Sri Ramanuja Acharya Jayanti or simply Ramanuja Jayanti is celebrated to pay tribute to the South Indian philosopher Ramanuja Acharya. He was the one who promoted that worshipping Lord Vishnu is the only method that can help in attaining salvation (Moksha).
Ramanuja Acharya Jayanti falls in month of Chaitra and it usually falls on Thiruvathirai Nakshatra. This year, it will be celebrated on 9th May 2019.
Ramanuja Acharya was known to be the most knowledgeable and learned Acharya who always preached the philosophy and ethics of Vaishnavism.
How the day is celebrated:
The entire country worships Sri Ramanuja Acharya. On his Jayanti, the ‘Uthsava Murti’ or the statue of Sri Ramanuja Acharya is given a traditional holy bath.
Special prayers and offerings on the teachings of Sri Ramanuja Acharya are also held on this occasion in the temples and religious premises.
In Southern India, the followers of Ramanuja Acharya make special arrangements in Tamil Nadu to commemorate the day and make the celebration big. The houses are beautifully decorated for the day and devotees visit the temple to seek blessings from Shri Ramanuja Acharya on his Jayanti.
Significance of Ramanuja Jayanti:
Ramanuja Acharya taught and explained the principles of Advaita Vedanta. He supported Vaishnavism and travelled around the country to make people aware of the ethics and principles of Vaishnavism.
Ramanuja inspired the practice of Bhakti Yoga which focused on the importance of Bhakti (devotion) over meditation.
