Dasharatha’s
illustrious son Sri Rama went out on banishment for 14 years, during which he had to kill
the ten headed demon of Lanka, who managed to take away his consort Sita. Ravana's brother
Vibhishana, a great devotee of Rama, helped him in his mission of annihilating the
ten headed demon Ravana.
Rama returned to Ayodhya and his coronation
ceremony was celebrated with great pomp. On invitation, the neighboring
princes and friends, who helped Rama during his banishment, attended the ceremony with
rare presents. Vibhishana the king of Lanka, and Dharma Varma the
king of the Chola country were also present. At the end of the ceremony, according to
custom, gifts in exchange were presented to the invitees. As Vibhishana helped Rama to
annihilate the demon Ravana, his service was the greatest and he was presented with the
highest gift namely Ranga Vimanam. Vibhishana carried the Ranga Vimanam to his kingdom
Lanka and, on the way, when he was about to cross River Kaveri, it was mid-day, and
therefore pooja had to be offered to the Vimanam. The day he reached Kaveri was a
Saturday-Rohini Star-Sukla Paksha Ekadashi-in the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April). |
