In the Peshwa era, the rulers gifted the temple an intricate Ram poshakh (attire), which was then displayed to the public. This year, a special red pagadi made from zari, will be taken to the Rameshwar Mandir near Mandai at 11 am. The procession is scheduled to return within an hour, after which the Ram janam pujas will begin. Interestingly, Tulshibaugwale adds that as a tradition the pagadi is ripped apart by devotees. “They keep its pieces in their homes or place it close to their bodies in the belief that it will bring good luck,” he says. On Ram Navami, which sees almost a lakh devotees flocking to the temple, a small idol of Ram, called the Utsav Murti, is taken out in a procession for darshan, followed by a special palkhi in the evening.
The Pattabhis Hek Rahalkar Ram Mandir located near Shanipar Chowk has also made elaborate arrangements for Ram Navami. Prabha Rahalkar, trustee of this 168-year-old temple explains, “During Navratri, a special Pavaman (Vedic discourse) will be recited and the legend of Ram will be sung in a lyrical form. On Ram Navami, a number of rituals like bathing the Ram idol, covering it in new clothes and keeping it in a cradle are performed.”
A unique ritual followed by this temple is to offer food to a married woman and a Brahmin daily during these nine days. “We take the blessings of Ram before consuming any food and make basundi during these nine days,” adds Rahalkar.
“After Ram Navami -a day of fasting- we prepare Parna which consists of five sweets namely - puranpoli, shreekhand, kheer, basundi and gulab jamun. These are distributed amongst devotees,” says the trustee. Another sight to watch out for are the intricate Ram garments which are woven entirely from jasmines and other flowers.
To commemorate this day, the Bhikardas Maruti Mandir located off Bajirao Road, will also be organising various programmes. Pujari Amrut Dave explains, “We will be distributing grains and sweets throughout Navratri and will feed 700 devotees on the day after Ram Navami at the temple premises.”
Significance of Ram Navami
Ram Navami, the nine-day Hindu festival, celebrated in the month of April (Chaitra), signifies the day when Lord Vishnu took the seventh avataar and was born as Lord Ram to King Dasharath and Queen Kaushalya, with the purpose of destroying Ravan.
Thousands of pilgrims converge in the temples of Ayodhya and Pondicherry, two places closely connected with the events of the Ramayan, to participate in the Ram Navami festivities. Colourful processions are held, which comprise brilliant floats of Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman.
