International Seminar on the Cultural Linkage Between Ayodhya-India Aytthya-Thailand

7/31/2019 International Seminar on the Cultural Linkage Between Ayodhya-India Aytthya-Thailand

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Thailand Ram Lila, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

The Cultural Linkage

Ayodhya India

Ayutthaya Thailand

between

&

International Seminar on

India Studies Centre,Thammasat University;

Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajbhat University; Cultural Council of Ayutthaya Province;

Ayutthaya Province Administration; India-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok;

Thai-Bharat Cultural Lodge and Ayodhya Research Institute, Government of U.P., India

Organized by

13th July, 2012 India-Thai Chamber of Commerce,Bangkok

14th July, 2012 Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajbhat

University, Ayutthaya

Date & Venue :


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Ayodhyais an ancient city of India, in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh. According toRamayan,Manu (Hindu progenitor of mankind) had founded the city. Ayodhya had many names like Avadh,

Saket, Vineeta, Ayuta etc. The word Ayodhya means Undefeated. According to Hindu sacred

writings for centuries the city was ruled bySurya Vanshi Kings and was the capital of the powerful

kingdom ofKosala.

The history ofAyodhya starts with Mahajanpads. Gautam Buddha visited the city on numerous

occasions. During the Mauryan Empire the city was the important social & religious center.

Although the description ofAyodhya has been found in various ancient scriptures, it is believed that

the city was lost in third and fourth centuries and thatAyodhya city was rediscovered byChandra

Gupta Vikramaditya(379-413 A.D).

Ayodhya - India

City of Ayodhya, India A Terrokota panel mady by Sri Vishwajeet Majumdar, Kolkata


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Wat Mahadhatu

Ayodhya > Ayutthaya - Thailand

Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya made itAyodhya the second most important city after Pataliputra. Afterthe Gupta Empire, it remained as an important religious center but later lost its grace and beauty. During

the Sultanate and Mughal period, the city was neglected but in 1756 CE. Suja-ud-daula made Faizabad city

his capital and tried to rebuild the city. The British brought railways to the city and during their period

various Indian kings built a number of temples which can be seen today.

Wat Buddhaisvarya built on the spot where King Ramadhipatistayed temporarily during the construction

(Photos courtesy : Asst. Prof. Dr. Chirapat Prapandv


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Importance of Ayodhya in India

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Birth Place of Lord Ram.

As described in Valmiki Ramayanthere are about 280 places that existsin India, confirmed the existance ofLord Ram .

Detailed Research work done by ShriRam Avtar Sharma, New Delhi.

CDs & DVDs are available inAyoddhya Research Institute,Ayodhya, Faizabad, U.P., India

There are 165 places that exists inSri Lanka also, described in ValmikiRamayan.

Government of Sri Lanka haspublished detailed literature andDVD.

Raj Sadan, Ayodhya : India


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Map -3

Ram Vangaman Marg

Map -1 Map -2

Map of Ramas itinerary, while on exile from

Ayodhya to Rameshwaram


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Present Ayodhya,

courtesy Compare Infobase Pvt. Ltd.

courtesy Compare Infobase Pvt. Ltd.

Geographical Location : 625 Km from New Delhi, 130 Km

away from Lucknow and 6 km awa

from Faizabad City.

Basic Status : Population Area (km3)

about 1,00,000

oAverage Temperature : Minimum 10.2 - Maximum 42.5 C

Unique characteristics

The Birth place of Lord Rama and the cradle of Lamaism an

one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism.

The Birth place of five Jain Tirthankars including First Jain

Tirthankar Adinatha.

The Dargah of Hazrat Pagambara Sheesh, Badi Bua ki Maza

etc. which are famous in Muslims as well as Hindu devotees.

There are about 50 temples build by different kingdoms o

India.

The birth place of world renowned Gazal/Thumri Singer Lat

Begum Akhtar.Major industries: sugar, paper making, chemical fertilizers, an

leather goods

Religion: Hinduism(95%), Islam(4.1%) and others(.9%)

Religious sites: Hindu temples(about 3,600), Buddhist temple

(about 5), Islamic mosques(about 18)

Major areas of exchange : History, culture, education an

exchange of administrative branches

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The birth place of Queen Huh Wang-Ock, Queen Suro of Kin

Kim Suro of Garak State, one of the ancient kingdoms of Korea

Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

Korea Park, Ayodhya, India


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Temples of Ayodhya

Kanak Bhawan

Guptaar Ghat Chakrahari Guptaar Ghat Devkali Vishnu Pratima

Kale Ram Mandir Chakrahari Guptaar Ghat Achari Mandir

Hanuman Garhi


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Temples of Ayodhya

Digambar Jain Mandir Chakrahari Guptaar Ghat Vashishittha Kunj

Nagar Kottume Chandrahari Matgair

Nagraj Manidr


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Different Shades of Ayodhya

Bramh Kund Gurudwara

Vibhishan Kund

Kaikayi - Kaushalya Ghat

Vasishttha Kund

SuryuaKund

Bahu Begum Ka Maqbara Bru Bahu Ki Mazar


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Chaudah Kosi Parikrama Paripath Panch Kosi Parikrama ParipathChaudah Kosi Parikrama Paripath

Panch Kosi Parikrama Paripath

Tradition of Ayodhya

In the temple city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, India, Panchkosi Parikrama isperformed over a two day period. Devotees first take a holy dip in the Saryu

River and then do a Parikrama of 15 km along the periphery of the city. It

touches Chakratirtha, Nayaghat, Ramghat, Saryubagh, Halkara-ka-

pura, Dasrathkund, Jogiana, Ranopali, Jalpa Nala and Mahtabagh. On

the way the people pay homage to the deities in the shrines which are

situated on the route.

It is said that over two hundred thousand devotees including around 50

thousand sadhus from all over the country and abroad participate in the

parikrama, for the religious occasion.

The parikrama started with devotees taking a walk round the periphery of

about 50 kilometres of the temple town of Ayodhya. More than two lakh

pilgrims gathers in Ayodhya to take part in the Chaudah Kosi Parikrama after

taking holy dip in river Saryu.

Ramnavami marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama. It is usually celebrated

in the month of Chaitra according to the Indian calender which generally

corresponds to the March or April of the English calendar.

Ramnavami Mela, Ayodhya is the testimonial of love, faith and devotion of the

people in the state for their great hero Ramchandra, the central character of the

Indian epic Ramayana. The Ramnavami Mela, Ayodhya is dedicated to Lord Rama.

On the ninth day (navami)of the lunar month Ramnavami Mela is celebrated in all parts of the country. The festiva

centers around the birth of Rama.

Ramnavami


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Chaudah Kosi Parikrama

Hada-Hadai A ceremony related to Return of Lord Ram to Ayodhyaafter Exile.

Chhatth Pooja An important ceremony of God Sun.

Hanuman Jayanti

Dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun God),

Chhath puja symbolizes truth, non-

violence, compassion and forgiveness. As

the holy word suggest and according to

Hindu calendar, the festival falls on the sixthday of the Kartik (October to November).

The four-day long Chhath festival features a

number of rituals, performed at home and

on the banks of the pious Sarayu. Holy fresh

water bodies are also considered as the place

of Chhath puja. Pilgrims believe to offer

prayer before the glorious Sun-set and early

Sun-rise. They compare the natural cycle

with the process of birth and death of an

individual.

Chhath Puja

Annakut - Janki Mahal


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Maidani Ram Lila (Open Air Ram Lila)

Anavarat Ram Lila (Continuous Ram Lila)

Handicraft Museum : Ramayan

u In India very rich and oldest tradition o

Ramlila called Maidani Ramlila. Th

Maidani Ramlila is performed ritually no

theatrical.

u Ramlila of Ram Nagar Varanasi is ver

famous not only in India but all over th

World for its very rich tradition.

u Approx. 40,000 pictures and documen

from 47 districts of the country are availabl

at Ayodhya Research Institute for Researc

purpose.

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Ayodhya are some of the best known style

of Ramlila or the story of Lord Ram on

single platform performed by the variou

regional groups of India. It has bee

performed every evening from 6 PM to 9:3

PM for the last nine years at Ayodhya i

Tulsi Smarak Auditorium. Ram Lil

Groups are invited from all over countr

with all traditional styles in India like

Bundeli, Brij,Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Yaksh Gaan

Puppet Style etc.

u This is a World Record.

The Anvarat or continuous Ramlila o

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Department of Development commissioner of Handicraf

Ministry of Textile, Government of India.

u Approximately 60,000 handicraft based on Ramayan

specially Terrakota, Textile, Leather, Wood, Paper-mache

Metal, Paintings, Mural etc. and are used for researc

Handicraft Museum in Ramayan established, by support o


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am Lila

R(literallyRamas Lila or play) is a folk re-enactment of major events in the Lila ofLord Ram.

Lila refers to the mystery of God appearing in His own Creation and performing actions effortlessly and

without desire.

Ram Lila is performed in several styles with the oldest being the open-air community style performed by

amateurs and villagers. It is also performed nowadays on western style stages by professional drama troupes.

Ramlila ends with the epic battle between Lord Ram and Ravan, as described in the Hindu religious epic, the

Ramayana of Tulsidas also called the Ramcharitmanas. This folk Lila tradition originates from the Indian

subcontinent where the Lila is staged annually often over ten or more successive nights, during the auspicious

period of Sharad Navratris, which marks the start of the autumn festive period, starting with the Dussehra

festival. Usually the performances are timed to culminate on the festival of Vijayadashami day, that

commemorates the victory ofLord

Ram

over theasura

kingRavana

, On this last day, the actors are taken out in aprocession through the city, leading up to a mela ground or town square, where the enactment of the final battle

takes place. At the end of the battle, giant effigies ofRavana, his brother Kumbhakaran and son Meghanathare set

afire to be followed by the coronation (abhisheka)of Ram atAyodhya, marking the culmination of festivities and

restoration of the Divine Order.

Rama is the seventh incarnation ofVishnu and the central figure of the Ramayana. The Ramayana is based on the

life, times and values of Lord Rama. Lord Rama is called the Maryada Purushottam or 'The Best among the

Dignified'. The story of Lord Rama is so popular in India that it has actually amalgamated the psyche of the

Indian mainstream irrespective of religion. The Ramayana is the ethical base of mainstream India.

Most Ram Lilas in North India are based on the 16th centuryAvadhiversion ofRamcharitmanas that was written

byGosvami Tulsidas. This text is writtenentirely in verse and these verses are used in the dialogues in most

traditional versions of Ram Lila, where open-air productions are staged by local Ram Lila committees (Samitis)

and funded entirely by the local population and the audience. It is close to the similar form of folk theatre called

Rasa Lila, which depicts the life ofKrishna and which is very popular in Uttar Pradesh, especially the Braja

regions ofMathura and Vrindavan.

Ram Lilas has received considerable global attention, due to its diverse representations throughout the globe,

especially amongst the Indian diaspora and regions where Hinduism has spread over the centuries, like Trindad,

Guana, Suriname, Fiji, Africa, Holland, Britain, North America and several South East Asian countries.

UNESCO proclaimed the tradition of Ram Lila a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of

Humanityin 2005.

Ayodhya Ram Lila :Traditional Indian Style

Rajyabhisheka of Rama :Traditional Awadhi style


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International Seminar

on

July 13-14, 2012

Organizers :

India Studies Centre, Thammasat University,

Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajbhat University Cultural Council of Ayutthaya Province,

Ayutthaya Province Administration, India-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok,

Thai-Bharat Cultural Lodge, and Ayodhya Research Institute, Government of U.P., India

Venues :July 13, 2012 India-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok

July 14, 2012- Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajbhat University, Ayutthaya

July 12 Arrival of the delegation of Ayodhya Research Institute, India, at Suvarnbhumi Airport.They will be received by the Bangkok team.

July 13,2012 Seminar at India-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok

13.00 hours Registration

13.30 hours Inauguration Session

Welcome Speech byPresident orVice-President ofThai-Bharat Cultural Lodge

Inaugural Address byH.E. Anil Wadhwa,Ambassador of India to Thailand

Speech by Mr. Sushil Saraf, President of India-Thai Chamber of Commerce

Keynote Address byProf. S.P. Gautam, Member, M. P. Public Service Commission,Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

14.00-15.30 hours: Session I

Chairperson Assoc.Prof. Dr. Nongluksana Thepsawsdi

Co-Chairperson Dr. Yogendra Pratap Singh, Director of Ayodhya Research Institute,& Power Point Ayodhya,Faizabad,Uttar Pradesh, IndiaPresentation Ayodhya - India and Ram in Art

Paper presentation byAsst. Prof. Dr. Chirapat Prapandvidya

Paper presentation byDr Pairoj Thongkhamsuk, Royal instiute of Thailand

1530-1545 hours: Tea/Coffee Break

The Cultural Linkage between

Ayodhya India &Ayutthaya Thailand

Programme


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Programme15.45 -17.30 hours Session II

Chairperson & Power Point Member, M. P. Public Service Commission, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, IndiaPresentation Scientific Aspects in Ramcharitmanas : Its Relevance to

the Young Generation of India and Thailand

Co-Chairperson Dr. Mano Laohavanich

CD Presentation on Thai Ramakian with comment byMr. Arun Chetty

17.30 -18.00 hours Clossin Session

Chairperson Mr. Raj Matta

Co-Chairperson Mr. Sushil Sharaff

Speaker : Mr. Sushil Kumar Dhanuk

18.00 hours Ramlila Performance : Sita Swayamvar (Marriage ceremony of Ram-Sita)byAvadh Adarsh Ramlila Mandal, Ayodhya, India

19.30 hours Dinner hosted by India-Thai Chamber of Commerce

20.30 hours The Indian delegation to proceed to Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajbhat University

July 14, 2012 Seminar at Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajbhat University, Ayutthaya

08.30-12.00 hours Sightseeing of Historical place in AyutthayabyIndian delegates

12.00 hours Indian delegates to have Lunch at Suan Luang Hotel

13.30 hours Inauguration Session

Welcome Speech byPresident of Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajbhat Uuiversity

Inaugural Address byGovernor of Ayutthaya Province

Keynote Address by the President of the Cultural Council of Ayutthaya Province

14.15 hours Session I

Chairperson Scholar from Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajbhat University

Co- Chairprson S. P. Gautam, Member, M. P. Public Service Commission, Indore,Madhya Pradesh, India

Speakers to be suggested by Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajbhat University

16.30 hours Closing Session

17.00 hours Performance Khon byThai Artists and RamlilaRajyabhisheka( of Ram) byAvadh Adarsh Ramlila Mandal, Ayodhya, India

19.00 hours Dinner hosted byPhranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rahbhat Universityand after dinner Indian delegates to stay at Suanluang Hotel

July 15,2012 Indian Delegates departure for Suvarnbhumi Airport to fly back to India.

Dr. S.P Gautam,

Coronation


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AYODHYA RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Achievements

l A Handicraft Museum in Ram Katha financial support by Ministry of Textile, Government of India,DCH.

l Publication Schemes based on Ram Lila, Ramayana and Ayodhya Research Works.

l Library consists 4000 books on Indian Culture and Traditions

l Research Centres recognised by University of Uttar Pradesh Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya Avadh VishvaVidyalay, Faizabad

was founded on 18 August 1986 as an autonomous organization of

the Culture Department of UTTAR PRADESH. It is an organization formed to conduct research on

Ramkatha; investigate the historical significance of Ayodhya in relation to all religions; study the Art,

Literature, Culture, and Folk Art of Avadh, especially of Ayodhya; conduct research on Vaishnavism, Bhakti

movement and stories about Lord Rama; and preserve ancient documents of Avadh. 'Tulsi Smarak Bhavan'

the current Head Office of AYODHYA REASERCH INSTITUTE is the same place where Tulsidas started

writing Sri Ramacaritamanasa in Vikram Samvat 1631 (1574 CE).

l Daily Presentation of ANAVARAT RAM LILA since 9 years Traditional Ram Lila from variousregions of India.

Ayodhya Research Institute

Governor of State : H. E. B. L. Joshi

Chief Minister : Sri Akhilesh Yadava

Minister of Culture : Mrs Arun Kumari Kori

Chief Secretary : Sri Javed Usmani

Principal Secretary : Sri G. Pattnaik

Governor

Secreatry Culture : Sri Manoj Singh& Tourism,

Chairman

Ayodhya Research

Institute

Director : Dr. Yogendra Pratap Singh

About Ayodhya Research Institute,

Department of Culture,

Govt. of U.P.


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Goals

l Building a strong cultural bridge between Ayodhya-India and Ayodhya-Thailand.

l Infrastructure - Research Facilities, Hospitality etc. are currently provided to Research scholars andartistes from Thailand by the Ayodhya Research Institute. We need to have an exchange programbetween India and Thailand in this regard.

l Determine long term goals on research on Indian Culture, Craft, Tradition, especially Ramlila,Ramayana and Buddhism in India and Thailand.

l Regular production of high quality Research Publications.

l Establishing a Museum in Thailand based on Indian Ramlila, Ramayan, Handicraft and culturaltraditions.

l Establishing a sister museum in Ayodhya based on the Thailand traditions of Ramlila, Ramayan,Handicraft cultural traditions

Sri Brijeshwar

Patnayak

painting

instances of

RamacharitaManas on

Gada built by

papiermach,

Bhubaneshwar,

Odisa

Making of Sculpture,Terracotta, West Bengal

Lakshmana, Sita, Rama and Hanuman siting on

Elephant built in Dogra style by Tribals of Chattisgarh


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AYODHYA RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Website : www.ayodhya.co, [email protected]

Associate Professor Dr.Nongluksana ThepsawasdiDirector

India Studies Centre, Thammasat University

Susheel SaraffPresident fo India-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok,

President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Thailand

Asstant Professor Dr. Chirapat PrapandvidyaAdvisor to Sanskrit Studies Centre, Silpakorn University, Bangkok,

Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute of Thailand,

Hon. Joint Secretary, Thai-Bharat Cultural Lodge

Raj MattaHon.Secretary

Thai-Bharat Cultural Lodge, Bangkok

Susheel Kumar DhanukaMember of the Board of Management,

Thai-Bharat Cultural Lodge

Asstant Professor Vitchugon NakthonDean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University

International Seminar on

Cultural Linkagebetween

Ayodhya India & Ayutthaya Thailand: Organizing Committee :

Thanks to Citizens, Art Lovers and ofThailand

Media Persons

Special ThanksSri Manoj Kumar Singh

SChairman, ayodhya Research Institute

Audhya, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh,India

Dr. Yogendra Pratap SinghDirector, Ayodhya Research Institute,

Department of Culture, Government of U.P.,Audhya, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh,India

International Seminar on the Cultural Linkage Between Ayodhya-India Aytthya-Thailand

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