Rama Navami and Namada Chilume

Lord Rama along with Sita, Lakshmana and his ever faithful Lord Hanuman. This is a picture from Lord Rama's coronation ceremony (Rama Pattabhishekam) Image courtesy: Wiki

Hindus worldover would celebrate today as Rama Navami which signifies Lord Rama's birthday and also the occasion of his marriage with his divine consort Sita. Rama Navami falls on the 9th day after the first New Moon in the Hindu Lunar Calendar, called as Chaitra Maasa Shukla Paksha Navami.

Lord Rama holds great religious significance amongst Hindus as he is called as The Most Ideal Man or Uttama Purushan. The life he lived and the virtues he practiced set an example for all mankind. Lord Rama is the 20^th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and as per scriptures, Lord Vishnu took this birth to set an example of ideal principles in a man.

You can read more about Lord Rama on Wiki.

And more about Rama Navami: here, here and here.

I do not know if it is a common practice across most communities but Tamils do prepare a special preparation called "Paanagam". Check this article for the recipe of Paanagam.

Talking of Lord Sri Rama, there is a place about 85 kms from Bangalore, near Tumkur, that has a mythological association with Lord Rama. It is called Namada Chilume. You need to get there via NH4 which goes all the way to Pune and beyond.

Namada Chilume has a mythological legend associated with it. Literally it means "Namam's Fountain" or you can say "Fountain of the Namam". Take your pick. It is a natural spring and is said to be the source of the river Jayamangali. As the legend says, Lord Rama was once roaming in these parts of the country. He was looking for water to make the paste for his namam and apply it on his forehead. He took one of his arrows and pierced the ground with its tip. And water started coming from that place. Therefore it was named nama-da chilume.

The place is esconsed within a well forested area where monkeys abound. You can also see a lot of deers roaming inside. Pics below have been clicked by my wife, also an avid photography buff!


The spring associated with the legend mentioned above.


A herd of deers grazing in the sanctuary.


A view of the green expanse that is Namada Chilume. Pic clicked en route to Devarayanadurga.

I will do a separate post on Reflectarium with pictures clicked at Devarayanadurga and Namada Chilume. Look for a post with a link to those pics.