Experience The Epic Tale Of The Ramayana In Chitrakoot

There are myths, and then there are mythologies, some created and some born out of epic tales of times when gods walked the earth like common men. Nowhere else do these tales come to live with such sharp vitality as in India, where every other festival and day of the week is dedicated to some deity. By virtue of being home to the pious River Ganga and its many tributaries and distributaries along the banks of which historic cities like Allahabad and Varanasi sprang up, the northern state of Uttar Pradesh boasts a large number of holy cities and pilgrimage spots. Catering to the ever increasing number of devotees on the one hand and the religious and cultural diversity of the land on the other, Uttar Pradesh regularly hosts a number of different fairs, festivals and religious events where thousands of devotees flock to every year. One such popular event is the Ramayana Mela, held in the sacred town of Chitrakoot.

Photo Credit: Sahibdin / Wikimedia

Most Hindus are well versed with the story of Lord Rama, a tale so universal it cut across borders and beliefs to become the one epic mythology of not just India but Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos. It is known by different names in each country, but the story is always the same – of a royal prince who married a beautiful princess only to have her follow him in to a 14 year exile. His battle with the demon Ravana as he fought to win back his wife and rid the world of evil is a tale all young ones in these countries grow up listening and reading about. Chitrakoot was an important stop over for Rama during his exile, a place he spent over 11 years in and the place where the sage Tulsidas finally wrote down the verses which we today know as the epic Ramayana. The Ramayana Mela held each year in the month of February or March, celebrates this occasion as well as this epic tale.

To be held between March 10-14 this year, the mela is a huge draw for hundreds of Hindu saints, seers, religious and spiritual leaders who gather here to not only partake in a variety of religious ceremonies and activities, but to also discuss their interpretations of this glorious religious text. Religious chants, yagnas and prayers fill the air, adding to the religious fervor of the occasion. Participants and visitors are also given an opportunity to see the dramatic unfurling of Rama’s adventures and principles through the staging of the Raam Leela, literally, the story of Rama. With people from both within the country and beyond coming to attend this fair, it has over the years become a huge tourist attraction for the region.

Visitors to the fair can also use this opportunity to explore the town of Chitrakoot, known for its immense natural beauty. Dotted with sparkling lakes, waterfalls and lush patches of green rolling hills, it is a great place to relax and soak in the wonders of Mother Nature. It can also be the launchpad to explore other places of religious, mythical and historic importance in the vicinity, including Allahabad, Varanasi, Vindyachal and Lucknow.

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