The festival of Ram Navami marking the birth of Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, is being celebrated across Bihar today with full enthusiasm and religious fervour.
Ram Navami, one of the main festivals of Bihar and also the northern India, falls on the ninth day of the first month Chaitra in the Hindu calendar and the day is also significant as it marks the end of nine-day fast also known as Chaitra Navratri.
Temples across the state have been decorated the with flowers, dressing up the deities magnanimously and adorning them with various ornamental offerings. People also observed fast from sunrise till sunset.
In the state capital, Hanuman Mandir near Patna railway station is witnessing the congregation of a large number of devotees as they stood in long queues since late last night to pay their obeisance to Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman as soon as the temple was opened for the day.
In many villages, people celebrate Ram Navami by providing food for the needy.
Ram Navami is also celebrated by many Muslims in Champaran region of Bihar and Tarai region of adjoining Nepal. Thakuria Muslims, whose ancestors were once Rajputs and converted to Islam in the area, still follow some Hindu customs and seeks to emphasise their Rajput identity by celebrating Chhath Puja and Ram Navami.
Kanya Puja
Hindus also perform the rituals of Kanya Puja on this day, where nine girls are invited at home and given respect as Hindus believe that they are the manifestation of Indian devis (goddesses). Prasad consisting of halwa and puri is also prepared and offered to the girls.
