Sri Ram Mandir

Manifestation

The formless Supreme Being (Brahman) has eternally manifested as a triad of three couples, of which Vishṇu represents the Divine role as the Lord, Preserver, Sustainer of the bounteous creation which is represented by His consort Lakshmī. Vishṇu takes on incarnations (Avatāra) frequently on the earth, often with Lakshmi, to destroy evil and re-establish Dharma.

One such prominent Avatāra is that of Shrī Rāma, and His spouse Sītā. Rāma took birth as the eldest of the four sons of King Dasharatha of Ayodhyā, (India) and married Sītā, the adopted daughter of King Janaka of Mithila in Nepal. Rāma’s younger brother Lakshmaṇa was the incarnation of Sheṣha (or also had a portion of Vishṇu) and the earthly exploits of the three were first recorded by the pre-Buddha saint Sage Vālmīki in the famous Hindu epic, the Rāmāyaṇa, composed in Sanskrit. After their worldly deeds were over, they returned to their earlier Divine abodes and states, but continue to manifest and bless their true devotees from time to time. In this way, although Rāma and Sītā appeared as Avatāras in ancient history, they are also eternal.

Physical Attributes

• In temples, Rāma Parivar (family) is seen with Rāma in the middle, Sītā to His left, and Lakshmaṇa to His right.
• At their feet is present Rāma’s devoted helper Hanumān, who is also worshiped as a Deity.
• Like Vishṇu, Rāma is painted in a blue color reflecting the all-pervading nature of Vishṇu and wears yellow clothing and other royal ornaments.
• He carries a bow and a quiver, because He was an extremely proficient warrior who killed numerous evil demons to fulfill the purpose of his Avatāra.

Qualities

• Rāma is regarded by Hindus as an exemplary person whom we should imitate.
• He was an ideal, obedient son; a loving elder brother; a royal who showed grace and gratitude towards his subjects; and an ideal King who cared for his subjects as his own dear children, and whose reign saw extinction of poverty, famines, and disease.
• He was a brave warrior who defeated mighty evil enemies despite great odds stacked up against him due to his stratagem, bravery, fortitude and nobility.
• Sītā was an extremely devoted wife who lived her life with great dignity and chose to give up royal comforts to accompany her husband to the forest.
• Once their exile was over, she again bore the injustice of being banished so that citizens would continue to have faith in her husband, who was now King. She raised their two sons ably and single-handedly and proved to be an epitome of sacrifice and loyalty.
• Lakshmaṇa and other younger brothers (Bharata and Shatrughna) set the model for the extreme respect and reverence that Hindus show towards our older siblings.

Ways of Worship and Types of Devotees

• The Rāmānandī ascetics, followers of Sant Rāmānanda (14th cent. CE.) constitute the largest order of Hindu ascetics and are spread all over North India. In historical times, they prevented Hinduism from collapsing in the region and in Pakistan under Islamic invasions by preaching in remote areas and even taking up arms as needed.
• Several major Hindu festivals are associated with Rāma and Sītā
  • Diwali: Celebration of the day on which Rāmā returns to Ayodhyā after a 14 year exile and marked by lighting of lamps and bursting firecrackers
  • Rāmanavamī: Birthday of Rāma on which devotees fast and recite the Ramacharitmānas of Sant Tulsidās non-stop overnight
  • Vijayadashamī or Dussehra: Commemoration of the victory of Rāma over Rāvaṇa. In the nine days preceding this festival, the entire story of the Rāmāyaṇa is enacted across North India by local actors and lay Hindus in a theatrical format.

Avatars of/Related to

Rāma appears from time to time to his pious devotees like Tulsidās (16th-17th cent.) and Tyāgarāja (18th-19th cent.) as a result of their worship to bless them.

Regions most worshiped

Shrines at prominent locations associated with Rāma and Sītā according to the Rāmāyaṇa are found all over the Indian subcontinent, like Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Nashik, Rameshvaram (all in India) and Janakpur (Nepal). The temple at the site where Rāma incarnated was demolished in 1528 CE and replaced by a mosque, which in turn was demolished by Hindus in 1992. The temple is yet to be rebuilt. Hindu migrants from India since the 19th cent. CE have taken the worship of Rāma through the Rāmacharitmānas to the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius and elsewhere.

The Plot of Rāma’s Biography

• The original biography of Rāma was composed by Sage Vālmīki who lived several thousand years ago. In subsequent millennia, the story has been rendered into numerous Indian vernaculars of which the version in Awadhi (and old Hindi dialect spoken in and around Ayodhya) called the Rāmcharitmānas by Tulsidas, Tamil version by Kamban and Telugu version by the potter-girl Molla are the most famous. The Ramayana was adapted by non-Indians in practically all countries east of Iran in Asia in their local languages and set into operas and various art forms. Thus, not only the Hindus but also Sikhs, Buddhists and even Muslims (of Indonesia) revere Rāma through their own versions of his story.
• In its original version, Rāma is the eldest son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhyā. He marries Sītā, the adopted daughter of King Janaka of Mithila (in modern Nepal). Due to his valor, human qualities and vast learning, he was to be crowned as the next ruler. But due to a palace intrigue led by his step mother, he is exiled into the forests of central and southern India for fourteen years. Rāma abides by the decision for the sake of his father and does not protest. His devoted wife Sītā and a younger brother Lakshmaṇa chose to accompany him in the 14 years of hardship. In the last year of their exile, Rāvaṇa, the evil King of Sri Lanka, kidnaps Sītā. In their search for her, the two brothers meet with Hanuman, and King Sugrīva with whose help they trace Sītā in her garden prison. Rāma organizes a massive army to construct a bridge across the ocean from India to Sri Lanka and invades the mighty kingdom of Rāvaṇa, who is killed after a tough battle. The exiles return to Ayodhyā in an aircraft, where Rāma is crowned the King, and he rules the kingdom with great justice and affection for his subjects.

Fascinating Facts

• The ancient capital of Thailand was called ‘Ayuthyā’ till it moved to Bangkok, and Thai kings still bear the royal title of ‘Rāma’. Indonesian Muslims proudly name their children after the characters of Rāmāyaṇā. The first Sikh Guru is said to have been Rāma’s descendant.
• When the TV Serial ‘Rāmāyaṇa’ was telecast every Sunday in 1980s, India would come to a standstill. People would perform worship before their TVs and trains would stop.

Other Popular Names

• Rāghava: Descendant of the famous King Raghu of the Solar Dynasty.
• Rāmachandra: Pleasing and gentle as the moon.
• Maryādā-Puruṣhottama: Best among men in practicing justice and proper conduct.

Popular/Well-known Prayers

The Rāmarakshā Stotra of Budhakaushika Muni is the most famous hymn for worshipping Rāma.