Delhi/Allahabad/Chandigarh, Oct 23 (ANI): Rama Navami, marking the birth of Lord Rama, is being celebrated across the country on Tuesday.
On this occasion, special prayers were offered at various temples across India with grandeur and festivities, which also marks the end of the nine-day long fasting and Navaratri festival.
Locals in Allahabad witnessed a colourful procession organised by a leading Ram Lila (a dramatic folk re-enactment of Ramayana) committee of the city.
The vice-president of the organising committee, Basant Lal Azad, said that the procession was a majestic spectacle with tableaux that depicted scenes from the Hindu religious book, the Ramayana.
"Millions of people congregate to see the procession, carrying the idol of Hindu Lord Rama in a palanquin. This is organised to worship Lord Rama," said Azad.
In the procession, Hindu Lord Rama and Ravana, the mythological demon-king were seen seated on a colourful chariot
Devotees also thronged the temples in New Delhi since dawn with offerings of sweets, flowers, and fruits. The temples were lit with decorated lamps for the day.
"We have to wait for hours but still people come in large numbers to offer prayers. All their wishes are fulfilled," said Manju Sharma, a devotee.
According to the Hindu legend, Rama was born as an incarnation of Vishnu (a part of the divine trinity of Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara - creator, protector, and destroyer).
It is believed that Rama was born to eradicate evil from the earth. His saga is depicted in the Ramayana scripture.
Rama Navami falls on the ninth day of the moonlit fortnight in the Chaitra as per Hindu almanac.
Similar celebrations were witnessed at Chandigarh where the locals also offered prayers at the temples.
"Today is Navami and it is ninth day of Navaratri and therefore, I have come to seek the blessings of goddess. Whenever we come all our wishes get fulfilled," said Shalendra, devotee.
Devotees in a temple of Hindu goddess Kali in Kanpur city of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state fasten locks to ask for a wish and open those after the prayers are answered.
Pillars in the temple, which is more than 500 years old, are covered with numerous locks with the wishes of the devotees locked inside.
Locals believe that after the goddess fulfils their prayers, it is important for them to take the lock out from the temple.
The nine days of Navaratri reflect the nine manifestations of goddess Durga. In India's eastern states of West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam, this festival is celebrated as Durga Puja whereas in north India, it is known as Dussehra.
Dussehra will be celebrated this year on October 24. (ANI)