Various city mandals and temples have been preparing for the past few weeks to mark the birth of Lord Ram
In order to celebrate the birth of Lord Ram on April 4, devotees in the city have been planning meticulously and preparing for a few weeks now. Various temples and mandals across the city celebrate the festival of Ram Navami with great devotion and fervour.
For the past 18 years, the Shriram Mitra Mandal in Dongri has been taking out a procession in the area and celebrate the festival for two days.
Speaking about the preparation for the festival, Mayur Karanjawkar, president of the mandal, said, "On the day of the festival, we start early with the traditional aarti and offer prayers. There are many cultural activities that take place during the day. A day before Ram Navami, a procession is carried out in the area. Every year, we also felicitate the National Bravery Award winners from Maharashtra."
Sri Sankara Mattham at Matunga observe the festival as Chaitra Navaratri by organising religious ceremonies like havan and chanting of vedic scriptures. They will conclude their celebrations on April 5 with abhishekams (bathing) of Sri Adi Sankara with holy waters.
On the day of Ram Navami, devotees participate in the abhishekam of the lord and his consort with milk.
While in another Matunga-based temple the celebration begun on March 11 itself. The 80-year-old Asthika Samaj also known as Ram Mandir has been celebrating the festival as per traditions. The idols of Lord Rama with his consorts Sita, Laxman and Maruti are kept in a Swarna mandapam.
Speaking about the celebration, Sunder Ramakrishnan, secretary of Asthika Samaj, said, "We will be carrying out the procession in Matunga's small lanes. The temple is decorated with flowers and on the day of Ram Navami, a community lunch is organised in which any devotee visiting the temple is offered food as prasad. The celebrations which began in March will conclude on April 5 followed by Aanjaneya Utsavam on April 6."
Ram Mandir at Wadala will be celebrating their 52nd year by organising a nine-day festival. The idol of Lord Ram is carried around in a procession. Devotees sing and dance to traditional bhajans.
More than 300 residents from the area volunteer to help the management. Ulhas Kamat, secretary of Ram Mandir, Wadala, said, "Devotees from different states like Goa, Karnataka and rural parts of Maharashtra visit the temple during the festival. While the celebration starts from Gudi Padwa, different batches of devotees chant Lord Ram's name non-stop till the festival of Ram Navami concludes."
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