Books and Culture

• Kuber Chalise

Chaite Dashain is celebrated on the eighth day of the lunar month of Chaitra. Goddess Durga is worshipped on this day and the devotees throng the Devi temples. In ancient times, this dashain was more popular, it is believed. In Kathmandu, the cart festival of Swet-Machhindranath — the white Avalokiteshvara, is observed at Kel tole on this day. Swayambhu Purana has it that the pulling of cart of Swet-Machhindranath eliminates diseases in the valley. Hindu scriptures say that on the eighth day of Chaitra, people should worship mother goddesses and on the ninth day Lord Ram should be worshipped.On the ninth day of the lunar month of Chaitra, Lord Vishnu was incarnated as lord Ram, states Nirnaya Sindhu.In Treta Yuga, Lord Ram was born on this day as the first son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, to fight against Demons to save saints. So, Ram Nawami is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Lord Ram.On this day a very colourful fair is held in Janakpur, the birthplace of Sita, in the eastern Terai of Nepal.In Kathmandu, devotees visit Ram temple at Baneshwor and the Ram temple at Pashupatinath across the eastern bank of Bagmati River.Maryada Purushottam, the noble and the best among human beings, the devoted son, the kind and great ruler—whatever we say, is not enough to praise lord Ram. In fact many saints have written his story, including the great epic Ramayana.According to the greta epic Ramayana, written around fourth century BC, King Dasharath of Ayodhya had four sons; Ram, Laxman, Satrughan and Bharat.When according to tradition, it came time to make Ram King – King Dashratha, at the suggestion of his second wife Kaikai, the step-mother of Ram banished Ram into exile in the jungle.

Ram being an obedient son, went to the jungle with his wife Sita and brother Laxman, where the Demon king of Lanka Ravan kidnapped Sita. Ram and Laxman fought against Ravan to get Sita back. After 14 years of exile, ram came back to his kingdom and rule for many years happily.