Who else can better eulogize about Sri Rama than Saint Tyagaraja in this famous keertana -
నిధి చాల సుఖమా రామునిసన్నిధి సేవ సుఖమా నిజముగ పల్కు మనసా
దధి నవనీత క్షీరములు రుచియో దాశరథిధ్యాన భజన సుధా రసము రుచియో
దమ శమమను గంగా స్నానము సుఖమా
కర్దమ దుర్విషయ కూప స్నానము సుఖమా
మమత బంధన యుత నర స్తుతి సుఖమా
సుమతి త్యాగరాజ నుతుని కీర్తన సుఖమా
In these days of new age gods, babas, faiths and beliefs, Sri Rama yet universally appeal to Hindus alike -wherever they are and whatever their motive is. Sri Rama is the essence and epitome of Indian culture. "Sri Rama Navami" traditonally used to be celebrated as a grand festival in every nook and corner, now it is just a holiday and a symbolic celebration at Bhadrachalam. It is great pity that the temples of Rama are now giving way to temples of new age gods and babas. Those were the good old days, kids and elders alike used to wander from one pandal to another pandal looking out for cultural programs like - music, dance and harikatha recitals, mimicry programs, 16mm outdoor movies etc. Elders used to sit out for purana kalakshepam (stories from Hindu Mythology orated by an elderely scholar). Festivals are a great opportunity for bringing cultural awareness to the masses and a great opportunity to mingle. No longer it is ..
