What is Mythology?
Did you ever wonder why there are stars in the sky? Do you ever want to know why there is fire on Earth? If you do, then you’re not alone. The ancient Greeks and Romans were puzzled by these questions. To answer them, they invented what we know today to be myths. In other words, they created and passed on stories about gods and goddesses to answer their questions. These gods and goddesses were their idols and were worshipped. Read more....
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Did you know?
Did you know the festival of lights or Deepavali is also connected to Rama ?
Find out more about the mythological tale Ramayana in this libguide....
Rama and Deepavali
Ram’s return to Ayodhya and his coronation are celebrated as Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights. This is the most important and popular festival in India and for Hindus across the world. In Malaysia, Diwali is known as Hari Deepavali, and is celebrated during the seventh month of the Hindu solar calendar. Read more HERE
Diwali for Sikhs
For Sikhs, Diwali is particularly important because it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 other princes with him, in 1619. Read more HERE
Quick Facts on 'Ramayana'
Title
The Ramayana ("Journey of Rama")
Type of text
Itihasa (history)
Who wrote it and when
The poet Valmiki first composed it around 300 BCE and much has been added over the years.
Setting of the story
c. 1500 BCE
Length
Long - about the length of the entire Christian Bible. It consists of 24,000 couplets in seven books.
Original language
Sanskrit
What it's about
A virtuous king named Rama is banished to the forest, where he has many adventures, then he rescues his wife Sita from the evil king of Lanka with the help of his friends.
Who's in it
Rama - 7th incarnation of Vishnu and virtuous king of Ayodhya
Sita - incarnation of Lakshmi
Ravana - evil king of Lanka
Hanuman - monkey-general and devotee of Rama
Sugriva - king of the monkeys
Lakshman - Rama's devoted half-brother
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