RAMAYANA

Ramayana is the oldest epic in Sanskrit language written by the sage, Balmiki. Popularly believed to have been composed about five centuries B.C., it has been a most familiar text in every Hindu household. Rama, the protagonist of this epic is also known as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Ramayana explains in great detail the life and love of Rama which is presented with a view to portrait and ideal life. It gives Rama’s boyhood, youth and his love with Sita, his adventures and marriage, the abduction of Sita by Ravana. Later, war breaks between Rama and Ravana during which Rama was very much helped by Hanuman and his monkey allies. The story of Ramayana ends in the destruction of the demon king Ravana and his empire, the rescue of Sita and the restoration of Rama to the throne of Ayodhya. Later Rama banished Sita out of jealousy and also due to suspicion the people had about her chastity.However, at the Hermitage of Balmiki Sita resided for sometime where she gave birth to her twin sons Lava and Kusha. One fine morning Rama discovered his sons and also recalled Sita whose innocence he realised with regret, but unfortunately he only got to know that she had already surrendered herself to the womb of the mother earth and thus relieved herself from the worldly life span.  

Rama was the son of king Dasarath of Ayodhya who had three wives. Rama was the son of his eldest queen Kausalya. He had three younger brothers namely, Laxman, Bharat and Satrughana. Due to tricky moves of his youngest stepmother Kaikeyi,  he had to give up the throne and pass exiled life in a forest for 14 years. His wife Sita and his brother Laxman had also accompanied him. The abduction  of Sita by Ravana took place during the same period. 

The Ramayana is written in seven sections and is known to have been written in fifty-five thousand lines. The seven sections are as follows:- 

1. Bal Kanda- About the boyhood of Rama. 

2. Ayodhya Kanda- Description of Ayodhya and the banishment of Rama by his father at the instance of kaikeyi. 

3. Aranya Kanda- Life of Rama in the forest and the rape of Sita by Ravana. 

4. Kishkindhya Kanda- About Rama’s stay at Kishkindhya, the capital of his alley Sugrib, the king of monkeys. 

5. Sundar Kanda- About the marvelous passage of the straits by Rama and his allies to reach Ceylon (Lanka) the kingdom of Ravana. 

6. Yuddha Kanda- About the war of Rama with Ravana, victory in war, recovery of Sita, coronation of Rama etc. 

7. Uttar Kanda- About Rama’s life in Ayodhya banishment of Sita, her death, finding of sons by Rama etc. 

RAMA

Rama, also known as Ram Chandra, the ideal son of King Dasaratha, is the central figure of the great epic Ramayana. He is known as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The main purpose of this incarnation was to destroy the ten headed Rakshas known as Ravana of Lanka or Ceylon along with many other blood thirsty demons so as to establish an empire of love and truth instead of all evils. 

RAJBIRAJ

Headquarter of Saptari district, Rajbiraj is one of the prominent places in terai. Main products of this region are rice, sugar cane, tobacco, mustard seeds.. 

RAJBANSHIS

 Rajbanshis have a community of approximately 100,000 people who live close to Nepal-India border areas in the districts of Jhapa and Morang of eastern Nepal. Anthropologists opine that they are the kiths and kins of the peripheral Koch communities of the adjacent states of West Bengal and Assam in India. However, they consider themselves as a branch of the Kirants  befitting their mongoloid feature where as their language is closer to Bengali and Assamese. They wear loose clothes conforming to their climate and weather. They worship Thaku Brahmani and also practice shamanism. Consumption of alcohol is customary while worshiping the gods. Playing with mud and water during festivals and the bridegroom’s side making monetary payment to the bride’s family during marriage are the specialties of their culture. Their principal occupation of Rajbanshis is agriculture and that they are  the indigenous people of Jhapa and Morang. 

RAI

A branch of Kirati race, Rais belong to Kirant confederation. Rais are found in eastern Nepal scattered in several zones and districts. They live mainly towards north of Sagarmatha, Koshi and Mechi zones or the districts of Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Bhojpur and Udayapur. Rais are found in various parts of India also. Athpaharia, Bantawa, Chamling, Kulung, Loharang, Nembang, Nechali, Sangpang, Thulung and Chaurasia are all the various clans of Rais. These people are famous for their courage, but that they are not interested in trifling quarrels. Instead, they are jolly people who enjoy their festivals and rituals in most entertaining ways. Mostly, agricultural people, they have also very important role in the army. They worship their ancestor ‘Purubhang’ as their native god. 

Rais speak many dialects of the Tibeto-Burman family. They have their own unique religion. Their principal scripture is Mundhum. Sitakhau Budo, Walmo Budi, Jalpa Devi and others are their local deities. Rich in culture, the Sakela (Chandi) Dance and the sharing of newly harvested foods in Nwagi are their principal festivals. Rais bury their dead. Pork is used for auspicious and holy occasions. They consider Sumnima and Paroohang as their primordial parents. 

RAHULA

Rahula is the protector of Dharma or the righteousness. He came out of the land of purity, a land of fire and infinite ferocity. He is projected on smoky gray colour and with nine heads, four arms and one thousand flaming eyes. Projected as a ferocious personality, he is always there for the protection of righteousness and to stand against wrong doings. 

Rahula is also the name of one and only son of Lord Buddha and his wife Princess Yashodhara.

RADHA

Radha is a very popular name associated with  Lord Krishna. Considered as the consort of Lord Krishna, she is projected as the symbol of  true love, romance and devotion to Krishna. In actual life, Radha was the wife of some mortal with whom she lived. Her connection with Krishna is merely symbolic and spiritual, a kind of intimate relationship between the Atma represented by Radha or Gopi and the god represented by Krishna or Shyam. Radha-Krishna or Radhe-Shyam or Gopi-Krishna are the terms used to name the couple of Krishna and Radha, particularly to depict true love or relationship. They represent an ideal couple true to each other in love and mutual sacrifice in times of distress and difficulties as well as during moments of happiness and ecstasy. 

RABI

Rabi is another popular name of Sun or Sun-God. Sunday is known as the day of Rabi. Surya is the most common name of Sun.

Dattatreya Temple

At the east end of Tachupal Tole, the eye-catching Dattatreya Temple was originally in-built 1427, supposedly using the timber from one tree. the marginally mismatched porch was added later. The temple is devoted to Dattatreya, a curious hybrid deity, blending elements of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Judging from the Garuda statue and thus the conch and chakra disc mounted on pillars supported by stone turtles before of the temple, Vishnu seems to possess initiate on top.The three-storey temple is raised above the underside on a brick and terracotta base, which is carved with erotic scenes, including unexpected humour where one bored-looking woman multitasks by washing her hair while being pleasured by her husband.

PYUTHAN

 This is one of the districts of  Rapti zone. Khalanga is the headquarters of this district. With a population of approximately  195,116 people, this district is the abode of ancient culture and traditions. Mixed population of Magars, Bramhins, Chhetris, Newars and hill mountain tribles dwell in this district or multi-culture and religion. This district is also a great trade point for adjoining areas of the high mountains and hill mountains.