Ayodhya, the birthplace of Sri Rama, a big fair is held on this day.

Ramnavami Resources

• Listen to Rama Bhajans
• Sing Rama Hymn or Aarti
• Read the Summary of Ramayana
• Learn More About The Ramayana
• About the Characters of Ramayana
• Rama Discussion Forum

A long long time ago, King Dhruvasindhu of Kosala was killed by a lion while on a hunting expedition. Preparations were made to crown the prince Sudarshana, son of one of the queens of Dhruvasindhu. But, King Yudhajit of Ujjain, the father of Queen Lilavati, and King Virasena of Kalinga, the father of Queen Manorama, were each desirous of securing the throne of Kosala for their respective grandsons. They went to war with each other, and King Virasena was killed in the battle. So, Queen Manorama had to flee to the forest with Prince Sudarshana accompanied by a eunuch. They took refuge in the hermitage of Rishi Bharadwaja, the great sage.

The victorious King Yudhajit, then crowned his grandson, Shatrujit at Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala. He then went out in search of Manorama and her son, and reached Rishi Bharadwaja's abode. The sage said that he would not give up anyone who had sought protection under him. Yudhajit became furious, and returned to his capital.

Fortune smiled on Prince Sudarshana, and he obtained the grace of the Divine Mother by the repeated utterance of her mantra. Devi Durga appeared to him, blessed him and granted him divine weapons and an inexhaustible quiver. Thus, he started worshiping the Mother Goddess. Read full story

Sudarshana's descendants, Sri Rama and Lakshmana, also performed the worship of the Devi during Vasanta Navaratri. They were blessed with Divine assistance in the rescue of Sita from the evil clutches of the demon King Ravana of Lanka, as recounted in the great epic of Ramayana.

According to two lunar Hindu calendars, it's New Year today! April 4, 2011, marks the beginning of Vikram Samvat 2068. Also known as 'Chaitra Shukladi,' this day is celebrated as New Year by Hindus in major states in northern India. This day is also observed as the start of Saka year 1933 per another lunar calendar.

However, it is to be noted here that according to the solar calendar recognized by the Government of India, the year 1933 of the Saka era has already begun on March 23, 2011. If you find this a little lunatic, this article on the Hindu Calendar System, may make sense.

Although it is quite popular in South East Asia, ironically, the Saka calendar is hardly followed in India barring fine-print mentions in government gazettes and circulars, and by the All India Radio at the beginning of the day's broadcast.

The Saka Era started in 78 AD, and the current Saka calendar was set up in 1957 by the Calendar Reform Committee that formalized a lunisolar calendar in which leap years coincide with those of the Gregorian calendar, and the months are named after the traditional Indian months.

The Hindus of Kashmir will start their new year 5087 - Navreh - in early April. At the same time, the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh will begin their new year - Ugadi. The Marathas will celebrate their new year Gudi Padwa, and the Sindhis will observe Cheti Chand, the coming of new year, during the same time.

This year, the Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Kashmiri and Sindhi New Year fall on the same day - April 4, 2011 - the first day of the month of Chaitra, heralding the advent of spring.

Don't forget to wish happy new year to your friends from these Indian communities! Read more...