Sunday, April 5 2009 was the day that our clocks were adjusted an hour back for daylight saving. It was also Ram Navami. Ram Navami is an auspicious festival on the Hindu calendar, celebrating the birth of Lord Shri Ram. The day falls on the ninth day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu lunar year and marks the beginning of summer. The Sun, Surya, is considered to be the progenitor of the Raghuvansh dynasty of which Shri Ram is a descendent. Midday, the hour when the sun is overhead and is at its maximum brilliance, marks the birth of Lord Ramachandraji.

Mission members got together at 11.15am with Br. Gautamji leading the way with prayers at the Chinmaya Dham. The altar was decked in light colours and garlands with a cradle next to it eclipsed with a veil. With the prayers over, lovely bhajans were sung with gusto till it was time to mark the auspicious moment of Ramachandraji's birth. Bells were rung; the conch was blown as the cradle was unveiled to reveal baby Ram. The morning was drawn to a close with aarti. Devotees then interacted over distribution of an array of prasad.

The eight days leading up to Ram Navami is usually marked by many with Akhand Paath, continuous recitals of the Hindu Epic, Ramayan. It is a time meant for us to contemplate and learn from Ram's life story which is one of perfect adherence to dharma despite the harsh tests of life. He is pictured as the ideal man and the reign of Ram as a King (Ramarajya) was a period of peace and prosperity. The Ramayana provides us with great insight into the virtues that we can aspire to cultivate within.