Spectacular Firework illuminates Ram Navami celebrations

Spectacular Firework illuminates Ram Navami celebrations

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, April 14, 2011: Sri Ram Navami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya of Ayodhya. In South India, the day is also celebrated as the wedding anniversary of Sri Rama and his consort Sita. The ceremonial wedding ceremony of the celestial couple is held at temples with great fanfare and accompanied by group chanting of name of Rama.

 

 

To commemorate this occasion, Vishwa Hindu Parishat, Bajrang Dal, and Sri Ramotsava Samiti Mangalore jointly organized a public three-day Ramotsava at Nehru Maidan which culminated on Wednesday April 13 night with Srinvasa Kalyanotsava (re-enactment of Rama-Sita wedding) and burning of the ten-headed demon Ravana’s effigy.

The programme began with a grand procession from Lord Venkataramana Temple, Car Street. Flocks of devotees partook in the Srinivasa Kalyanotsava, the marriage ceremony which was performed by Venkatesh Murty of Srivari Foundation Bangalore. ‘Ayodhya Nagari’, the name given to the venue was conceptualized to resemble Lord Rama’s palace.

Speaking on the occasion, the local MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, said the objective of the Ramotsava is to highlight the cause of building the Lord Rama temple at Rama Jamabhoomi and similar programmes are being held all over the country. “We should preserve our country’s heritage,” he said.

Jayaram Hande, general manager of Karnataka Bank participated as a guest. He observed that the country’s great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata should be taught to our children from a young age as this will sensitize them to the grandeur of our rich culture and heritage. Pradeep Pai, managing director of Hangyo Ice Creams urged the audience to inculcate awareness of culture and religion among the new generation.

Sri Yogananda Saraswati Swamiji of Kondevoor Sri Nityananda Yogashrama delivered benedictory address. Lakshmi Kumaran, deputy general manager of MRPL, Santosh Kumar Rai Boliyar, zilla panchayat member and Harish Punja, advocate, participated as chief guests.

Jagadish Shenava welcomed the gathering in the presence of Prof M B Puranik, Honorary president of Sri Ramotsava Samiti, Ramesh S, honorary advisor, and Jitendra S Kottary, president.

The programme concluded with a spectacular cracker show accompanying the ritual burning of Ravan effigy.