Ramayana Masam begins in Kerala

In Kerala, the month-long Ramayana Masam or Ramayana Month began on July 17. It marks the beginning of the month of Karkkidakam, the last month according to the Malayalam calendar.

• Considered a lean month, it coincides with heavy monsoon rains experienced in the state making people spiritually inclined.

• In Hindu households, slokas from Ramayana are recited at dusk throughout the month.

• A strict, light vegetarian diet is followed.

• Recitation of Ramayana is done in temples as well.

• Elders as well as children recite the Adhyatma Ramayanam written by Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, regarded as the father of Malayalam literature.

• The prayer is for divine blessings for the fulfilment of the sublime Upanishadic dictum Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu , meaning ‘Let all the world be happy.’

• Ezhuthachan has narrated the epic in the form of Kilippaatu.