Sri Rama Navami

Sri Rama Navami is widely celebrated throughout India with great joy and enthusiasm. 
Ramanavami 
is 
the
 day 
Lord 
Sri 
Rama 
was 
born,  in the month of Chaitra on Sudda Navami, Rama Navami is celebrated. The first day of Chaitra Masam is called Ugadi, the beginning of the year. This nine days festival is also called Vasanta Navratri. In southern parts of India, people do Sita Rama 
Kalyanam,
 which
 shows
 Rama
 and 
Sita’s
 wedding.

Legend:  King Dasaratha
 of Ayodhya was 
in 
anguish 
desire 
for
 a 
son, 
when Bramharshi
 Vashista 
told 
him
 to 
perform
 a 
Puthrakameshti 
Yagam.
 And at 
the 
final
 stage
 of 
the
 Puthrkameshti,
 Lord Visnu himself appeared from 
the fire
 
and
 gave 
payasam to  Dasaratha.  
Dasaratha
 gave 
that
 
to
 Koushalya, 
who
 shared 
half
 with 
Kaikeyi.
 Then 
both
 queens
 shared 
half 
of 
their 
payasam with 
Sumithra. 
After that 
Koushalya
 gave 
birth
 to 
Rama, 
Kaikeyi 
to 
Bharatha 
and 
Sumithra 
had 
two 
sons,
 Lakshmana
 and 
Shathrugna.

Later, when King Dasaratha wants to do Rama Pattabhishekam but Kaikeyi interrupted him and sends Rama to the woods. All these had happened for the destruction of evil and negativeness from the world. Rama kills Ravana, the demon (asura), and reinstate prosperity and peace.

Eka Sloki Ramayanam: 

Adhuv Raama Tapovanaadi Gamanam Hatva Mrugam Kaanchanam

Vaidehiharanam Jatayumaranam sugrivasambhashanam

Vaalinigrahanam Samudrataranam Lankaapuridahanam

Paschadravana Kumbhakarnanidhanam Hetarthi Ramayanam

Significance of Rama Navami:

According to the ancient religious texts, Rama Naam is considered as Tarak Mantra. Ra syllable is Agni beejam and Ma syllable is Amruta beejam by combining the both as Rama, which surely destroys one impiety or wickedness and gives liberation to the soul. Meditating on Lord Rama and chanting his name is believed to lead to the effortlessness of life and moksha, it is believed that listening to the story of Rama cleanses the soul.  It is a regulation for every devotee to observe the Ram Navami Vrat, because the Rama Navami Vrat is considered to be one of the five most important Vrata in ancient times, for gaining happiness in the material world and achieving salvation.  People observe fast for nine days, from Ugadi to Rama Navami.

The main objective of fasting is to seek perfection as a human being. In some temples Chariot procession also performed with idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuma.  People chant the holy name of Rama, perform puja, and sung bhajans throughout the day. In northern parts of India, Ramacharita Manas of Tulsidas also recited in temples. The most significant and popular event of the Vasanta Navratri celebration is Ramayana Parayanam.

Therefore, with this celebration of Rama Navami, we must nurture the qualities of Rama (Maryada Purushottam) and one must succeed in life towards enlightenment.