Udaipur

Welcome back y'all!

Let's start with some basic information before I tell you all another story about Navratri. Udaipur is known for preserving traditions and cultures and having festivals create a traditional, classical-time feeling. What I mean is the way the festivals are celebrated mirror the celebrations that used to happen during the reign of kings and queens. The festivals are grand and were typically celebrated brought the people of the city to king's palace. Udaipur is referred to as the "City of Lakes" or the "Kashmir of Rajasthan." The city is steeped in history of kings and queens who once hosted grand celebrations at the various palaces to bring together dignitaries of India and treat the commoners. Navratri holds a special place in the hearts of all residents in Udaipur. This festival allows them to come together and put on performances to please the gods and goddesses as well as enjoy the act themselves.

Here in Udaipur any place you go you will find a Ramlila performance happening. Ramlila is the story of Ram from birth to the death of Ravana. Wondering how the story relates to Navratri? The last day of Navratri is referred to as Dussehra referring to the 10th day of Navratri and also the destruction of evil.

These performances happen all over the city including at temples, palaces, common gardens, and even on the streets. Ramlila is typically performed in open areas and the relevant verses are being sung by a chorus. Ramlila includes both dancing and singing! During the nine days, people reenact parts of the Ramayana to teach the young and please the gods. This is another form of worshiping the defeat of evil, in addition to the dandiya raas we encountered in Ahmedabad. How in the world does Ram relate to dandiya raas?...Well, this goes back to the triumph of good over evil, as when Durga defeated Mahishasura, similarily Rama defeated Ravana and saved Sita.

Let's head over to where I will be playing the role of Ravana in the Ramlila taking place at Lake Palace!

I can hear Sita praying to the gods to help her let Rama know that I have brought her to Lanka. Oh, what a silly woman...she has no idea what I am capable of. Rama shall not discover that I have taken her until it is too late. Time is of the essence. Sita must agree to marry me soon even if my wife, Mandodari, does not like it. I shall wage a war with Rama if he attempts to take my Sita. The sun is starting to become clouded in the early afternoon. This is not a good sign. I run to Ashok Vatika, the gardens in which I have kept Sita safely away from the many wondering eyes. She is alright but I spot a monkey jumping back into a tree and Sita watching his departure.

Sita’s eyes demand that I ask who that was, but I knew better. She truly did underestimate my capabilities if she thought I would not know who that was. The great ruler of all monkeys and the loyal servant of Rama, Hanuman had just graced my gardens.

A war is coming. I can feel it in my bones. My soldiers are ready. They will destroy Rama. I can hear Sita pray for the gods to protect Rama and his brother Lakshmana. They have no chance against my army and they shall die at my hands. I have the boon of the Shiva, for no one is a greater follower of his than me. My insistent wife keeps praying that I listen to her and not go into battle, but this is my pride. I am going to fight to keep Sita. It pangs me to see Mandodari crying, but I must go to battle for I am Ravana and I shall destroy Rama.

I underestimated Rama for he has demolished my army of hundreds of thousands of men. I charge towards Rama, but my arrows are no longer a match for his. I know my death is near, but it is not over just yet. Foolish Rama thinks I will die from one beheading. I can see his astonishment as my other nine heads remain and I am still on my feet. Every weapon I send his way is becoming useless for he has the gods on his side. One by my heads are falling to the ground. The pain is increasing in my chest and there is only a little time before I die. At least I am dying at the hands of the mighty Lord Rama. The earth shall swallow me after my death, so that I may hold up the earth with my strength. My brother shall rule over Lanka in due time and Sita will go back to Rama and be happy…

Ravana’s beheading symbolizes the destruction of evil at the hands of Rama.

Our next stop is Himachal Pradesh, India!

Frequent Flyer,

Traveling MansPants

Author's Note: I wrote this as if I were actually part of the Ramlila. Watching the Ramlila is like watching any other play, but choosing to tell the story from the perspective of the actors allows people to learn more in depth rather than just touching over the scenes. Ramlila is based upon the story of Ram's life leading to the beheading of Ravana. In the original story of Ramlila they begin with how Ram was born and all the different events in his life. Some include getting married, being exiled, and the encounter with Ravana for getting Sita back. The events I portrayed relating to Sita's capture and retrieval are very similar to the original story with a few alterations. I chose to give Sita a bit more of a dominant role in her encounters with Ravana. Ramlila is based on the Ramayana and any act relating to it is said to have positive outcomes, since Ramlila is a way to please the gods. This reenactment is a continuation of the idea of good versus evil, the surrounding idea of Navratri. A spinoff of the story of Ramlila was created in a movie version called Ram Leela. Although Ramlila has more of a Romeo and Juliet type of story line and not really based on the Ramayana, the underlying message is of the triumph of good or evil still exists. I attempted to keep this post a combination of a traveler’s blog and a storybook that will help people learn about the different aspects of Navratri!