Rama Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Rama (Ramachandra)
Rama is a Hindu deity, his iconography varies
Affiliation	Seventh avatar of Vishnu, Brahman (Vaishnavism), Deva
Abode	Vaikunta, Ayodhya, and Saket
Weapon	Bow and arrow
Texts	Ramayana, Ramcharitmanas
Festivals	Rama Navami, Vivaha Panchami, Deepavali, Dusshera
Personal information
Born	Ayodhya, Kosala (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India)
Consort	Sita
Children	Lava (son) Kusha (son)
Parents	Dasharatha (father) Kaushalya (mother) Kaikeyi (step-mother) Sumitra (step-mother)
Siblings	Lakshmana (brother) Bharata (brother) Shatrughna (brother) Shanta (Eldest Sister)
Dynasty	Raghuvanshi-Ikshvaku-Suryavanshi

Rama is a very important figure in Hinduism. He is believed to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu, a major Hindu god. An avatar is like a special form or appearance of a god on Earth. Rama was a legendary king in ancient India. His wife was Sita, who is seen as an avatar of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune.

Rama is the main hero of an ancient Hindu epic poem called The Ramayana. This name means "The Journey of Rama" in Sanskrit. The story tells about Rama's life, his adventures, and his teachings. He is also known as Maryada Purushottam, which means he shows people how to live a good life. He teaches us to be happy without harming others.

Who is Rama?
Important Teachings of Rama
- The Power of Rama's Name
Festivals for Rama
Rama in Art and Culture
Images for kids
See also

Who is Rama?

Rama is a central figure in Hindu beliefs. He is seen as the perfect human form of God. Many people across India and Nepal respect and worship him.

Rama's Birth and Early Life

According to the Ramayana, Rama was born in a city called Ayodhya. His father was King Dasharatha. Due to a promise made by his father, Rama was sent away from the kingdom. He went to live in the forests like a wise person, known as an ascetic.

The Story of the Ramayana

The Ramayana is a very long and famous poem. It tells the exciting story of Rama's life. It includes his time in exile, the kidnapping of his wife Sita by the demon king Ravana, and Rama's brave fight to rescue her. The story teaches important lessons about duty, courage, and love.

Rama's Family

Rama's wife is Sita. They had two sons named Lava and Kusha. Rama also had three younger brothers: Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He also had an elder sister named Shanta.

Important Teachings of Rama

Rama is often called Maryada Purushottam. This title means "the perfect man" or "the lord of self-control." He teaches people how to live a life full of good values. He shows how to be kind, truthful, and respectful to everyone.

The Power of Rama's Name

In Hinduism, saying "Ram naam" or calling out Rama's name is very powerful. Many believe it can make a person's soul pure. It is a way to connect with the divine.

Festivals for Rama

Many festivals celebrate Rama's life and story. Some of the most important ones include:

Rama Navami: This festival celebrates Rama's birthday.
Deepavali: This is the festival of lights. It celebrates Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.
Dusshera: This festival celebrates Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana.

Rama in Art and Culture

The story of Rama is very popular in art, dance, and plays.

Paintings and Sculptures: Rama is often shown in beautiful paintings and sculptures. These artworks show him as a kind and strong person.
Plays and Dances: In many parts of India, plays called Ramlila are performed. These plays tell the story of the Ramayana. Dance forms also tell parts of his story.
Temples: Many temples are built to honor Rama. These temples often have carvings that show scenes from the Ramayana.

Images for kids

Gold carving depiction of the legendary Ayodhya at the Ajmer Jain temple
Rama is portrayed in Hindu arts and texts as a compassionate person who cares for all living beings.
Rama Raj Tilak from Ramayana
The Rama story is carved into stone as an 8th-century relief artwork in the largest Shiva temple of the Ellora Caves, suggesting its importance to the Indian society by then.
1870 painting on mica entitled, Incarnation of Vishnu
Valmiki composing the Ramayana.
Rama (left third from top) depicted in the Dashavatara (ten incornations) of Vishnu. Painting from Jaipur, now at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Rama (Yama) and Sita (Thida) in Yama Zatdaw, the Burmese version of the Ramayana
In Northern, Central and Western states of India, the Ramlila play is enacted during Navratri by rural artists (above).
Rama's story is a major part of the artistic reliefs found at Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Large sequences of Ramayana reliefs are also found in Java, Indonesia.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi monuments in Karnataka, built by the Vijayanagara Empire, includes a major Rama temple. Its numerous wall reliefs tell the life story of Rama.
Rama Temple at Ramtek (10th century, restored). A medieval inscription here calls Rama as Advaitavadaprabhu or "Lord of the Advaita doctrine".
Rama, along with his younger brother Lakshmana and wife Sita, exiled to the forest.
Rama in Forest
Ravana kidnapping Sita while Jatayu on the left tried to help her. 9th-century Prambanan bas-relief, Java, Indonesia.
Hanuman meets Rama in the forest.