2017-04-04 Tue

The Hero of ‘Treta Yuga’, Prabhu Shree Ram Chandra was born in Ayodhya to King Dasharatha of Ishvaku dynasty and his first wife Kaushallya on Chitra Shukla Navami i.e. on the ninth day of the brighter half of the month of Chaitra. Shree Ram considered to be the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is described throughout the Hindu literature, especially in the great epic Ramayana, as a righteous and an ideal person.

This man of principles is worshiped in almost over the Indian subcontinent with scenes from Ramayana appearing in the artworks and sculptures produced not only in India but also from most of the South East Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia etc.

The day of his birth is celebrated as Ram Navami which marks the end of Chaitra Navaratri or Vasant Navaratri. Recitals of Akhand Paath of Ramcharitramanas, bhajans, kirtans and distribution of prasad after the puja and aarti adorns this day. Community meals are also organized. Temples are decorated and traditional prayers are chanted together.

Over the years many coins were minted featuring Lord Rama. Hindu temple token or Ram Tanka were used for religious purposes. They are made for religious pilgrims who carry it for good luck and to seek blessings from the gods. Akbar issued a beautiful half-mohur with Ram-Sita on one side and Persian inscriptions on the other. A gold coin of Tirumalaraya of the Vijanagara Empire also depicts Ram, Lakshman, and Sita on it.

Ram and Ramayana also appeared on the philatelic issues of many countries. Nepal issued a 0.15 Paise stamp in 1961 on the occasion of Ram Navami depicting Ram and Sita. Besides, Ramayana as a theme is featured on the stamps of Laos, Indonesia, Thailand as well as Czechoslovakia.

In India, however, there is no special stamp issued on the theme of Ramayana but Ram, along with Sita and Lakshman appears on a 20 paisa stamp issued to commemorate Rishi Valmiki who composed the Epic Ramayana.