Rama With Sita And Lakshmana, Pay Their Respects To the Queen Mothers

This Pahari style of painting is showing a scene of Rama after killing Ravana in the great battle returns to Ayodhya on a Pushpak Viman of Ravana. He is accompanied by Sita, Lakshmana, Sugriva, Hanuman, and the monkey army. The people of Ayodhya have been anxiously waiting for the arrival of Rama. As messenger Hanuman has already given the good news to the people of Ayodhya in advance that Rama is approaching the kingdom their curiosity and joy have doubled. They decorate the city with flowers, begin joyous singing soon after, and much dance in delight enthusiastically awaiting the occasion to welcome the dearest ones. Dressed in their best attires befitting the moment, the people know no bounds of the joy within. They are so overwhelmed with delight that they begin lighting lamps even during the day. The city seems to bathe in light. It is said that from that time onwards people started celebrating the day as Diwali by lighting lamps on their houses. In this Kangra painting of the raja Sansar Chand period, Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita enter the palace along with Sage Vashishtha and the monkey army. They are welcomed by the royal mothers. Rama and Sita are prostrating before Kekeyi and Sumitra, Lakshmana, before Bharata, and Shatrughan is waiting with folded hands for his turn to pay respects to his elder brother Lakshmana. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita after paying respects to their mothers Sumitra and Kekeyi now have shown prostrating before Kaushalya. Hanuman, Sugriva, and Vibhishana are closely watching the great moment with gratitude. From the windows of the palace, some men and women are witnessing the spectacular reception of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana.