The Supreme Lord incarnates in many forms like Matsya the fish, Varaha the boar, Narsimha the half man half lion. All these forms of the Lord are very attractive to His devotees who take great pleasure in talking about his pastimes. One such famous incarnation of The Supreme Lord is Lord Rama. The birth of Lord Rama is celebrated as Rama Navami. Lord Rama was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya. Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata. Sumitra gave birth to the twins: Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

Lord Rama’s pastimes which are recorded in the great epic Ramayana written by Valmiki, are very instructive, filled with heart touching emotions, life moulding lessons, thrilling adventures, a principled life-style, truthfulness, honesty, heroism, and many more impressive aspects. Lord Rama is glorified by his devotees and many poets as the ideal king, the ideal brother, the ideal husband, the most chivalrous warrior, the most handsome prince, the most virtuous hero and the most righteous king. Even today, people desire a kingdom like that of Lord Rama, popularly called as Rama-rajya.

The festival of Ram Navami marks the birthday celebrations of the Supreme Lord Sri Rama. According to the ancient Vedic calendar, it falls in the Spring season. It is considered auspicious to undertake a fast on the day in the name of Rama. Devotees perform elaborate worships and chant the name of Rama. Temples of Rama decorated with flowers, leaves and have special services and bhajan sessions throughout the day.
Sri Ramachandra is the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as an ideal king. He appeared in Treta-yuga, many millennia ago. By order of His father, Maharaja Dasaratha, Sri Ramachandra lived in Dandakaranya forest for fourteen years with his wife Sita Devi and his younger brother, Laksmana. After the powerful demon Ravana kidnapped His wife, Lord Ramachandra, with the help of His faithful servant Hanuman and his brother Lakshmana, rescued her and defeated Ravana and his armies. The history of the pastimes of Lord Ramachandra is told by the sage Valmiki in the Ramayana book.

To establish the principles of religion and annihilate the miscreants, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared in the Treta-yuga age as Sri Rama, the son of King Dasharath of Ayodha. His pastimes have been recorded in the Bhagavata Purana and retold in the epic Ramayana, and are remembered to this day in devotee households the world over.

Lord Rama’s appearance day is celebrated with great awe and reverence.
Devotees of Krishna celebrate the appearance day of His avatar, Lord Rama, by fasting until sunset and increasing their hearing and chanting about the Lord’s pastimes.

You can chant the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra while meditating on the holy name of Rama.

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Great saints explain that the name of the Lord is non-different from the Lord, and that by chanting His name we can associate with Him and keep His company. By uttering His name we invoke His presence.

So think of Rama. Read about Rama. Hear about Rama. Chant Rama’s name.

In the evening, devotees perform Rama Taraka Homa by chanting the Sri Rama Ashtottara Shata Nama. After the homa, a special shayana arati is performed. Devotees sing Nama Ramayana – a song which narrates the entire Ramayana.