April 1, 2012: The Supreme Personality of Godhead incarnated Himself as Sri Rama,
appearing as the son of His pure devotee Maharaja Dasharatha, the King
of Ayodhya. Lord Rama descended along with His plenary portions, and all
of them appeared as His younger brothers. In the month of Chaitra on
the ninth day of the growing moon in the Treta-yuga, the Lord appeared, as usual, to establish the principles of religion and to annihilate the disturbing elements.
On the day of Rama Navami, devotees fast till noon. At ISKCON Bangalore, the Deities of Krishna Balarama are adorned with the alankara
of Sri Rama and Lakshmana. Lord Krishna is dressed as Rama and Lord
Balarama is dressed as Lakshmana. Both are grandly decorated with
ornaments, earrings, crown, a bow and a quiver of arrows.
Festivities begin in the evening with the Rama Taraka homa. During this homa, the Rama Taraka mantra is chanted 108 times. All the devotees rejoice in ecstasy by performing enchanting kirtanas from Valmiki Ramayana.
On this occasion, they also remember Sri Hanuman, the foremost devotee
of Lord Rama and his unparalleled devotional service to the Lord. They
also pray to Sri Hanuman, so that he may bless them with advancement in
devotional service.
