Sri
Rama is considered to be the perfect avatar of Lord Vishnu also known as
‘Maryada Purushottam’ (the perfect human) who sets an example for all humans regarding
how to follow their ‘Dharma’ with his unblemished character, virtue,
righteousness, strength, wisdom and values. The story of how Lord Rama killed
the evil demon Ravana, rescued his wife Sita who is considered an incarnation
of Goddess Lakshmi, and ruled for thousands of years in the ‘Treta Yuga’ forms
the epic ‘Ramayana’.
Rama
was the eldest son of King Dashratha in Ayodhya born after sacrificial prayers
and stories abound of how he brought joy and happiness as a child to all the
royal family and beyond becoming everyone’s favourite. The valour of Shri Ram
is depicted in his assistance as a young prince to Sage Vishwamitra in killing
the demons Mareecha and Subahu and their mother Taatika who were poisoning the
life of the sages. He won over the pious pure beautiful princess Sita’s hand in
marriage by winning the kings competition testing their strength on Shiva’s bow
and his charming courteous manners won hearts too. Despite being the rightful
heir to the kingdom of Ayodhya, Rama obediently, willingly and cheerfully gave
up the throne accepting instead a fourteen year exile to keep his father’s word
as given to Dashratha’s other wife Kaikeyi. Rama made this sacrifice with
utmost humility and accepted his future as did Sita who voluntarily decided to
accompany him and is also considered a role model in her ways and virtues.
In
exile, when Sita was abducted by the demon Ravana ruling Lanka, Rama with the
help of his brother Lakshmana and his most faithful devotee Hanuman went after
him and after a long battle defeated and killed Ravana displaying his
fearlessness, nobility and divinity throughout the journey. He returned from
exile to rule justly and fairly for thousands of years and this golden period
of his rule, ‘Ram Rajya’ is said to be most prosperous and fulfilling for his
people who lived happily and honestly under his reign. Lord Rama thus fulfilled
his duty for which he had incarnated on earth His strength of character was
tested when questions were raised by his subjects about the virtue of his
rescued wife Sita upon which he prioritised his people so that Sita was
separated from her husband and raised their two sons on her own. The divine
story of Ramayan provides inspiration and lessons to Hindus till date and
devotees ardently worship Ram and Sita as the incarnations of Vishnu and
Lakshmi together as SiyaRam along with Lord Rama’s faithful brother, Lakshman
and greatest devotee, Hanuman. Ram and Lakshman are often depicted with their
bows, Ram with Sita by his side are both showering blessings on devotees with
their hands and Hanuman is bowed in prayer to the God Avatar.
Festivals
Ram
Navami is the festival celebrating birth of Sri Ram usually occurring in
March/April. The festivities include a chariot procession depicting the life of
Lord Rama celebrating with fanfare the golden rule of Rama. The nine day period
prior to Ram Navami is celebrated as ‘Chaitra Navaratri’ marking the beginning
of the spring festival. Devotees also celebrate the wedding of Rama and Sita
marking the festive occasion.
Gudi
Padwa
The
first day of the Chaitra Navaratri is celebrated as ‘Gudi Padwa’ also known as
‘Ugadi’ considered to be a very auspicious day and considered the beginning of
the New Year in some Indian regions. On this day worshippers set up a ‘Gudi’
made up of a stick dressed up in a saree covered with a pot which is a homemade
symbol to keep out evil and bring good fortune into the home as some people
believe this day marks the end of Lord Rama’s exile while others consider it to
flag the time of the creation of the universe.
Dussera
and Diwali
The
largest celebration of the killing of the ten headed demon Ravana at the hands
of Lord Rama to mark victory of good over evil is on Dussera day at the end of
‘Sharad Navaratri’ which marks beginning of autumn and occurs in the latter
part of the year around October. Dussera is also celebrated as ‘Vijaya Dashmi’
when Rama also used his divine power and also strength bestowed by the Shakti
Devi to defeat and destroy Ravana. During the nine nights of Navaratri until
Dussera day, community theatre enacts the various aspects of Rama’s life
journey depicting his many qualities to remind and inspire people with his
heroic tales. This is known as ‘Ramlila’. Lord Rama is said to have returned to
his kingdom for his crowning ceremony in about three weeks or so after Dussera
day. All his subjects welcomed him decorating and lighting up their homes with
lights to celebrate his return and his victory and this celebration forms part of
the Diwali festival that is the festival of lights.
Hanuman Jayanti
The birth
anniversary of Hanuman (the most ardent devotee of Lord Rama who played a
central part in the epic Ramayana with his divine powers and ape like lineage)
is celebrated also in the Chaitra month around March/April. Hanuman is
considered to be very powerful and prayers to Hanuman the son of wind God are
said to provide worshippers the same strength and courage. He is also known and
worshipped as ‘Maruti’, ‘Bajrangbali’, ‘Mahavir’, ‘Anjaneyu’ and some other
names describing him as a saviour of people when they are in trouble.
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