Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of god Ram, the seventh avatar of the deity Vishnu. Ram Temple is one of the oldest in Janakpur, built at the beginning of the 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa. One of the reasons why I travelled to Janakpur in April was because I had read that Ramnavami was celebrated with heritage performances like the Ramlila and mela (fairs). However, once in Janakpur, I was told that over the past years the ways in which festival was performed had changed and it was now mostly celebrated inside the temple, through pujas, music and prayers. Observing the devotees actions inside the temple, however, was important to understand the role that the temple and god Ram has in everyday life.
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