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| Prambanan temple |
Prambanan is a ninth century Hindu temple compound in Central Java, Indonesia, dedicated to Tri Murti, the expression of God as the Creator (Brahma), the Sustainer (Vishnu), and the Destroyer (Shiva). The temple compound is located approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta city on the boundary between Yogya and Central Java province.
The temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, and is one of the largest and the most beautiful Hindu temple in Southeast Asia. The Prambanan compound also known as Loro Jonggrang complex, named after the popular legend of Loro Jonggrang.
Ramayana’s relief illustrated on Prambanan temple narrating Sita, the wife of Rama, is abducted by Ravana. The monkey king Hanuman brings his army to help Rama and rescue Sita.
Rama is the main protagonist of the tale, portrayed as the seventh avatar of the God Vishnu, he is the eldest and the favorite son of the King of Ayodhya, Dasharata, and his wife Kausalya. He is portrayed as the epitome of virtue. Dasharata is forced by Kaikeyi, one of his wives, to command Rama to relinquish his right o the throne for fourteen year and go into exile.
Lakshmana is the younger brother of Rama, who chose to go into exile with him. He is portrayed as an avatara of Shesha, the naga associated with the God Vishnu.
Sita is beloved wife of Rama and the daughter of king Janaka. Rama went to Janakpurdham, current city of Janakpur, Nepal, and got a chance to marry her by lifting a heavy bow in compettion organized by king Janaka. The competition was to find the most suitable husband for Sita and many princes from different state competed to win her. Sita is a avatar of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. Sita is portrayed as the epitome of female purity and virtue. She follows her husband into exile and is abducted by Ravana. She is imprisoned on the island of Lanka until Rama rescues her by defeating the demon king Ravana.
Ravana is a rakshasa, is the king of Lanka. After performing severe penance for ten thousand years he received a boon from the creator –God Brahma, he could henceforth not to be killed by Gods, demons, or spirit. He is portrayed as powerful demon king who disturbs the penances of Rishis. Vishnu incarnates as the human Rama to defeat him, thus circumventing the boon given by Brahma.
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| Rama fighting Maricha demon |
When news of these event reaches Rama, he resolves to destroy Rama by capturing Sita with the aids of the rakshasa Maricha, assuming form of a golden deer, captivates Sita’s attention. Entrenched by beauty of the deer, Sita pleads with Rama to capture it. Rama, aware that this is the play of the demons, is unable to dissuade Sita from her desire and chases the deer into the forest, leaving Sita under Lakshmana’s guard. After sometimes Sita hear Rama calling out to her, afraid to his life she insists that Lakshmana rush to his aid. Lakshmana tries to assure her that Rama is invincible, and that it is best if he continues to follow Rama’s order to protect her. On the verge of hysterics Sita insists that it is not she but Rama who needs Laksmana’s help. He obeys her wish but stipulates that she is not to leave the cottage or entertain any strangers. Finally with the coast clear, Ravana appears in the guise of an ascetic requesting Sita’s hospitality. Unaware of the devious plan of her guest, Sita is then forcibly carried away by the evil Ravana.
Jatayu, a vulture, tries to rescue Sita, but is mortally wounded At Langka, Sita kept under the heavy guard of rakshasis. Ravana demands Sita marry him, but Sita, eternally devoted to Rama and refuses. Rama and Lakshamana learn about Sita’s abduction from Jatayu, and immediately set out to save her. During their search, they meet the demon Kabandha and the ascetic Shabari, who direct them towards Sugriva and Hanuman. The above story is part of Aranya khanda on Ramayana ‘s story.
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| Rama fighting Mericha demon on tapestry |