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Rama Lakshmana Dwadashi is a Hindu observance dedicated to the worship of Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana.
Celebrated on the 12th day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in certain months, devotees perform rituals and prayers to seek their blessings for protection, strength, and prosperity.
Rama Lakshmana Dwadashi
Rama Lakshmana Dwadashi is celebrating on the twelfth day of the month Jyestha.
It is the following day of Nirjala Ekadashi.
As stated in Hindu mythology, there is a story behind Rama Lakshmana Dwadashi.
During the period of Treta Yuga, Ayodhya king Dasaratha wished for a son.
On the day of Dwadashi, he took fasting and prayed to Lord Rama by saying about his wish.
Lord Rama understood his feelings and on the next Chaitra Masa Navami day, Dasaratha’s wish was fulfilled and Lord Rama was born as his son.
According to Hindu belief, people who are suffering from a childless life will get happy news by conducting fasting to pray for a son.
One who wants to attain Moksha or liberation can pray to Lord Rama.
Devotees worship the sacred Tulsi plant as part of the ritual. Shodashopachara is another ritual conducted on the day of Rama Lakshmana Dwadasi.
The places of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are celebrating Rama Lakshmana Dwadasi.
The significance of this Dwadashi was emphasised by sage Vasishta to King Dasaratha.
On that day, special pujas and prayers are conducted as devotion to Sri Ram.
Devotees start fasting from sunrise to the next day sunrise.
Along with that, people are praying to Lord Vishnu, Sri Ram and Lakshman.
Significance of Rama Lakshmana Dwadasi
About Rama Lakshmana Dwadasi:
Dwadashi is the twelfth day of every lunar month, be that bright or Shukla Paksha or Krishna Paksha of every month according to traditional Hindu astrological calendar.
Dwadashi of all the month is said to be important for the worshipping of the sacred Tulsi plant.
Rama-Lakshmana Dwadashi is an extremely auspicious vrat or observance which is celebrated on the Dwadashi day.
The Rama-Lakshmana Dwadashi falls in the month of Jyestha, on the twelfth day of Shukla paksha, the day after the very effective Nirjala Ekadashi; according to traditional Hindu calendar.
Significance and Legend of Rama Lakshmana Dwadasi:
It is believed that in the times of Treta Yuga, the ruler of Ayodhya, King Dasaratha observed the Rama-Lakshmana Dwadashi and prayed for a son.
King Dasaratha’s prayers were answered as Lord Rama was born in the next year on the auspicious day of the Chaitra Masa Navami.
On this day, devotees keep a stringent fast to pray for a son and to attain moksha or salvation.
Sri Rama Puja is carried out on this day with Shodasopachara.
Devotees visit the nearby Vishnu temples to take part in the puja proceedings.
Rama-Lakshmana Dwadashi is also observed as Champaka Dwadashi in some parts of the country, as Odisha.
It is an important festival, which is celebrated in the Jagannath Temple of Puri.
It is an auspicious day and an important festival for the Utkala Brahmins and is celebrated as such with special puja and bhogs dedicated to Lord Jagannath.
Celebrations and Rituals:
Vrat rituals of Ram-Lakshman Dwadashi was first explained by Sage Vasistha explained to King Dasaratha who then made a firm resolution to perform the Vrat in the name of Maha Vishnu and the Lord Vishnu Himself incarnated as Shri Ram along with his accompanists Lakshmana, Bharat, and Shatrughna.
The rituals of the Vrat is to commence with Shubh Sankalpa and Ashtanga Puja.
This is followed by performing Kumbha Sthapana or Setting-up of Kumbha, Vastra acchaadana (covering with cloth) of Ram Lakshmana idol, worshipping with Shodasa upacharas (Sixteen Services) and charity to Brahmanas and needy people.
The outcome of the Vrata is self- evident.
The childless couple can have a child of immense virtue, valour, fame, and dignity as a result of this incomparable Vrat.
Moreover, devotees who partake in this auspicious Vrat would be blessed with all the happiness, prosperity and will get the access to Vishnu Loka.
Rama Lakshmana Dwadasi
Rama Lakshmana Dwadasi, also known as Ramalakshmana Dwadashi Vrat, is a ritual observed mainly in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and by certain Hindu communities in Tamil Nadu and other religions.
The fasting is observed mainly by couples for having healthy children. Rama Lakshmana Dwadasi.
The importance of the fasting was narrated by Sage Vasishta to King Dasharatha.
Legend has it that King Dasharatha who was childless performed the vrata and he had Bhagavan Srihari Vishnu himself taking birth as his son.
A fast is observed from sunrise to next day morning sunrise.
Prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu, Sri Ram and Lakshman.
Prayers and puja dedicated to Sri Ram are performed in the morning and evening.
Reading the Bala Kanda of Ramayana is considered meritorious.
Shodashopachara is done in the evening.
Devotees also visit temples dedicated to Sri Ram or Lord Vishnu.
Fruits, milk, sabudana khichadi and water are allowed during the fast.
The vrat is mainly performed by married couples for having healthy children.
Those couples having trouble in conceiving perform the fasting to get blessed with children.
The day is observed as Champaka Dwadasi is Odisha and it is an important day in the Puri Jagannath temple.
The ritual is performed on Jyeshta Shukla Paksha Dwadasi – the 12th day during the waxing phase of moon in Jyeshta month.
Ramalakshmana Dwadashi
Ramalakshmana Dwadashi is the event of Hindus related to Krishna Paksha.
This is the only festival on which the Plant of Tulsi is worshipped.
The Tulsi plant is decorated with green and yellow lights, and Puja is offered.
People offer Ashirwaat to the Tulsi plant to fulfilling their wishes.
This festival is also arranged in the Jyeshtha. Hanuman is worshipped on this day by the event worshippers.
Vishnu temples are also decorated to celebrate this day, as Bhog is presented to people as a charity activity there.
Celebrations related to Ramalakshmana Dwadashi
The event celebrators take a bath and move to the Vishnu temple to worship Shiri Vishnu, the avatar of Vishnu.
Sri Ram is also worshipped there, along with Lakshami idols.
For worshipping the gods mentioned above, their idols are taken to the temple, or people make art of them and display them on Mander walls for worshipping them.
These arts are decorated with flowers.
Puja activity is also performed along with prayers by various methods.
Today’s most used method for offering Puja to gods is flowers of the Champa category in the hands along Diya.
After the Puja ritual, a recitation ceremony is started in which various Manters are recited.
The most recited Manter on this festival is Keerthan which is recited in front of Lakshmi and Rama idols.
At the end of all rituals and worship, Kichdi is divided among all worshippers, taken as Bhog.
The fast offering person breaks fast with it and takes it to homes for God’s blessings and wealth.
Rama Lakshmana Dwadashi
Rama Lakshmana Dwadashi is the Vrat observed on the day next to Nirjala Ekadashi. It occurs on the Shukla Paksha Dwadashi of Jyeshta month
The exact duration of the Dwadashi Tithi has to be ascertained from the respective regional calendars.
Legend
This Vrat is mostly observed by the married couples for getting healthy progeny.
As per the legend, King Dasharatha had observed Vrat on the next day of Nirjala Ekadashi praying to Sri Maha Vishnu.
He had observed this Vrat as advised by the Sage Vasishta.
Bhagwan Sri Vishnu Himself was born to Dasharatha as four sons.
Hence this Vrat is thereafter called as Rama Lakshmana Dwadashi.
Rituals
The rituals are similar to Ekadashi Vrats. It starts from the sunrise and lasts upto the sunrise of next day morning. Special Pujas are done to Sri Vishnu especially Sri Ram with Sri Lakshman.
At the Puja place at the home, the idol or picture of Sri Ram and Sri Lakshman is kept.
It is decked up with flowers.
Lamps and incense sticks are lit.
Pujas are done mostly using champa flowers and Thulasi. Chandan and Kumkum are applied to the idol / picture.
In some places, Kalash also is kept at Puja place as per family tradition.
Slokams and Keerthans are recited.
Reading and reciting of Bala Kanda of Sri Ramayana is considered auspicious.
In the evening, Shodapachara Puja is done to Sri Ram.
Some couple observe complete fasting.
However, partaking of water, milk, fruits and sabudana kichdi are permitted for those who cannot follow complete fasting.
Other names
At Orissa, this Vrat is observed as Champaka Dwadashi and special prayers are done at Puri Jagannath temple.
The other name for this Vrat is Sri Raghav Dwadashi and Sri Rama Dwadashi.
Benefits
Making donation of ghee in a container is believed to bring in happiness, prosperity and all fulfillment of the wishes.
It is believed that observation of this vrat bestows virtuous benefits equal to donating thousand cows.
Sri Rama Gayathri
ॐ दाशरथाय विद्महे सीतावल्लभाय धीमहि तन्नो रामः प्रचोदयात्
om dhaasharaThaaya vidhmahae seethaa-vallabhaaya Dheemahi thanno ramah prachodhayaath
ॐ भरताग्रजाय विद्महे रघुनन्दनाय धीमहि तन्नो रामः प्रचोदयात्
Om bharatha-agrajaaya vidhmahae raghu-nandhanaaya Dheemahi thanno ramah prachodhayaath
ॐ भरताग्रजाय विद्महे सीतावल्लभाय धीमहि तन्नो रामः प्रचोदयात्
Om bharatha-agrajaaya vidhmahae seethaa-vallabhaaya Dheemahi thanno ramah prachodhayaath
ॐ रघुवंश्याय विद्महे सीतावल्लभाय धीमहि तन्नो रामः प्रचोदयात्
Om raghu-vaMshyaaya vidhmahae seethaa-vallabhaaya Dheemahi thanno ramah prachodhayaath
Sri Lakshmana Gayathri
ॐ दाशरथाय विद्महे अलाबेलाय धीमहि तन्नो लक्ष्मणः प्रचोदयात्
Om dhaasharaThaaya vidhmahae alaabelaayaa Dheemahi thanno lakShmanah prachodhayaath