Ayodhya, Apr 14: Thousands of Hindu devotees gathered on the banks of River Saryu in Ayodhya to celebrate the festival of 'Ram Navami' on Monday.

'Ram Navami' marks the birth of Lord Ram, who according to legend, rid the world of the demon Ravan - the symbol of evil and is one of the most important festivals of the Vaishnava sect of Hindus.

Devotees swarmed the river bank to take a dip in the holy river in Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Ram, and offered prayers to mark the occasion.

Celebrations began with a prayer to the Sun early this morning. At midday, when Lord Rama is supposed to have been born, a special prayer was performed.

The devotees said that bathing in the Saryu River, would absolve them of all their sins.

"It is a belief that if people come here and bathe on the occasion of 'Ram Navami', they will be absolved of all their sins," said Narayan Tyagi, a devotee.

Devotees also celebrate the concluding day of the nine-day Navratra festival, which is dedicated to the Goddess Durga.

Chanting hymns and devotional songs, people thronged temples on the festive occasion.

In New Delhi, devotees could be seen at temples since morning.

The "Navaratri" festival is celebrated twice in a year – once in spring and the second time in autumn.

Hindus believe that their wishes will be fulfilled, if they pray to the Goddess Durga during the Navratra period. (ANI)