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The Uttar Pradesh government is yet to clarify if the annual Ram-Navami Mela in Ayodhya scheduled from March 25 would take place as per tradition amid an outbreak of COVID-19.
Ram-Navami Mela: Ayodhya and River Sarayu
- Rama Navami is a spring Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of lord Rama.
- He is particularly important to the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism, as the seventh avatar of Vishnu.
- The festival celebrates the descent of god Vishnu as Rama avatar, through his birth to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya.
- The most important celebrations on this day take place at Ayodhya.
- In Ayodhya, many take a dip in the sacred river Sarayu and then visit the Rama temple.
- The chief place of worship in Ayodhya is the site of the ancient citadel of Ramkot which stands on an elevated ground.
- Although visited by pilgrims throughout the year, this sacred place attracts devotees from all over India and abroad on Ram Navami day.
- The Sarayu is a river that flows through the Indian states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
- This river is of ancient significance, finding mentions in the Vedas and the Ramayana.
