Rama Navami:The birth day celebration of lord Rama

The birth day celebration of lord Rama is performed on the ninth day of the light fortnight of the month of Chait (April, in which the initiative is taken by the Rama temple, as in the case of Vivah-Panchmi. From the first day of the light fortnight of Chaitra i.e. Pratipada, the Sanyasi pilgrims are provided free food and accommodation by the authorities of the Rama temple and this continues up to Navami. Usually 200 maunds of rice, 100 maunds of chura (flattened rice), 10 maunds of wheat flour and about 100 to 150 maunds of curd etc. are distributed among the ascetic pilgrims during these days, who visit Janakpur from far off places of Nepal and India.

As the Dandi ascetic pilgrims are welcomed and entertained by the authorities of Rama temple, similarly the Vaishnava and the Bairagi ascetics are received by the authorities of Janki temple and they are also provided free food and lodging
during these days. On this occasion, however, the owners of the different kutis at Janakpur also come forward and accom­modate the various types of pilgrims in their respective kutis and provide free food as well as other facilities to them.
On this occasion of the birthday celebration of lord Rama, both the main temples of Janakpur viz. the Rama temple and tbe Janki temple are beautifully decorated on Navami. The Mahanths and other priests keep fast on that day and the pandits of the temples recite the vedic mantras from morning to evening. The recitation from the Rama chari! manas on
this occasion is very common feature at Janakpur.
During the Rama Navami feltival, the number of artis increases. However, on the Navami day the performance of arti attracts the pilgrims and it is commonly believed by the pilgrims that if one attends this arti, one gains much punya. Accordmg to a rough estimate, as prepared by Pandit Jibnath Jha (Saka 1883 : 24-25) about 4 to 5 lakh pilgrims assemble at Janakpur during Rama Navami.
During Rama Navami it has been observed that a few handful of rich Mabanths coming from India, organise Bhandaras (mass charity feats) in which thousands of pilgrims without any discrimination of castes and sects, are fed freely. The Bhandaras mostly take place on three days i.e. from Sap­tmi to Navami. Among all the Mahanths of India, the Mabanth of the Pacharhi-asthan, who belongs to the Rama­nandi Sampradai of the Vaishanavism, throws a lavish Bhandara to the devotees, pilgrims and ascetics for which be is very much admired by the local Mahanths and other authorities.
The Rama Navami fair, which starts from the Saptmi day, continues up to Purnima (full moon) day and thousands of temporary stalls are erected throughout the Janakpur kshetra.