Stage of Ramlila
On the other side of the Assi Ghats on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, where Goswamiji wrote the Ram Charit Manas, within a five kilometer radius of Ramnagar is the life of Lord Sri Rama. Ramlila of Ramnagar starts on Anant Chaturdashi and lasts for a whole month. The most special thing about this Ramlila is that it is held at different places within a radius of five kilometers. Place names also date back to the Ramayana period. Events related to it take place in places like Janakpuri, Lanka, Ayodhya.
Amid continuous rain, Kunvar Anant Narayan Singh of the Kashi royal family got down from the car and rode an elephant to the staging area, where he was given a guard of honour. It was started by Raja Udit Narayan Singh of Kashi in 1783. Since then this Leela has been staged continuously. Even today, when King Anant Narayan Singh of Kashi comes to see this green on an elephant, he is greeted with chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’.
People come from far and wide
Sages and common people are present at various places of Ramnagar with full preparation for a month to witness the world famous Ramlila of Ramnagar. This Ramlila is organized every evening from 5:00 pm on Anant Chaturdashi till late night. As per the 240 year old tradition, modern system is not used in this Ramlila even today. This special Ramlila is organized without kerosene oil lamps and loudspeakers. Apart from this, the different characters participating in the Ramleela of Ramnagar also start their preparations several weeks in advance.
From Ramcharitmanas Pathan to Ramlila, the actors are eager to participate in it with dedication. People around participate in it as artists. Chandauli’s Atharva Pandey will play the role of Lord Sri Ram this time. It was included in the UNESCO Heritage List in 2008.
The exhibition is held for seven hours
It is played for about seven hours on a huge stage under the open sky over an area of ​​five kilometers and each verse or quatrain is staged. Even in modern times there has been no change in the form of this Ramlila. The whole atmosphere is festive and traditions are intact. There are permanent and temporary structures representing various places like Ayodhya, Janakpuri, Lanka, Ashoka Vatika etc. Ramnagar Ramleela is popular for its lavish sets, dialogues, lighting, sound, background and visual spectacle. Interestingly, devotees, the audience follow the cast to the next location with each episode. His acting makes Ramnagar a moving stage.
