Ayodhya

So they tried to destroy some main hubs.

And loot, like Somnath temple, like Ayodhya, quite a few places.

Mathura, if you go, it's very sad, you know, jail.

So, of course, reclaiming it is a different thing, political issue, I want to talk about it.

This comes from the Sanskrit words meaning row of lights.

As we saw in Ayodhya, the most ubiquitous and quintessential practice during Diwali is lighting lamps.

As night falls, homes, temples, and public spaces are lit with thousands of them.

This symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

In the 11th century, the Persian scholar Al-Biruni mentions Diwali in his huge work on Indian culture, writing that during this festival, people dress festively, make presents to each other, and light a great number of lamps in every place.

He also reports that the festival honors the goddess Lakshmi, who remains a main focus to this day for most Hindus.

The mythological narratives associated with Diwali vary from region to region, but one of the most widely recognized stories, especially in northern India, links this festival to Lord Rama's return to his kingdom in Ayodhya.

According to the ancient Indian epic called the Ramayana, Rama is exiled from his kingdom for 14 years, accompanied by his wife Sita.

I think the government has planned it well.

For example, when I was doing my research, there was a huge dam in Ayodhya.

In 2025.

So, 4-5,000 people came immediately for the Mahakam.

Kathmandu

and displace them, we won't be able to build Sukumbashi.

I am from Kathmandu, I am from Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, I belong to Bidur, For example, I don't know how the help interconnected to the country works properly, but I don't know where the Pandal is in Ayodhya.

I'm sure someone has donated 4,000-5,000 rupees.

It's got gods, demons, magical monkeys.

It's got a happy ending that is so joyous that we still celebrate, uh, the return of Ram to Ayodhya in the festival of Diwali.

And it's also got a tragic ending that is so painful that I still argue with my aunties over it, uh, about it over tea.

Uh, and I, I feel ultimately The Ramayan is about just how profoundly complex it is to live in an ever-changing world.

But the story of the humans moving through is the thing you can receive if you're not, you know, concerned about following the plot, because we sort of already know the, the tent poles.

I, I'm curious if there's time, Sonia, when you talked about your grandma sharing stories with you, if there's like one story that sticks out from Ramayana?

I mean, my favorite was always the return to Ayodhya w- for Diwali, you know?

Yeah.

Share this podcast with your loved ones and let the timeless lessons of the Ramayan inspire your journey.

In our previous episode, we witnessed the arrival of the great sages at the palace of Ayodhya.

They came to honor Ram after his victory over Ravan, but their visit soon revealed a deeper story.

We learned why Indrajit was considered such an extraordinary warrior and how Lakshman's victory over him was made possible by 14 years of discipline and sacrifice.

proudly declared.

He then described in detail the battle he had fought with the entire Vanara army and how he had struck down the princess of Ayodhya with his cosmic serpent weapon.

They are lying in the dirt of the battlefield.

The Vanaras are huddled around the fallen leaders, completely defeated, he concluded.

This is criminal negligence.

Because of all this and these kinds of stories are reported, Ayodhya bans entry of outsiders, social media personnel in government schools.

No one will tell, no one will know.

So the best way to kind of solve problem is to ensure that nobody reports it.

Nobody reports it.

This is what Ayodhya did.

This is the status of our schools.

Now let me tell you, before blaming the government, I will blame ourselves.