Kathmandu, April 17
Today is the birthday of Maryada Purushottam Shree Ram. Also known as Ram Jayanti, Ram Nawami is considered the day when the light of truth and dignity prevails over untruth and darkness.
Ram Nawami festival is celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Nawami (the ninth day of the bright half in the month of Chaitra as per the lunar calendar).
It is celebrated to commemorate the victory of truth over evil and to the memory of Lord Ram. The festival celebrates the descent of Vishnu as the Ram avatar, through his birth to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya during the Treta Yuga.
The day is marked by Ram Katha recitals or reading of Ram stories, including the epic Ramayana which narrates the tale of Ram. Hindus visit a temple while others pray within their homes, paying homage to Ram.
Devotees have been thronging the temples and shrines dedicated to the Hindu god Ram throughout the country since the morning of today. Many devotees have thronged several Shree Ram Temples in Kathmandu valley, including Battisputali to pay homage to Lord Ram.
Devotees have also thronged the Ramjanaki temple in Janakpurdham to offer prayers.
