It is celebrated at the end of Navratri, on account of which the date changes every year. Under the Hindu calendar’s month of Kartik, this festival will be observed on the 10th day of this month. In 2023 it falls on 24th October.

The Dussehra tithi 2023 begins at 5:44 p.m. on 23 October 2023 and ends at 3:14 p.m. on 24 October 2023. 

Why do we Celebrate in Dussehra? 

Dussehra is a Hindu festival that marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. It is also celebrated to mark the victory of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasur and end of Navratri. Dussehra or Vijyadashami signifies the victory of good over evil and as per the Hindu calendar, it falls on the tenth day of Ashwin or Kartik months.

Dussehra is primarily the celebration of victory of Hindu God Rama over demon Ravana, the king of Lanka. The day is observed with country-wide processions carrying statues of Durga, Saraswati, Ganesha, Lakshmi, and more to nearby rivers or oceans and immersing them.

Also, effigies of Ravana are burned symbolizing the victory of good over evil and celebrations are held by lighting fireworks. Also, Diwali or Deepavali festival preparations are started.

Dussehra 2023 Auspicious Timings:

Given below are the auspicious timings for the various rituals and dates associated with Dussehra: 

23 October 2023 from 5:44 pm: Dashami Tithi commences.

24 October 2023 from 1:58 pm to 2:43 pm: Vijay Muhurat.

24 October 2023 3:14 pm: Dashami Tithi closes.

Significance of Dussehra

Every year, the festival of Dussehra is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal. People across the country take part in the occasion in their unique style. It is the day when ten-headed Ravana was killed by Lord Rama. Vijayadashami is an auspicious festival in Hinduism and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Every locality of the country has its own uniqueness in the celebrations.

How do People Celebrate Dussehra?

The festival of Dussehra or Vijayadashami is celebrated differently in various parts of the country. While at some localities people engage in public processions, at some localities they take part in Ram Leela. Ravan Dahan is organised in a few cities. The most vital features of the festival include bursting crackers and feasting. Colorful exhibitions and fairs are organised on the occasion at many places in India. Moreover, people enact the entire Ramayana right from ten days prior to the festival of Dussehra. The celebrations remain the same during Dussehra holidays 2023.

Durga Puja Holidays 2023

Durga Puja is also referred to as Sharadotsav or Durgotsav. It is a yearly Hindu festival devoted to Hindu Goddess Durga. This festival is especially famous in Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura and Assam. It typically falls in the months of September and October according to Gregorian calendar. Durga Puja is a multi-day festival that features stage and temple decorations, arts and processions. The Durga Puja festival denotes the battle of goddess Durga with buffalo demon Mahishasura. Therefore, the festival signifies the triumph of good over evil.

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We also celebrate Navratri with delectable cuisines and dandiya, in addition to the worship of Goddess Durga. Potatoes, when it comes to vegetables in general, play a very important role on days when people are fasting. They may be incorporated into every meal of the day. If you are also looking for some vrat-friendly potato dishes for Navratri, here are ten recipes for you:

Navratri is a highly anticipated Hindu festival that enjoys national recognition. During this ornate nine-day festival, the divine feminine power Shakti is venerated. As per the lunar calendar of Hinduism, Shardiya Navratri occurs in the month of Ashwin. It will commence on October 15 and conclude with Dussehra on October 24 this year.

We also celebrate Navratri with delectable cuisines and dandiya, in addition to the worship of Goddess Durga. Observing the Sattvik diet, Hindus abstain from consuming onion, garlic, non-vegetarian foods, and other tamasik foods during this festival. Vegetables, fruits, buckwheat, chestnut flour, and sabudana are all essential components of Navratri meals.

Potatoes, when it comes to vegetables in general, play a very important role on days when people are fasting. They possess a sattivik quality and may be incorporated into every meal of the day. In addition to being rich in carbohydrates, this vegetable is also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that promote vitality and satiety during fasting. If you, too, are seeking potato dishes that are suitable for Navratri, consider the following ten recipes:

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Now, the PMC’s Solid Waste Management department has issued directives in this regard, stating, “Since we received a positive response from citizens regarding the immersion of eco-friendly Ganesh idols last year, we will build additional facilities such as artificial tanks at Visarjan Ghats.”

Asha Raut, head of the PMC Solid Waste Department, responded to the news by saying, “As in previous years, the PMC will focus on idol and nirmalya collection near the Visarjan ghats. To do so, we will construct more tanks than we did the previous year. The collected nirmalya will be converted into manure and distributed to farmers.”

This year, regional ward offices throughout the city will install a total of 568 steel tanks, compared to the 359 steel tanks constructed by the municipal body in 2018. During the annual festival, the PMC will construct 252 additional Ganesh Idol donation centers compared to the previous year. Additionally, the number of Nirmalya containers has been increased from 206 to 256, and authorities intend to construct 42 artificial water reservoirs near 22 distinct ghats.

According to sources within the PMC, the civic body had implemented mobile water tanks for immersion during the Covid-19 outbreak; nevertheless, the PMC may decide not to continue operating the facility.

“The severe Covid-19 criteria required the use of mobile water tanks as a makeshift method to facilitate compliance. On the other hand, it’s possible that we won’t keep using the facilities this year,” the official added while requesting their anonymity.

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Aside from that, the municipal government will deploy CCTV cameras close to all of the ghats and the Peth regions during the festival as part of extensive safety preparations that will be carried out in collaboration with the city police. Along with the PMC, the Fire Department will be involved in the arrangement-making process to ensure the best possible coordination.

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M Anapurna, a 67-year-old woman pilgrim from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, passed away on Monday at a hospital in Sonamarg, they said, adding that the cause of her death is still unknown.

A member of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) assigned to the Amarnath Yatra perished at Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir prior to the start of the pilgrimage.

Cardiac arrest, precipitated by low oxygen levels at high altitudes, is one of the leading causes of death among Amarnath pilgrims and security personnel stationed there.

In the first four days of the yatra, 54,714 devotees have had ‘darshan’ of the naturally-formed ice-lingam in the cave shrine, according to the officials.

Director General of the CRPF S.L. Thaosen evaluated the security arrangements for the yatra convoy along the pilgrimage route on Tuesday.

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“CRPF DG S L Thaosen conducted a comprehensive assessment of the security arrangements for the Yatra Convoy. The CRPF tweeted, “He inspected Yatri camps in @KOSCRPF and deployment on the national highway to ensure the maintenance of the highest safety standards and preparedness.”

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Vipassana, often known as “Insight,” is the practice of paying close attention to the present moment with an unclouded view. Depending on the context, samatha might mean either “concentration” or “tranquility.” It’s a mental state achieved by forcing oneself to concentrate intently on a single thing without letting the mind stray. When this is achieved, a profound peace settles over body and mind, an equanimity that can only be fully appreciated via direct experience.

Samatha is the central focus of most meditative traditions. The meditator concentrates on one thing at a time, whether it be a prayer, a specific box, a chant, a candle flame, an image of a deity, or anything else. The meditator enters a blissful condition that lasts till the end of the sitting period. It’s lovely, important, and irresistible—for a little while. The second part, insight, is what Vipassana meditation is all about.

In Vipassana meditation, the practitioner’s focus is used to chip away at the barrier of delusion that has been keeping him from experiencing the vibrant light of reality. It is a progressive unfolding of ever-deepening insight into the nature of reality. Although it may take years of meditation, eventually the meditator will break through the barrier and find themselves in the presence of light. The metamorphosis is at an end. It’s called Freedom, and it lasts forever. All Buddhist paths ultimately lead to enlightenment. However, there are numerous ways to reach that destination.

Understanding the key differences between Vipassana and other forms of meditation is essential. There are essentially two styles of meditation discussed in Buddhism. They represent many facets of one’s cognitive abilities, behavioral patterns, or states of awareness. Vipassana and Samatha are their names in Pali, the language of the earliest Theravada texts.

Vipassana, often known as “Insight,” is the practice of paying close attention to the present moment with an unclouded view. Depending on the context, samatha might mean either “concentration” or “tranquility.” It’s a mental state achieved by forcing oneself to concentrate intently on a single thing without letting the mind stray. When this is achieved, a profound peace settles over body and mind, an equanimity that can only be fully appreciated via direct experience.

Samatha is the central focus of most meditative traditions. The meditator concentrates on one thing at a time, whether it be a prayer, a specific box, a chant, a candle flame, an image of a deity, or anything else. The meditator enters a blissful condition that lasts till the end of the sitting period. It’s lovely, important, and irresistible—for a little while. The second part, insight, is what Vipassana meditation is all about.

In Vipassana meditation, the practitioner’s focus is used to chip away at the barrier of delusion that has been keeping him from experiencing the vibrant light of reality. It is a progressive unfolding of ever-deepening insight into the nature of reality. Although it may take years of meditation, eventually the meditator will break through the barrier and find themselves in the presence of light. The metamorphosis is at an end. It’s called Freedom, and it lasts forever. All Buddhist paths ultimately lead to enlightenment. However, there are numerous ways to reach that destination.

Buddhist Meditation in its Earliest Form
Vipassana is the Buddhist meditation technique with the longest history. The technique is taken verbatim from a discourse attributed to the Buddha, the Satipatthana Sutta [Foundations of Mindfulness]. Mindfulness or awareness can be developed directly and gradually via the practice of Vipassana. The process takes years and is carried out in discrete stages. The focus of the student’s efforts is shifted to an introspective investigation of many areas of his own life. The meditator learns to become increasingly aware of his own unfolding life.

The practice of Vipassana is non-aggressive. However, it is extremely comprehensive. It is a set of mental exercises aimed at increasing one’s awareness of one’s own life experience, and it is both old and formally organized. It involves paying close attention, looking carefully, and testing thoroughly.

Our sense of smell sharpens, our sense of touch expands, and our awareness of the nuances of these sensations grows. We learn to pay attention to our internal dialogue without becoming immersed in it. Learning to recognize the truth of the transience, unsatisfactoriness, and selflessness of phenomena is the goal of Vipassana meditation.

We mistakenly believe that we are already engaging in this practice. It results from our being so unaware of the constant flow of our own experience that we might as well be asleep. We aren’t paying close enough attention to realize that we’re not. It’s a Catch-22 yet again.

Insight through Meditation
Mindfulness helps us see behind the facade of the ego and into the true nature of our being. The reality of life finally hits us. It’s not all smiles and clapping and rewards and scoldings. It’s all in your head. If we take the time and make the effort to look, though, we will find that life has a lot richer texture than that.

Mindfulness practice known as Vipassana can help you see the world in a new light. For the first time, you’ll understand what’s going on in your life and how you fit into it. It’s an exercise in introspection where you actively investigate your own life by observing and taking part in it as it unfolds.

Ignore all I’ve been taught, I say. Put aside your preconceived notions, biases, and categorizations.
The following mindset is required for successful practice: “Forget what I have been taught. Put aside your preconceived notions, biases, and categorizations. The meaning of life is something I’m eager to discover. I’m curious as to the nature of being alive. I’m not satisfied taking someone else’s word for the meaning of life; I want to understand it for myself. I really need to witness it firsthand.

You will achieve your goals in meditation if you approach it with this mindset. You’ll start to take a dispassionate, outsider’s view of events, seeing them for what they really are: a series of shifting, ever-changing moments. Then, life takes on an indescribable depth that defies words. This is something that can only be understood by direct experience.

Vipassana and Bhavana
Insight meditation is known as Vipassana Bhavana in the Pali language. The word bhavana has its origins in the Sanskrit root bh, which meaning to develop or change. Therefore, Bhavana means “cultivation,” and it is always associated with the mind when employed in this context. Bhavana refers to training one’s mind. Vipassana originates from two sources. Passana refers to the act of seeing or gaining insight. The prefix “vi” is loaded with multiple meanings. Essentially, it means “in a unique manner.” And there’s the double meaning of “into” and “through.”

Definition: To see something clearly and precisely, to recognize its parts as separate, and to see through to the core in order to grasp its essential nature. This method of investigation yields knowledge of the inspected object’s essential nature. Vipassana Bhavana, when taken as a whole, refers to mental training for the purpose of developing the kind of perception that yields wisdom and comprehension.

Theravada Vipassana Meditation is a Related Topic.

We believe that this is the same approach that was taught by Gotama Buddha to his disciples. The Buddha’s initial lecture on mindfulness, the Satipatthana Sutta, instructs practitioners to first pay attention to their breathing before moving on to other physical and mental experiences.

We’re just sitting here, observing our nostrils. At first glance, this seems like a completely bizarre and pointless process. Let’s look at the rationale for this first, then get into the specifics.

Focusing on what’s most important
Our first inclination could be to wonder why we need to employ a focal point at all. After all, our goal is to raise consciousness. Why not just sit there and pay attention to whatever thoughts come up? There are, in fact, meditations along those lines. Sometimes referred to as “unstructured meditation,” these practices are notoriously challenging.

The mind can be deceiving. The process of thinking is inherently convoluted. That’s what we mean when we say that we get stuck in our own thoughts. The chain reaction begins with a single idea and continues on to the next and the next and the next. Fifteen minutes later, we snap out of it and discover we’ve been daydreaming, having a sexual fantasy, worrying about our money, or anything else the whole time.

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The breath is our focal point. It’s like a magnet that pulls your thoughts back to it whenever they wander off. A focal point is required before anything can be considered a distraction. That’s the lens through which we may examine the constant shifts and disruptions that are inherent to our everyday thought processes.

Intimidating Elephants
Meditation is compared to taming a wild elephant in ancient Pali writings. Once an animal was trapped, it would be tied to a post with a sturdy rope. The elephant is unhappy when you do this. There are days of screaming, trampling, and pulling at the rope. The realization that he is trapped eventually dawns on him, and he relaxes.

You can now safely feed him and handle him to a certain extent. You can educate your elephant to perform a variety of chores without ever having to tie it to a post or rope. You have successfully tamed an elephant and may now put it to good use.

Cognate: Respiration

The elephant represents your overactive mind; the rope represents our object of concentration; and the post represents our breathing. The result of this procedure is a mind that has been educated and focused to the point where it can do the extremely difficult work of seeing through the fog of illusion that obscures truth. Mindfulness meditation makes the mind more manageable.

What’s the Point of Taking Air in?
The next logical inquiry is why one would focus on breathing as a central object of meditation. Why not try to come up with something more exciting? There’s no single correct response to this question. A good meditative focus should be something that helps you become more present in the moment. It must be reasonably priced, readily accessible, and lightweight. And it shouldn’t make us feel any of the negative emotions—like greed, anger, or delusion—that we’re trying to get over.

All of these conditions are met by breathing. Everyone on the planet suffers from it. It’s something that everyone always has on them. It is free and readily available to everyone from the moment of birth till the moment of death.

The act of breathing is one that does not require any sort of conceptualization or analysis on the part of the observer. In addition, it is a dynamic process, an ever-evolving facet of life. Breathing occurs in rhythmic cycles that include taking a breath in and then releasing it. This makes it a microcosm of the living world.

All living beings share the experience of breathing. Having a first-hand appreciation for the procedure increases one’s sense of oneness with all other forms of life. Your underlying oneness with all existence is revealed. The act of breathing, in the end, takes place in the here and now.

Finding your breath is the first step in meditating on it. What you’re after is the actual, palpable experience of breathing in and out through one’s nostrils. This is the area typically found inside the nose’s tip. However, depending on the individual’s nose profile, the precise location differs.

Take a big breath in and focus on the spot within your nose or on the top of your nose where you feel the air moving through the most. Now, let your breath out through the exact location you felt it coming in. From this vantage point, you can trace the entire respiratory cycle.

Sometimes Difficult
Expect to run into several problems as you begin this process. Your thoughts will buzz like a bumble bee and dart in all directions at once. Don’t fret too much. The concept of “monkey mind” is widely known. It’s an issue that every master meditator has faced at some point. They overcame the challenge in some way, and you can, too.

When this occurs, simply acknowledge that your mind has been wandering. Without getting angry or criticizing yourself for wandering, gently but firmly bring your attention back to the bodily experience of breathing. Repeat this process the following time, and the time after that, and the time after that.

Vipassana meditation is essentially a method of reprogramming the mind. Total, unbroken awareness in the present now is the state you’re going for. This means being aware of everything happening in your own perceptual universe as it happens.

This is an extremely lofty objective that will not be completed overnight. We’ll start off slow and work our way up. We begin by focusing our full attention on a very little period of time—our very first breath. And if you do, you’ll open up a whole new world of possibilities for yourself.

The post What Exactly Is Vipassana Meditation? appeared first on Republic Aeon.

Notably, the Gazette notice to add Kapileshwar Temple to the ASI list of Protected Monuments was published on May 5. The decision was made to improve the structure’s maintenance and preservation.

Priests of the temple and locals have also expressed their approval of the decision.

Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sadangi tweeted, “In my office in Bhubaneswar yesterday evening, I thanked Minister @kishanreddybjp for including KAPILESHWAR TEMPLE on the ASI list of protected monuments and requested that KHANDAGIRI- UDAYGIRI CAVES be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

Sadangi urged Union Tourism Minister Kishan Reddy to designate the caves of Khandagiri and Udaygiri as “world heritage sites.”

Sibaram Malia, the chief priest of Kapileswar Temple, lauded the efforts of Aparajita Sadangi and the Union minister, stating, “Due to the negligence of the state government, Kapileswar Temple has been severely devastated in numerous locations. During the ASI survey, a portion of the temple’s architecture was again emphasized. Consequently, this Temple will now entice more tourists to Bhubaneswar, just as the Lingraj Temple does.”

The Kapileshwar temple, which dates back to the 5th century and was renovated by Gajapati Kapilendra Dev in the 14th century, is renowned for its exquisite carvings and beautiful architecture, which are instances of the centuries-old tradition of Indian temple architecture.

The Kapilesvara Temple exemplifies the Kalinga architectural style, which is known for its elegance and simplicity. It is a well-known tourist destination that draws tourists and devotees from India and around the globe.

The temple serves as a reminder of the region’s rich history as well as the people of Odisha’s deep religious and cultural origins.

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The Kapilesvara Siva temple, also known as the ‘Kapilesvar temple’, is one of the earliest still-standing temples in the Indian state of Odisha. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva under the name Kapilesvara. It is located in Kapilprasad, approximately one kilometer from the Bhubaneswar Lingraj Temple, which dates back to the eleventh century.

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Thousands of devotees attended the flag-raising ceremony at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. During the raising of the flag, the temple’s presiding deities, Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, were carried in palanquins with Goddess Piriyavidai.

A devotee named Sasikala stated, “Today, the Chitrai festival flag-raising ceremony was conducted at the Meenakshi Amman temple. The celebration will last 12 days at the temple. During the 12 days of celebration, we all attend the temple as if it were our home.”

Ticket registration for the darshan of Sundareswarar and Meenakshi Amman’s heavenly wedding began on Saturday on the temple’s website.

According to reports, the ‘nuptial’ will occur on May 2 from 8.30 a.m. to 8.54 a.m. at the Kalyana Mandapam on North Adit Street in Madurai. To witness the’marriage’, devotees are permitted unfettered access through the south tower.

“We have been waiting since this morning to witness the festival’s flag raising. We perceive Meenakshi Amman’s celestial nuptials as if it were our own. Another devotee, Savitri, remarked, “I am delighted to witness the flag-raising ceremony.”

Meenakshi Amman’s celestial nuptials and lord Kallaghar’s entry into the Vaigai River are the central events of the Madurai ‘Chithirai’ festival.

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During the Meenakshi celestial wedding, numerous women exchange thalis (mangalsutra) and pray for the Mangalya to be strengthened. It is believed that unmarried individuals who observe or participate in the Meenakshi celestial wedding will soon marry.

The post TN: ‘Chithirai’ festival flag-raising at Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple appeared first on Republic Aeon.

The conference is being organized by the Union culture ministry and the International Buddhist Confederation.

“India is the cradle of Buddhism and the Buddha’s homeland. Therefore, it is our responsibility to showcase our Buddhist history and heritage to the global world… and this conference is in line with the country’s and the current government’s vision,” stated Union culture minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday. Given its extent, the Prime Minister will preside over the conference’s opening.

Reddy stated that the conference is being organized by the Union culture ministry and the International Buddhist Confederation. He stated that the conference is culturally significant and will also foster closer diplomatic ties.

“The delegates will discuss today’s most pressing global issues and look for answers in the Buddha Dhamma that are based on universal values,” Reddy said.

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He stated that renowned Buddhist priests will travel to India and participate in the conference for the first time. “…discussions will be held on utilizing Buddhist philosophy and thought to address contemporary challenges.”

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The Ramcharitmanas is neither a word-for-word transcription nor a condensed version of the Valmiki Ramayana. Ramcharitmanas contains elements from numerous other Ramayanas written in Sanskrit and various Indian dialects, as well as tales from the Puranas.

A Brief Description of Tulsidas and His Ramcharitmanas

Tulsidas was born on the Saptami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan (July or August) in Rajapur, Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna. (also known as Chitrakoot).

His paternal grandparents were named Atmaram Shukla Dubey and Hulsi Dubey. According to legend, Tulsidas spent one year in his mother’s bosom.

Tulsidas was born with 32 teeth; he did not weep and instead spoke the name Ram, so his childhood name was Rambol.

Tulsidas refers to the epic Ramcharitmanas as Rama’s story, which was stored in Shiva’s mind (Manasa) and then narrated to Shiva’s wife, Devi Parvati.

Tulsidas asserts that he learned the tale from his guru, Narharidas. Tulsidas was a naive child, and the narrative was preserved in his mind (Manasa) for a considerable amount of time before he penned Ramcharitmanas.

Consequently, the epic is also known as Tulsikrit Ramayana. (The Ramayana composed by Tulsidas). The Ramcharitmanas is a vernacular literary masterpiece.

The Shri Ramcharitmanas

1. The Ramayana and the Ramcharitmanas are dissimilar.

Ramcharitmanas and Ramayana are two distinct Sanskrit and Awadhi versions of the Rama narrative. There are differences between them in terms of poetic technique, composition, and religious significance, among others.

Sage Valmiki is the author of Ramayana. It is regarded as Adi Kavya, or the first book of elaborate poetry. The Ramcharitamanas is based on the original composition of Valmiki. The great Awadhi poet Goswami Tulsi Das penned it.

Tulsidas compared the Seven Kandas or chapters to the seven steps that lead to Lake Manasa. Popular belief holds that a bath in Manasarovar, located near Mount Kailash, cleanses the psyche and body of all impurities.

2. Ramcharitmanas as the Bible of North India

It is not an exaggeration to state that Western scholars consider the Ramacharitmanas to be the North Indian Bible. This is because the work contains numerous spiritual and religious ideas. The patriarch of India, Mahatma Gandhi, frequently considered Tulsidas’ Ramayana to be more spiritual than Valmiki’s.

3. Seven Ramcharitmanas Kandas

Tulsidas wrote the work in seven Kandas, and they are termed Bala Kanda, Ayodhya Kanda, Aranya Kanda, Kishkindakand, Sundar Kanda, Lanka Kanda, and Uttar Kanda. The primary distinction between the Valmiki Ramayana and the Ramacharitmanas is that Tulsidas titled the sixth chapter Lanka Kanda rather than Yuddh Kanda.

4. The Composition of Ramcharitmanas

Ram appears 1,443 times throughout the Ramcharitmanas. The term Sita appears 147 times in Ramcharitmanas, while Janaki appears 69 times. Baidehi is mentioned 51 times, while Temple is mentioned 35 times.

Similarly, there are 27 verses in the Ramcharitmanas, 4608 in the Chopai, and 1074 in the Doha of the Ramcharitmanas. This epic’s shortest chapter is Kishkindhakand, while the longest is Balakanda.

When he composed Ramcharitmanas, Tulsidas was 77 years old. Tulsidas began writing it in 1574 and completed it two years, seven months, and twenty-six days later in 1576. Also considered an incarnation of Maharishi Valmiki is Tulsidas. In a dream, Lord Shiva inspired him to write the Ramcharitmanas.

5. Ramcharitmanas Details

According to Ramcharitmanas, Pushpak Vimana traveled at a pace of 400 miles per hour, the war between Rama Team and Ravana Team lasted 87 days, and the war between Ram and Ravan lasted 32 days.

Similarly, it took five days to construct a bridge across the ocean to reach Sri Lanka. Lord Ram stayed in Lanka for 111 days, and Sita stayed in Lanka for 435 days. Sarama served Sita in Ashok Vatika while she was in Lanka. Sarama is the daughter of the monarch of the Gandharvas, Shailush, and the consort of the king of the asuras, Vibhishana.

Also read: Ram Navami 2023

6. The Story of Shurpanakha

Vidyujjihi was the spouse of Shurpanakha, Ravana’s only sister. For some reason, Ravana killed Vidyujjihi. She then mentally cursed Ravana that he would perish because of a woman.

After becoming a widow, Shurparnakha became autocratic, so Lakshman severed her nose on the orders of Shri Ramchandra.

7. The truth of Ravana

Ravana was the monarch of Lanka, but Kuver, Ravana’s half-brother, was the genuine ruler of Lanka. According to Ramcharitmanas, Kuver was also a devotee of Shiva; Shiva, delighted with Kuver’s penance, bestowed upon him Lanka, which Ravana would later conquer in the course of their conflict.

Ravana was a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. Ravana severed his cranium and offered it to Shiva as a sign of his penance. Lord Shiva, moved by Ravana’s devotion, granted Ravana ten heads; hence, Ravana is also known as Dashanan. (the one with ten heads).

8. Sri Ram had a sister as well.

Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughan were four siblings, and Shanta was their older sister. Shanta was the eldest daughter of King Dasharatha and Kaushalya, but King Dasharatha gave her to King Rompad of Angadesh when she was a child for unknown reasons.

Shanta was reared by King Rompad and his childless wife Varshini, who jokingly requested a child during a visit to Ayodhya. Shanta became the heiress of Angadesh when King Dasharatha kept his word.

9. The Story of Meghnath

Meghnad is featured in the Ramcharitmanas. He was the son of King Ravana and Mandodari. His name means “one whose speech resembled thunder,” and he was renowned for his exceptional combat abilities. Meghnad was the most formidable warrior in Lanka’s army, and his valor was dreaded. He even defeated Indra, the monarch of the gods, to earn the name Indrajit.

He was cursed to be slain by the individual who hadn’t slept for 14 years. Since Lakshman had not slept for fourteen years, he is also known as Gudakesh. Meghnath was therefore slain by Lakshman.

10. Tulsidas Vision

In a number of his works, Tulsidas claims to have had direct visions (darshan) of Lord Hanuman, Lord Rama-Lakshman, and Shiva-Parvati.

During his travels, Tulsidas encountered a devotee in Kashi who provided him with Hanuman’s address. After having seen Hanuman, he was granted a vision of Lord Rama. However, when Lord Rama granted Tulsidas darshan, he was unable to recognize him.

Lord Rama visited Tulsidas once more on the day of Mauni Amavasya, and this time Hanuman assisted him identify Lord Rama.

Ramcharitmanas in Contemporary Times
During his commencement address at Nalanda Open University, the former education minister of Bihar, Chandra Shekhar, asserted that the Ramcharitmanas can propagate hatred in society. He stated that it is one of the religious texts containing questionable statements about Dalits and Backward people. Despite the fact that Gita Press of Gorakhpur asserts that the Ramcharitmas is a sacred text that should not be replaced, it has been selling large quantities of the Hindu epic. (more than 7 crores pieces).

Both the Ramayana and the Ramcharitmanas have achieved great significance in the lives of Hindus worldwide. The theory of karma, reincarnation, Advaita-Vedanta, brahmana, jiva, Maya, and Isvara is the most significant aspect of the Ramcharitmans. Ramcharitmanas spread the story of Ram to every home.

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Supposedly, Lord Ram was conceived on this date. On this day in Treta Yuga, Lord Ram was born to alleviate the suffering of his devotees. This birth date of Lord Ram is mentioned in all scriptures, including the Ramayana and Ramcharit Manas.

In accordance with religious beliefs, the worship of Sita Mata, Lord Lakshman, and Lord Bajrangbali in along with Lord Ram occurs on the day of Ram Navami.

On this day, devotees offer special petitions and worship. Some devotees also make charitable contributions on this day.

Ram Navami is commemorated with great zeal and devotion by Hindus around the globe through special prayers, pujas, and processions. On this day, people visit temples, perform puja, and perform acts of worship.

According to Drik Panchang, Lord Ram was born during the madhyahna period, in the middle of the day, which is the most auspicious time for performing puja rituals and lasts for six ghatis (approximately two hours and twenty-four minutes).

People celebrate the birth of Lord Rama, who is believed to have been born to bring peace and prosperity to the world, with great enthusiasm and devotion.

The birth of Lord Ram, who is revered for his righteousness, compassion, and wisdom, is commemorated on Ram Navami. This festival is celebrated globally by all Lord Ram devotees and adherents.

Chaitra Navratri commemorates the birth of Lord Ram, who was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya. On this day, devotees recite passages from sacred texts such as the Ramayana and Shrimad Bhagavatam.

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