Ramayana

AI-drafted · awaiting admin review

The story of Bhagwan Shri Ram: duty, devotion and the victory of dharma. It is told in every Indian language and across Asia.

Source: Valmiki Ramayana (Adi Kavya, the first poem); retold in Kamba Ramayanam (Tamil), Ramcharitmanas (Awadhi), Krittivasi Ramayan (Bengali) and many more

Festivals

Ram Navami
Vijayadashami (Dussehra)
Deepavali
Ramlila (UNESCO)

The lesson

Maryada (right conduct), loyalty, courage and devotion, shown through Shri Ram, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata and Hanuman.

Prince Ram of Ayodhya accepts fourteen years of exile to keep his father's word, and Sita and Lakshmana go with him. In the forest, Ravana, king of Lanka, abducts Sita. With Hanuman, Sugriva and the army of vanaras, Ram builds a bridge across the sea (Ram Setu), defeats Ravana and returns to Ayodhya. Lamps lit to welcome him are remembered at Deepavali.

The Ramayana shaped Indian ideas of the ideal king (Ram Rajya), the ideal family and devotion. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya was consecrated on 22 January 2024.

Sources