Happy Ram Navami!

Almost every Indian person I know has heard the story of Ramayana growing up.  Whether we read the story in Amar Chitra Katha books or whether we watched the TV mini-series or whether we were simply told the story by our parents and grandparents, we have all heard it.  We have listened to stories of Rama and Sita's wedding day, of their exile into the forest, of Sita's eventual kidnap and how Rama heroically fought Ravana to rescue her.  We have learned of the deep loyalty of Rama's brother Lakshmana, and of his most faithful servant, Hanuman. But before all of this happened, there was one very important day - and that was the day that Rama was born - and that day is celebrated today!

Ram Navami always falls in the Spring time and it is, essentially, Rama's birthday.  It is celebrated all over India, and as usual, there are some special food items that are made on this day.  I decided to list one (very simple) recipe for Rasayana, a light dessert that is usually made on Ram Navami.

Rasayana.  Different people make Rasayana in different ways.  In my house, it is made in this simple manner:

1. Cut up some bananas 
2. Add honey, jaggery (or sugar) and some coconut 
3. Gently mix it together (you don't want the bananas to get squished) 

In other homes, it may be made in a slightly different way with slightly different ingredients, but regardless, it is simple. 

I got this picture here.  Go there to see a very similar recipe.

If you want another prasada or dessert recipe for any Indian festival, check out my Ugadi Post for an easy Paisa recipe.

Regardless of what you eat on this day, Ram Navami is a special day where we celebrate Rama and his life.  He showed us how an ideal person should be in a very imperfect world, and I think that those are qualities that are more important than ever in this present day.  I wish all my readers a very happy Ram Navami and I'll see you back here on Monday!