Devotees take holy dip in Ganges on occasion of Ram Navami

Allahabad/Varanasi. Apr 1 (ANI): Thousands of devotees took a holy dip in the River Ganga on the occasion of Ram Navami, the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, across northern India on Sunday.

Ram Navami, also called 'Chaitra Navratri', falls in the Hindu month of Chaitra each year.

According to Hindu mythology, Ayodhya is the birth place of Lord Rama.

In Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad and Varanasi cities, devotees took bath in the sacred River Ganga, as they believe that doing so would wash off their sins.

"Today is Ram Navami-Lord Ram was born today. So we have come to take holy dip in Ganga after that we will pray and make donations," said Chandra Prakash, a devotee.

"We earn merits. We get happiness in this world and the other world also. We feel pleased while praying. The birth of Lord Ram is a very significant event," added Prema Mishra, another devotee.

The festival is also dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti in the spring season.

It also signifies the start of 'Vikram Samvat' that is the Hindu New Year. (ANI)