The Ram Nawami festival is being celebrated across the country with fanfare today, April 6. This festival is dedicated to the worship of Lord Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world. Devotees have been visiting various shrines of Lord Ram since early morning to commemorate his birth.
According to the Hindu belief, Lord Ram was born on Chaitra Shukla Nawami, the ninth day on the bright half of moon in the month of Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April), as the son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya of Ayodhya during the Treta Yuga.
Theologian and Chairperson of the Nepal Calendar Determination and Development Committee, Prof Dr Ramchandra Gautam, said that Ram Nawami serves as an inspiration for dignified, disciplined, and principled leadership, exemplified by Lord Ram.
To mark the occasion, Ramlila performances are held in Janakpur, Nepal and Ayodhya, India. Today, large crowds of devotees from both Nepal and India have gathered at the Ram Janaki Temple in Janakpur to take part in a grand fair organized in celebration.
Traditions observed on Ram Nawami include fasting, bathing in sacred rivers, lakes, and ponds, reciting the Ramayana, singing devotional songs (bhajans), and worshipping Lord Ram throughout the night.
President and Vice President Extend Best Wishes
On the occasion, President Ramchandra Paudel extended his best wishes for happiness, peace, and prosperity to all Nepalis at home and abroad. He expressed hope that centuries-old festivals like Ram Nawami will contribute to preserving Nepal’s ancient civilization, religion, and culture.
“I believe that cultural and historical festivals like Ram Nawami strengthen national unity by deepening mutual trust, goodwill, tolerance, and cooperation among our diverse ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and geographical communities,” President Paudel said in his message.
Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav also conveyed his greetings, expressing confidence that Ram Nawami will reinforce the ideals of truth, righteousness, and dignity exemplified by Lord Ram. He encouraged everyone to take inspiration from Lord Ram and commit to the nation’s unity, prosperity, and progress.
“Ram Nawami is not just a festival, it is a sacred occasion to connect our lives with the ideals of Shri Ram,” he said. “May all be inspired to move forward with virtuous actions and strong resolve, as Shri Ram did.”
To mark the festival, the federal government has declared a public holiday across the country today. -- RSS
