Ram Navami 2020: PM Narendra Modi greets nation on lord Ram’s birthday

Prime
Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Rama Navami on
Thursday. “Heartiest greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of Ram
Navami. Jai Shri Ram!” the Prime Minister wrote on Twitter.

Rama Navami
commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Sri Rama, who is believed to be the
seventh incarnation of God Vishnu in Hindu religion.

Ram Navami
falls on the end of Navratri – a nine-day Hindu festival where prayers are
offered to goddess Durga.

The festival
is celebrated on the ninth day of the Chaitra month of Hindu calender.
Devotees, who have been observing fast throughout Navratri, break the fast on
this day.

This year,
however, large gatherings are banned due to a nationwide lockdown imposed by
the government to contain the coronavirus epidemic and it is expected that
people avoid large gatherings on the occasion.

People also
offer prayers to Lord Rama on this day. During Navratri, the nine incarnations
of Goddess Durga are worshipped.

The practice
is culminated with ‘kanjak puja’, mostly seen in North India. Tradition
dictates that nine young girls are invited to homes, worshipped and offered a
sacred meal (kanya bhoj).

The
customary feast usually comprises poori (Indian puffed flat bread), kaale
chane, sooji ka halwa and some fruits.