Today, April 12th 2011, is Sri Rama Navami. Sri Rama Navami celebrates the incarnation of Sri Rama on Earth. It is the 9th day after the New year, 'UGADI'. Sri Rama Navami occurs on 'Chaithra Suddha Navami', 9th Day of the First Month of a Year. Rama is the Incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He took birth as a common man and his life remains as an absolute example for every one. His life was bio-graph'ed by the great sage 'Valmiki' in 'Ramayanam'.
Rama was born as the eldest son to the great king 'Dasaradha' and his mother 'Kousalya'. He had 3 step brothers- Lakshmana, Bharatha, Satrughna. He learnt all the skills from his Guru, 'Viswamithra'. He was married to the 'Sita', the incarnation of goddess Lakshmi, was the daughter of the king, 'Janaka'. As a result of Rama's step mother's jealousy, Rama was asked to lead 14 years of his life in Forest. So, Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana left the kingdom. There, 'Ravana', the evil king of Lanka, kidnapped Sita. Rama found Sita and destroyed the evil Ravana with the help of 'Hanuman', King 'Sugreeva'.
This day marks not only the birthday of Rama but also the day when Rama was crowned the Emperor after the return from forest. 'Rama raajyam', the kingdom of Rama, was said to be a perfect kingdom where there was no crime, fraud in the country. Jewels, diamonds, gold were all sold for free. No part of the kingdom suffered drought. It was always a land of surplus resources.
Rama's existence can be remembered by his Kingdom's capital, Ayodhya, which is still in existence. Ayodhya has many temples of Rama which celebrate this festival with utmost joy. Can you imagine any one who wouldn't celebrate the 'Rama raajyam' ??
The 'Rama Sethu', the bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka is present under the ocean today. This bridge was built by Rama from India to Sri Lanka on Ocean to fight the evil King Ravana. It was built by stones, which floated on water. This was possible by writing the name of Rama on every stone, which floated on water then. And thus the bridge was laid to Lanka and the evil King Ravana was defeated. Even today, the satellite images prove the existence of this bridge.
Jai Sri Rama !!
