Rama
The Ideal King
The 7th avatar of Vishnu. Hero of the Ramayanam. Embodiment of dharma and the ideal man - "Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmaha."
- Sanskrit/Telugu name: రాముడు
- Also known as: Sri Ramachandra, Kodandapani, Maryada Purushottam
- Weapons: Kodandam (bow)
- Symbols: Bow and arrow, Blue skin, Kiritam
Story
Sri Ramachandra is the prince of Ayodhya who gave up his kingdom to honor his father's vachanam, spent 14 years in vanavasm, and waged war against Ravana to rescue Sita Devi. Telugu families grow up hearing Valmiki Ramayanam and Ranganatha Ramayanam (the Telugu version by Gona Budda Reddy, one of the earliest kavyas in Telugu). In Bhadrachalam, Telangana, the Sri Rama Navami celebrations are attended by the state government itself - it's a state-sponsored festival. Ramadasu's keertanas from Bhadrachalam are sung in every Telugu household. During Sri Rama Navami, families recite Sundara Kandam and do Sita Rama Kalyanam.
Fun fact
"Jai Sri Ram" is the most common greeting in many Telugu villages. Bhadrachalam temple was built by Kancharla Gopanna (Ramadasu), who was jailed for using government funds - legend says Rama himself repaid the money!