2018-10-18 Thu

The oldest epic in the form of poetry, the legendary Ramayana depicts the story of Lord Rama- an avatar of Lord Vishnu, an ideal man, and an able King. But other than him there is also one other powerful character painted in dark light; his Intelligence and knowledge is overshadowed by his one wrong deed. This is none other than the mighty Antagonist of Ramayana ‘Dashanan' or Ravana.

This son of a Brahmin Sage Vishrava and Rakshasa Princess Kaikesi was called Ravana meaning one with the mighty roar. According to the legends, he was born in Bisrakh village today in Uttar Pradesh. The people in this village don't celebrate Dussehra like all over India but they pray and mourn for the death of this Demon king.

The Kanyakubja Brahmins of Ravangram village in Madhya Pradesh give daily Naivedyam (offerings) in Ravana Temple. The Dave Brahmins of Jodhpur originally from Gujarat claim to be the descendants from Ravana and perform Shraddha (funeral rites) of Ravana on Dussehra. They have also erected a temple of Ravana in Jodhpur.

He is worshipped as a revered devotee of Lord Shiva in Great Noida and Kainada (Andhra Pradesh). He is depicted as trying to lift Mount Kailash in the idol of Ravananugraha-murti. This theme of Iconography is very popular during the early Gupta era. Ravana is also depicted with ten heads as a symbol of his knowledge of four Vedas and six Shastras. Ravana is said to be the maestro of ‘Veena' and he also invented ‘Ravanahatha' (Ravan-Hatta) an ancient bowed violin which is now part of the Rajasthan’s rich culture. He is also credited with the composition of the ‘Shiva Tandava Stotram' and also as the chanter of Sama-Veda.

Ravana is also depicted in the drama of Kutiyattam in Kerala and the Kathakali play called Ravanolbhavam (origin of Ravana). He is depicted in the dance - drama of Yaksha-Gana and also depicted in the masks of the various folk and tribal dances of India.

The Jain and Buddhist text also mentions Ravana as a great devotee of Lord Parsavanatha or is depicted as the follower of Buddhism too. Like in India, Ravana is also depicted in the culture of Bali, Indonesia, Thailand, Java and Sri-Lanka.

To recognize this great character of Ramayana and to support the tradition of Indian tribal dances, India Post has issued a mask of Ravana on an commemorative stamp in 1975.

To known about different version of Ramayana click here.

Auspicious and warm wising from Mintage Wolrd team o the occasion of Dussehra.

Image Courtesy : Mintage World