K.A.Viswanathan
Mumbai: The nine-day Sri Rama Navami festival culminated on Sri Rama Navami day on April 13. The festival commemorates the birth of Rama who is remembered for his prosperous and righteous reign. It is celebrated with great devotion across the nation and every region has its own regional significance attached to the celebration.
At the Asthika Samaj which is also called Sri Ram Mandir in Matunga in Mumbai, greater importance was given to the 9-day Garbhotsavam of Lord Sri Ramachandra. The idols of Sri Rama with his consorts are kept in a Swarna mandapam. On all days Vedic scholars were reciting Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam. On the Rama Navami day as part of the Ramrajya pattabhishekam, the idols were bathed with milk. On this day, once a year, devotees are allowed to participate in the milk abhishekam of the lord and his consort.
Another temple nearby Sri Sankara Mattham celebrated it as Vasantha Navaratri with religious functions like homam, chanting of Vedic recitation and concluded on the last day with abhishekams of Sri Adi Sankara with holy waters. Poornahuthi was also held on the Ram Navami day.
