Table of Contents
ToggleSri Rama Navami Asthanam - Chaitra Suddha Navami
The ‘Asthanam’ performed on the auspicious occasion of Sri Rama Navami will be celebrated on Chaitra Suddha Navami every year in the pious divine presence of Tirumala Lord Venkateswara Swami in Tirumala.
Sri Rama Navami falls on the ninth day (NAVAMI) of Sukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the month of (Chandramana) Chitra, which is the first month of the new year. It is celebrated as ‘Sri Rama Navami’ all over the world. Chanting the name of Sri Rama drives away all the evils and brings prosperity.
Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Lord Sri Rama in Treta Yuga, on Chaitra Suddha Navami as an auspicious day in the star ‘Punarvasu’ in ‘Karkataka lagnam’. Lord Rama was born to the royal couple King Dasaratha and Kausalya for their unstinting faith and devotion to Lord Vishnu in their sun clan. So Chaitra Suddha Navami became the holiest and a festive day.
On this day ‘Hanumadvahanam’ (Hanumantha Vahanam) will be performed to Lord Sri Rama in the four Mada streets in the evening. A band plays melodious musical instruments and moves along with the Vahanams.
Sathya and Dharma
Sri Rama is called Maryada Purushottama as He maintained Sathya and Dharma throughout his life. Sri Ramavatara gives a universal appeal to everyone and a symbolic representation of human values.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam in recent years has taken over important, famous, ancient temples in order to maintain and popularise the greatness of those temples.
It was an important coincidence that the T.T.D. has many famous Sri Rama Temples including Sri Rama Lakshmana and Sita vigrahams in the Sanctum – Sanctorum of Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple, Tirumala.
Consecration of the Idols
When Acharya Tirumala Nambi was giving discourse on the intricacies of Srimad Ramayana Saranagati at the foot of the hills (Tirumala) Alipiri (Adipuli) or under a Tamarind tree, a Bhakta of a great sage Viswambhara presented the idols of Sri Rama and Lakshmana to Acharya Tirumala Nambi in the presence of Bhagawad Ramanuja.
That Bhakta told Sri Sailapurna or Acharya Tirumala Nambi that the great sage wants the idols of Sri Rama and Lakshmana to be handed over to them due to vandalism by Muslims in the south. The arrival of Rama and Lakshmana was very unexpected at the time of Vibhishana’s surrender to Sri Rama during the discourse.
Acharya Tirumala Nambi and Bhagavad Ramanuja took both the idols to Tirumala and consecrated them with Sita.
Procession on Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam
Lord Sri Rama along with His consort Sita Devi, His inseparable brother Lakshmana Swami arrive at the 'Asthanam' in Sarvabhoopala Vahanam in front of ‘Bangaaru Vaakili’ (Golden Thresold).
Lord Hanuman also arrives at that place in a different ‘peetham’. The Asthana Mandapam seems to be a magnificent eye feast to the viewers.
The Asthanam is spectated by a great number of devotees, archakas, temple authorities. Later, grand worship to Lord Sri Rama will be performed and Naivedyam will be offered to Him. ‘Akshataaropanam’ will be followed thereafter.
Koluvu Seva
The holy book, the Ramayana which is placed at the feet of Lord Sri Rama will be given to the officials. According to the tradition, the birth episode of Lord Sri Rama will be recited beautifully and melodiously.
After that ‘Haarati’ is offered to Lord Sri Rama, Sri Jeeyar garu and the temple authorities will be duly honored. According to the courtesies of the temple and the Asthanam, sandal paste, ‘tambulam’ and 'prasadam' will be offered to the devotees who participate in the ‘gosti’.
Later, Lord Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Lord Hanuman arrive at Srivari ‘sannidhi,’ after the completion of the ‘koluvu’. This is the Asthana Utsavam’ of Sri Rama Navami of Tirumala.
