Telugu 1st statesman greets on "Sri Rama Navami" 12/4/2011

Bhadrachalam wears a festive look

Chief Minister to take part in Srirama Navami festivities today

The Bhadradri temple in Khammam district illuminated as part of Srirama Navami celebrations. Constructed by great devotee Sri Bhakta Ramadas(Gopana). When he was imprisoned by the Nizam of Hyderabad for using money from the treasury and later was set free by the 'very Lord Rama' himself. He attained 'Mukthi and Moksha' by being given the divine darshan of Rama and Lakshmana. Bhakta Ramadas has scripted innumerable Telugu devotional songs and poems in prise of Lord Rama.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy has conveyed his greetings to the people on the eve of Srirama Navami here on Monday. He will leave for Bhadrachalam on Tuesday and participate in the ‘kalyanam' of Lord Rama and His consort Sita. He will present silk clothes and ‘Mutyala talambralu' (pearls) as a tradition on behalf of the State government.

Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu in his message wished that Lord Rama would bestow all round happiness to the people who celebrate the occasion with devotion and gaiety. Legislative Council pro tem Chairman Singam Basava Punnaiah also greeted people on the occasion.

Sri Rama Navami

is dedicated to the memory of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who took birth to destroy the demon King Ravana and to uphold Dharma, or righteousness. The story leading up to the birth of Lord Rama is described in the great epic known as Ramayana. King Dasharath of Ayodhya had no male heir so the sage Vasishta suggested that he perform a ritual fire ceremony. At the end of it, the king received a bowl of payasam , a sweet milk pudding. He gave a portion to each of his three wives -- Kaushalya, Sumithra and Kaikeyi -- and they all conceived within a few days. Rama Navami commemorates the birth of Lord Rama to Queen Kausalya on the ninth day (Navami) of the first month on the Hindu calendar.

This day is also observed as the wedding day of Rama and Sita (an incarnation of Lakshmi). In Hindu temples, a marriage celebration is performed with small murtis of Rama and Sita, and at the end of the day the deities are taken on a procession in the streets. Readings of the sacred Ramayana continue throughout the night. Lord Rama is referred to as Maryada Purushottama, which means the "Ideal Man" or the Lord of Dharma. He is revered for his courage and unbending adherence to duty, an example of the ideal son, husband and King; and is the embodiment of truth and morality.