Dear Editor,
Guyanese American Hindus and others celebrated Ram Naumi, the birth of Lord Rama, last weekend. Temples were packed to capacity in the greater New York area where hundreds of thousands of Guyanese of all religious and racial backgrounds are settled. There are some 50 Guyanese Mandirs in the NY area. There are also Guyanese Mandirs in Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, Atlanta and a few other cities where there are large clusters of Guyanese (as well as Trinidadians and Surinamese) Hindus. Hindus believe Lord Rama made his appearance (was born) on earth over five thousand years ago.
They celebrated with prayers and a feast. Devotees fasted (avoiding meat, fish and eggs) and visited temples and conducted prayers at homes. Many observed a strict fast for over two weeks. Fasting, the pandit explained, is good for the bodyand the soul. Many performed or sponsored pujas or Ramayana kathas (discourses) as is the custom in Guyana and the Caribbean. It was an extremely colourful ceremony, highly inspiring. Lord Rama murti was richly adorned with ornaments and malas and very colourful clothing. The holy ‘Ramayana’ was read and its lessons explained by the presiding pandits. Several pandits graced each temple. The temples were elaborately decorated with party favours (festooned with flags, baloons, and colourful electronic lights).
Devotees were well dressed in traditional garments. It was a solemn yet festive occasion. People prayed with devotion and intensity to attain the final beatitude of life through intense devotion towards God, invoking the name of Lord Rama for his blessings and protection. Ram Naumi, the birthday of Lord Rama is one of the more popular festivals of Hindus though not in the same category as Diwali or Phagwah. Every Hindu celebrates Ram Namu in India which is a national holiday.
Ram Namui culminates the fasting period for Hindus for the Spring called Navratri – one of the most auspicious periods for observant Hindus. Large crowds thronged mandirs for nine nights of religious observance and for the birth of the Lord. Hindus view Lord Ram as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. They believe that when the evil forces were out to destroy the world, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Lord Rama and made his appearance on earth to save the world and to re-establish dharma – righteous life.
Hence the reason for the propitiation of Lord Rama. Hindus believe that chanting Lord Rama’s name removes all the devotee’s sins and brings prosperity to them. Lord Shri Rama fulfils the wishes and desires of his devotees.
There were prayers in all of the mandirs on the occasion of Ram Naumi on Friday night, Saturday midday and on Sunday evening, continuing into Sunday. Navratriis an auspicious time for marriages or new undertakings. Just prior to Navratriis known as “Karwas” which prohibits marriages or poojas. At the mandirs, there was bhajan and kirtan singing. Elaborate vegetarian meals were prepared nightly for the celebration of the lord’s birthday similar to a party.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
