History of Shree Ram

Ram was the Prince of Ayodhya, and the son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kausilya. He had three brothers, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. The Hindu god Ram turned the bow of Lord Shiva at the swayamvara organized by King Janak, and accordingly, won the hand of the King's daughter, Sita.

While he returned to Ayodhya, on the demand of his father's third wife, Kaikeyi, he was sending away for 14 years. Throughout this period of banish, the brothers Ram and Lakshmana, and Sita, and several adventures. On one occasion, Ram reject Surpanakha's marriage offer. She was the sister of the King of Lanka, Ravana.

Enraged, Surpanakha try to kill Sita, but Lakshmana cut her nose and one ear. She then request to her brother to punish her. She tempted him by telling that Sita will make a correct bride for him. Ravana kidnapped Sita. To save her, Ram wanted the help of the monkey king, Sugreeva. Sugreeva arranged a huge army of monkeys and bears, led by Hanuman.

Hanuman flies across the ocean to Lanka. There he was captured by the rakshasas (demons), and his tail was located on fire.

Though, Hanuman used his powers to increase the length of his tail such that there was no end to it. He then escaped, setting Lanka on fire with his burning tail.
Meanwhile, Ram's army had constructed a bridge across the ocean. They go through Ravana's kingdom.

In battle, Lakshmana was dangerously injured. Hanuman flew to the Himalays to take back the herb that would treat him. Though, he was unable to find it, and hence, brought back the whole mountain. In the battle, Ram killed Ravana and save Sita. They return to Ayodhya, where they were crowned King and Queen.

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Lord Shree Rama

|| Names of Lord Ram || 

Dasharathi - Lord Rama
Dhanvine - A Name for Lord Rama
Hariram - Lord Rama
Janakinath - Lord Rama
Parasme - Most Superior, Lord Rama
Paresha - Lord of the Lords. A Name for Lord Rama
Raghav - Lord Rama
Raghavendra - Lord Rama
Raghukumara - Lord Ram
Raghunandan - Lord Rama
Raghunath - Lord Rama
Raghupati - Lord Rama
Raghuvir - Lord Rama
Ram - Lord Rama, God, Supreme Spirit
Ramadeep - Lord Rama
Ramchandra - Lord Rama
Ramkishore - Lord Rama
Ramkumar - Lord Rama
Rammohan - Lord Rama
Ramnath - Lord Rama
Ramoji - Lord Rama
Ramprasad - Lord Rama
Rampratap - Lord Rama
Ramratan - Lord Rama
Ramswaroop - Lord Rama
Saketharaman - A Name for Lord Rama
Satyavache - Lord Rama, Speaker of Truth
Shashvata - A Name for Lord Rama Eternal
Shriram - Lord Rama
Sitakanta - Lord Rama
Sriram - Lord Rama
Sukhakar - Lord Rama
Vatradhara - Practising Penance, Lord Rama

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Ram Ashtothra Naamavali

|| 108 Slokas or Names of Lord Ram ||

Lord Ram Ashtothra Naamavali

Om Shri Ramaya Namaha -The Giver of happiness

Om Ramabhadraya Namaha -The Auspicious One

Om Ramachandraya Namaha - Moon like Gentle

Om Shashvataya Namaha -The ever-lasting one

Om Rajivalochanaya Namaha -The Lotus-eyed

Om Shrimate Namaha -The Abode of Lakshmi

Om Rajendraya Namaha -The King of the Kings

Om Raghupungavaya Namaha -The Scion of the Raghu dynasty

Om Janaki Vallabhaya Namaha -The Consort of Janaki

Om Jaitraya Namaha -The Triumphant

Om Jitamitraya Namaha -The Conqueror of His Foes

Om Janardhanaya Namaha -The Refuge of the people

Om Vishvamitra Priyaya Namaha -The Beloved of Sage Vishvamitra

Om Dantaya Namaha -The Unperturbed

Om Sharanatrana Tatparaya Namaha -The One who is Determined To Protect His Devotees

Om Bali Pramathanaya Namaha -The Slayer of Bali

Om Vagmine Namaha -The Spokesman

Om Satyavache Namaha -The Speaker Of Truth

Om Satyavikramaya Namaha -The One who is Truthfully Powerful

Om Satyavrataya Namaha -The One of truthful vows

Om Vratadharaya Namaha -The One who is Practising Penance

Om Sada Hanumadashritaya Namaha -The One who is always served by Hanuman

Om Kausaleyaya Namaha -The Son of Kausalya

Om Kharadhvamsine Namaha -The Slayer of the demon Khara

Om Viradha Vanapanditaya Namah -The Slayer of the demon Viradha

Om Vibhishana Paritratre Namaha -The Protector of Vibhishana

Om Kodanda Khandanaya Namaha -The One who broke the mighty bow

Om Saptatala Prabhedre Namaha -The One who Broke the Seven Tale Trees

Om Dashagriva Shiroharaya Namaha -The Slayer Of Ten-Headed Ravana

Om Jamadagnya Mahadarpaya Namaha -The destroyer of Jamadagni's Son's Arrogance

Om Tatakantakaya Namaha -The Slayer of Tataka

Om Vedanta Saraya Namaha -The Essence of Vedanta

Om Vedatmane Namaha -The Spirit of the Vedas

Om Bhavarogasya Bheshajaya Namaha -The Reliever Of Earthly Ailments

Om Dushanatri Shirohantre Namaha -The Slayer Of Dooshanatrishira

Om Trigunatmakaya Namaha -The Source of the three gunas

Om Trivikramaya Namaha -The Conqueor Of The Three Worlds

Om Trilokatmane Namaha -The Lord Of The Three Worlds

Om Punyacharitra Kirtanaya Namah -The One whose story is a source of merit to those who sing it

Om Triloka Rakshakaya Namaha -The Protector of the three worlds

Om Dhanvine Namaha -The wielder of the bow

Om Dandakaranya Kartanaya Namaha -The Dweller in the Dandaka forest

Om Ahalya Shapashamanaya Namaha -The Reliever of Ahalya's curse

Om Pitru Bhaktaya Namaha -The Worshipper of father Dasaratha

Om Vara Pradaya Namaha -The giver of boons

Om Jitendriyaya Namaha -The Conqueror of the senses

Om Jitakrodhaya Namaha -The Conqueror of anger

Om Jitamitraya Namaha -The One who wins over friends

Om Jagad Gurave Namaha -The Guru of the world

Om Riksha Vanara Sanghatine Namaha -The Saviour Of Boars And Monkeys

Om Chitrakuta Samashrayaya Namaha -The Lord who took refuge at Chitrakuta Hill

Om Jayanta Trana Varadaya Namaha -The Lord who blessed Jayanta

Om Sumitra Putra Sevitaya Namaha -The Lord who is served by Sumitra's son (Lakshmana)

Om Sarva Devadhi Devaya Namaha -The Lord of all the gods

Om Mritavanara Jivanaya Namaha -The reviver of dead monkeys

Om Mayamaricha Hantre Namaha -The Destroyer of the demon Maricha

Om Mahadevaya Namaha -The Great Lord

Om Mahabhujaya Namaha -The Lord of mighty arms

Om Sarvadeva Stutaya Namaha -The Lord who is praised by all the gods

Om Saumyaya Namaha -The Calm One

Om Brahmanyaya Namaha -The Absolute Reality

Om Muni Samstutaya Namaha -The Lord who is praised by sages

Om Mahayogine Namaha -The Great Yogi

Om Mahadaraya Namaha -The Noble One

Om Sugrivepsita Rajyadaye Namaha -The Lord who returned the kingdom to Sugriva

Om Sarva Punyadhi Kaphalaya Namaha -The Giver of fruits of pious work, good karmas

Om Smrita Sarvagha Nashanaya Namaha -The Remover of all afflictions

Om Adipurushaya Namaha -The Primal Being

Om Paramapurushaya Namaha -The Supreme Being

Om Mahapurushaya Namaha -The Great Being

Om Punyodayaya Namaha -The Source of all blessings

Om Dayasaraya Namaha -The Embodiment of compassion

Om Purana Purushottamaya Namaha -The Most Ancient Person

Om Smita Vaktraya Namaha -The One who smiling speaks

Om Mita Bhashine Namaha -The One of moderate speech

Om Purva Bhashine Namaha -The One who rarely speaks

Om Raghavaya Namaha -The scion of the Raghu dynasty

Om Ananta Gunagambhiraya Namaha -The Lord of infinite majestic qualities

Om Dhirodatta Gunottamaya Namaha -The Lord of Valorous qualities

Om Maya Manusha Charitraya Namaha -The Lord who incarnated as a man through His maya

Om Mahadevadi Pujitaya Namaha -The Lord who is worshiped by Lord Shiva

Om Setukrite Namaha -The builder of the bridge

Om Sarva Tirthamayaya Namaha -The Lord who is the sum of all holy places

Om Haraye Namaha -The Destroyer

Om Shyamangaya Namaha -The Dark-complexioned One

Om Sundaraya Namaha -The Beautiful One

Om Shooraya Namaha -The Valiant

Om Pitavasase Namaha -The Lord clad in yellow raiment

Om Dhanurdharaya Namaha -The Bearer of the bow

Om Sarva Yajnadhipaya Namaha -The Lord of sacrifice

Om Yajvine Namaha -The Sacrificer

Om Jaramarana Varjitaya Namaha -The Conqueror of birth and death

Om Vibhishana Pratishthatre Namaha -The Lord who crowned Vibhishana on the throne

Om Sarvabharana Varjitaya Namaha -The Lord who relinquished all adornment

Om Paramatmane Namaha -The Supreme Self

Om Parabrahmane Namaha -The Supreme Godhead

Om Sachidananda Vigrahaya Namaha -The Form of Eternal Bliss

Om Parasmai Jyotishe Namaha -The Supreme Light

Om Parasmai Dhamne Namaha -The Supreme Abode

Om Parakashaya Namaha -The Supreme Space

Om Paratparaya Namaha -The Supreme beyond the highest

Om Pareshaya Namaha -The Supreme Lord

Om Parakaya Namaha -The Uplifter Of The Poor

Om Paraya Namaha -The Supreme Being

Om Sarva Devatmakaya Namaha -The Lord who is the Source of all gods

Om Parasmai Namaha -The Supreme Lord

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History of Holi

Holi is the festival of colors. It is celebrated the day after the full moon in the early March; according to Hindu calendar, in the month of Phagun. It is a festival which is celebrated to welcome spring. Along with the fun and excitement of the holiday, Holi holds a historical importance for Hindus.

Holi is historically celebrated two days; even though some cities and states enjoy the festival for five or more days. Holi is one festival when social restrictions related to caste, sex, status and age are loosened. In other words, this festival of colors bridges all social gaps and brings everyone together. On these two days, no one thinks about enemies, thus applies colors to everyone who comes in front of them and says bura na mano, Holi hai ("don't feel offended, it's Holi").

The celebration of Holi involves an evil king named Hiranyakaship. He had prohibited his son Prahlad from worshipping Lord Vishnu, but he continued to do offering prayers to the god. Hiranyakaship became angry with his son, Pralhad and challenged him to sit on a pyre with his wicked aunt Holika who was believed to be immune to fire. On the order of brother Hiranyakaship, Holika put herself and Prahlad on the fire. Prahlad accepted the challenge and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone was stunned as they watched Holika burnt to death, while Prahlad survived without any scar. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. It is said that Holika begged Prahlad for forgiveness before her death, and he announced that she would be remembered every year at Holi. .

Today, the first day of Holi is celebrated with a public bonfire in the evening remembering the burning of Holika. Traditionally, boys in the community spend the weeks prior to Holi collecting dried leaves and branches they can find for the bonfire. Usually, the bonfire is lit between 10 PM and midnight (at the rising of the moon), not generally in an orderly fashion. Everyone gathers in the street for the event, and the air rings with shouts, catcalls, curses and general mayhem

Second day of the festival of Holi is associated with the immortal love of Radha and Lord Krishna. The young Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda about why Radha was so fair and he was so dark. Yashoda advised him to apply color on Radha's face and see how her complexion would change. In addition, Lord Krishna is believed to have popularized the festival by playing pranks on the gopis/ cowgirls. Holi is celebrated for 16 days in Vrindavan and Mathura due to the fact that these are the two cities with which Lord Krishna shares his deep affection. 

Krishna's followers everywhere finds a special meaning in this joyous festival. The laughter and pranks played in this festival is considered to be in imitation of Krishna's play with the gopis/ cowgirls. The morning after the bonfire, friends and family go to each other and apply colored powder to each other, throw water balloons and splash colored water on everyone. This is what makes Holi: Festival of Colors.

Toh yaaron, Bura na maano, Holi Hai…. Wishing you all a very Happy and Colorful Holi! Hope this Holi brings you and your family lots and lots of success and happiness!

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