Ramchandra

Ramchandra, also transliterated as Ramachandra, is a prominent figure in Hindu tradition and the principal hero of the Ramayana. He is regarded as an avatar of the god Vishnu and is revered as an exemplar of dharma, or righteous conduct.

In the Ramayana, Ramchandra is the prince of Ayodhya, the eldest son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya. Following a promise made by the king, Ramchandra agrees to fourteen years of exile, accompanied by his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. During the exile, Sita is abducted by the demon king Ravana, prompting Ramchandra to seek her rescue with the aid of Hanuman and an army of monkeys. After a series of adventures, Ravana is defeated and Ramchandra returns to Ayodhya, where he is crowned king and ushers in a period of peace and justice known as Rama Rajya.

As a symbol, Ramchandra embodies dharma, courage, mercy, and humility. His story has been transmitted in many languages and forms, influencing religious practice, poetry, theatre, and visual art across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Devotional worship of Ramchandra continues through temples, rituals, and festivals such as Rama Navami. The name Ramachandra appears in a wide range of Sanskrit and vernacular literature, and he is often given epithets such as Raghuvanshi and Maryada Purushottama.