Shree Ram Navami

Ramnaam can wipe out the gravest of the sins!

The legend of Prabhu Ram and the sacred chant of Ramnaam are the very heartbeat of Bharatvarsha. Every part of the Ramkatha, from His divine birth in Tretayuga to the moment He overcame Ravana in Lanka, has been lovingly narrated, sung and cherished in every corner of India. ShreeRam is revered as the 'Maryada Purushottam,' the embodiment of righteous conduct. For millions, He stands as a guiding light, showing how faith, clarity and noble action can shape a life of purpose.

Importantly, Sadguru Shree Aniruddha has time and again explained the transformative power of Ramnaam. He says, “Ramnaam can wipe away the gravest sin; it can uplift even the most fallen person and guide him back to the right path.” In his sacred work 'Ramrasayan,' Sadguru Bapu has portrayed the journey of ShreeRam right from His birth in such a heartfelt manner that Shraddhavans find the story truly unfolding before their eyes.

It is this profound significance of ShreeRam and Ramnaam that makes Ram Navami such a cherished festival for devotees. Celebrated as the birth anniversary of Prabhu ShreeRam, it is one of the most auspicious occasions in the Hindu calendar.

Prabhu ShreeRam was born on the Shuddha Navami of Chaitra, the ninth day of the Chaitra Shubhankara Navratri. On this sacred day, hearts naturally turn towards purity, gratitude and devotion.

Every year, the divine land of India celebrates this Utsav with great fervour. Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Trust, Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation, and associated organisations host the Ram Navami Utsav in an atmosphere filled with devotion and joy. A sea of Shraddhavans gather to experience the blessings of this sacred day.

The Utsav of Ram Navami begins at 8:00 am with the arrival of the Deepshikha, which is brought from Sai Niwas to the Utsav venue. The holy fire of ‘Shree Sairam-Sahastra-Yagya’ is ignited with ‘Deepshikha’. Shraddhavans can offer ‘Aapatti-nivaarak Samidha’ to this yadnya.

The Sacred Ceremony of Ramjanma

The highlight of the Ram Navami Utsav is the celebration of Shree Ram's divine birth (Ramjanma), which takes place in the afternoon. As guided by Param Pujya Sadguru Shree Aniruddha, Shraddhavans lovingly sing the traditional lullaby, "Kuni Govind Ghyaa, Kuni Gopal Ghyaa," while gently swaying the cradle of the newborn Bhagwan. This is followed by the Namakaran Sanskar (naming ceremony), during which the sacred Name "Shree Ram" is ceremonially announced.

Thereafter, Sunthavada—a traditional preparation made from sugar and powdered ginger—is distributed as Prasad. Shraddhavans are then blessed with the darshan of the cradle and the symbolic representation of baby Ram placed within it, allowing them to participate in and rejoice at the divine advent of Maryada Purushottam Shree Ram.

Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu during Ram janma in the year 2013

Renukamata Poojan

During the Utsav, Renukamata’s Taandala (the sacred stone adorned with a moorti of the Goddess’s face) is worshipped. Upon Her arrival at the utsav venue, the Taandala is first worshipped at the entrance and then welcomed inside amidst the resonant sounds of Mangalvaadya (auspicious traditional instruments) and devotional chants. Once installed at the venue, Renukamata is offered Shodashopachara Poojan and Sahastradhara Abhishek. Thereafter, Her Aarti is performed with the heartfelt prayer that devotees may be blessed with Renukamata's loving grace and protection, just as Bhagwan Parashuram was blessed by His divine mother.

Worship of Shree Ramvardayini Aadimata Mahishasurmardini

Shree Ramvardayini Aadimata Mahishasurmardini is worshipped during the Ramnavami Utsav. The story of how Mahishasurmardini acquired the name 'Ramvardayini Durga’ is mentioned in the Ramayana. A vivid description of the same can be read in Matruvatsalya Vindanam, the Grantha penned by Sadguru Shree Aniruddha. ‘When the war between Lord Shree Rama and Ravana became more intense and fierce, at that time, Hanuman instructed Lord Rama to chant Adimata’s ‘Ashubhnashini Stavanam’. Later, at the stroke of midnight, Ashtadashabhooja Mahishasurmardini manifested on the battlefield and blessed Lord Rama, proclaiming, ‘May Lord Shree Ram be victorious!’ True to the blessing, Lord Rama, indeed, triumphed, killing Ravana. Aadimata, who then assumed the form of Tripuramba Mahishasurmardini, granted the boon, 'Ramo Rajamani Sada Vijayate' and slowly disappeared. Owing to this boon, Ramnaam became the Taarak (Saviour) Mantra, a mantra that salvages you, and this form of Mahishasurmardini is revered as ‘Ramvardayini Durga’.

Shraddhavans eagerly and reverently take darshan of Shree Ramavaradaayini, who is Maa Mahishasurmardini, experiencing divine blessings and spiritual upliftment. — **Shraddhavans eagerly and reverently take darshan of Shree Ramavaradaayini, who is Maa Mahishasurmardini**

Shree Sai Saisatpujan

The Saisatpujan is also a part of the Ram Navami Utsav. Shree Saibaba had entrusted three sacred items — Rudraksha mala, Trishool and Shaligram to Shree Hemadpant, the author of Shree Sai Satcharita. These items are brought from Sai Niwas and following this worship, ‘Shree Ghorkashtoddharan Stotra’ is chanted throughout.

Bapu perfroming Sai-sat poojan at Shree Ramravami utsav 2016

Shree Sainath Mahimna-Abhishek — A Blessing for Every Family

Shraddhavans also perform the Shree Sainath Mahimna-Abhishek on the Shree Sai Sadashiv idol. Each devotee is offered the chance to do a symbolic Pujabhishek. It is believed that this Abhishek supports the well-being of every family member, especially children.

Shree Sai Mahimna Abhishek

Talibharan — The Offering of Love and Gratitude

Tali Bharan (literally, "filling the sacred platter") is a cherished traditional ritual performed as an expression of devotion and gratitude towards one's beloved deity. It is a sacred offering through which devotees seek the Lord's blessings for the well-being, prosperity, protection and continuity of the family lineage.

During the Ramnavami Utsav, the atmosphere comes alive with the resounding chants of "Raksh Raksh Sainath, Shree Sairam" and the auspicious sounds of traditional instruments as Shraddhavans lovingly participate in the Tali Bharan. By offering the sacred Tali, devotees not only seek Sai Baba's blessings but also earn the spiritual merit of Anna-daan (the offering of food).

Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu performing 'Talibharan' amidst the powerful chants of ‘Raksh Raksh Sainath,' ‘Shree Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai,' and ‘Ude Ga Ambe Ude.'

Ramnaam Mantra Chanting and the Sacred Exchange of Bukka

At the venue, the mantra ‘Om Ramay Rambhadray Ramchandraya Namah’ is chanted continuously throughout the day. Here, Shraddhavans, while chanting the mantra, apply abeer or bukka, on each other’s forehead and do namaskar. A Shraddhavan applies bukka to another Shraddhavan, considering him to be the form of Pundalik, who was a great devotee of Lord Vitthal, whereas the Shraddhavan, on the other side, to whom the bukka is applied, considers the hands of Shraddhavan applying bukka to be the hands of Pundalik. This beautiful tradition reflects the profound faith and devotion shared among the Shraddhavans.

Sai Satcharita Adhyayan Kaksha

At the Utsav, a dedicated section called the Sai Satcharita Adhyayan Kaksha, also known as the Adyapipa Kaksha, is set up for the collective reading of one chapter from Shree Sai Satcharitra.

Aadyapipa (Shri. Sureshchandra Vaidya) was a devout follower of Shree Sainath and an ardent Shraddhavan. For sixty years, he performed four full recitations of Shree Sai Satcharita annually, completing them on Ram Navami, Gurupournima, Janmashtami and Dussehra, respectively. The assurance from Chapter 11 — “You will attain oneness with the lotus feet of ShreeRam (अखंड राम लाधाल)” truly became the reality of his life. Every Shraddhavan entering this Kaksha reads the Sai Satcharita with a similar determination to cultivate the same steadfast devotion.

Shraddhavans come together to read one chapter of the Shree Sai Satcharita collectively. This divine practice in ‘Sai Satcharitra Adhyayan Kaksha’ or 'Adyapipa Kaksha', is a heartfelt tribute to Shri. Pandurang Dattopadhye, affectionately known as 'Aadyapipa'

The Completion of the Utsav — Returning Home with a Sankalp

As the day nears the end, the Sairam Sahastra-Yadnya concludes and the Maha-aarti marks the completion of the Ram Navami Utsav. Every Shraddhavan leaves with a renewed heart, carrying the determination to live by the Aniruddha ‘Pledge of Honour’:

“My Ram will wage war,
Self-sufficient Dattaguru is the Origin, the Basis.
A soldier, I am a Vanar in word and in deed,
Ravan will die, yes! he will.”