Across India, the coronavirus pandemic is leading temples to issue advisories asking devotees to stay away. This social distancing is going to make the celebration of Ram Navmi difficult this year. This Ram Navmi is important, given that the apex court put an end to a decades-old title suit in November last year. Although this mela has always attracted huge crowds of devotees, this time it has acquired special significance as it is going to be the first event after the Supreme Court verdict. Delivering a unanimous judgement on a case has ended a decade-old battle old court battle between Hindus and Muslims over the ownership of the plot in question.
The annual grand mela on Ram Navmi is to be held on Chaitra Navratri from 25 March to 2 April. The mela this year added significance as it will be the first the Supreme Court paved the way for the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya. This year’s celebration will include shifting the idol of the deity Ram at Ayodhya from a makeshift tent to a fibreglass structure in a ceremonious inauguration of the temple’s construction.
Concerns raised by public health experts, that a huge crowd gathering at one place could pose a health risk to thousands of devotees, hold true. Festivals in India have always followed the principle of “unity in diversity” in the Country. They make us forget ill-will and communal hatred, and strengthen the feeling of oneness, leaving all malice aside. This year, despite social distancing, the festival is going to be celebrated, but not outside. The purpose of the festival has been shifted far away from celestial events. Keeping in mind the welfare of society, the government is cancelling the congregation, but it will definitely lead to the glories of Ram Rajya that will wipe fear, crime and greed from the society. We should have faith in God and celebrate our festival in our homes. As a rational citizen, it is required of us for the welfare of our society.
Be Indian, be human, be rational.
Happy Shri RamNavmi to all!