The Hindu festival that stayed with Visnu Das for life

2026-03-25 - 23:20

Rama Navami is filled with bhajan and devotional singing, as well as the recitation of the Ramayana. (Visnu Caitanya Das pic) KUALA LUMPUR: At age seven, Visnu Caitanya Das stood at the edge of a paddy field in Simpang Lima, a sleepy village near Parit Buntar in Perak, witnessing something he didn’t yet understand. He remembers watching a small temple transform into something luminous. What had once been quiet suddenly pulsed with life: people arriving in waves from nearby neighbourhoods, women arranging flowers, elders moving with quiet purpose, children weaving between them. The air carried the fragrance of incense and oil lamps, mingling with the aroma of freshly prepared food. Somewhere in the distance, a bell rang, and then another, until the entire space seemed to echo with chants of “Jai Shri Ram”. “I was captivated by the festive atmosphere, the chants, the rituals,” Visnu, now 65, shared with FMT Lifestyle. That day was his first encounter with Rama Navami, and, although he did not know it then, it marked the beginning of a lifelong devotion. For Visnu Caitanya Das, the Rama Navami celebration he witnessed when he was young left a lasting impression. (Visnu Caitanya Das pic) Today, thousands of devotees in Malaysia and around the world celebrate the festival commemorating the birth of Lord Rama, a central figure in the Ramayana – the very same festival that captivated Visnu as a child. Rama Navami celebrates the belief that the divine appears to restore balance, with devotees observing the day through prayers, fasting, and communal worship. “Rama Navami is a festival that truly comes alive in the communal experience – it’s as much about people coming together as it is about devotion to Lord Rama,” said Visnu, a Bhagavad Gita educator for over 30 years. He describes it as a shared rhythm that begins before sunrise and gathers strength through the day, as devotees decorate altars with marigolds and jasmine, prepare offerings, and move together with purpose. “Communal cooking and sharing food are central. Entire neighbourhoods contribute; there’s laughter, chatter, and an easy warmth,” he said, adding that it’s common to see “elders telling stories from the Ramayana to children, who listen wide-eyed”. The celebration commemorates the birth of Lord Rama. (Visnu Caitanya Das pic) For all its colour and energy, Visnu believes that Rama Navami is anchored in something far deeper. “The Bhagavad Gita states that whenever and wherever there is a decline in Dharma, the Lord descends to restore balance.” That is why the birth of Lord Rama, told in the Ramayana, still matters. Rama’s appearance, he explained, was not random but necessary – a response to a world overcome by injustice. But if there is one moment that captures what Rama Navami means to him, it comes not from a temple or pilgrimage but from his own home. When Visnu’s son was five, he watched a drama depicting Lord Rama’s pastimes during Rama Navami. “He became so absorbed in the story that he cried, expressing his desire to go to where Lord Rama is and be in his divine company,” Visnu recalled. “That moment deeply moved me, as it reaffirmed for me that Lord Rama’s presence continues to inspire and attract devotees, even the youngest among us.” Rama Navami is centred around food, devotional singing, and community. (Visnu Caitanya Das pic) Visnu’s own journey, too, has been shaped by encounters that make the divine feel immediate rather than distant. He remembers standing in Rameshwaram in India, where the story of Rama is believed to have unfolded, and sensing that “the pastimes of Lord Rama are still intact in these places”. In Bali, he found that same devotion to continuity, pointing to school recitations and dramatic performances that keep the story in motion. These days, his celebration has become quieter, more inward. “This year, I plan to focus on reading the Ramayana, reflecting on Lord Rama’s pastimes, and offering gratitude to my spiritual guides,” he said, naming the religious teacher A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as “the greatest blessing” in his life. Nevertheless, for Visnu, the essence of Rama Navami has not changed. “It helps us reconnect with spirituality, bringing peace, clarity and devotion in an otherwise chaotic world.”