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Shri Rama Navami good wishes to all Hindus. Here's a glorious life size 500+ year old Vijayanagara era carving of Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Sugreeva & Angada. Now how do we tell Rama & Lakshmana apart considering that they are so similar? See next tweet for more info. #RamNavami
Both Shri Rama & Lakshmana wear the Kiritamukuta(crown), hold Kodanda(bow) with their left arms & with their right arms gently embracing the figures next to them. Here's where the shilpi has left us a major clue. Observe the feet. Rama's feet r missing Padaraksha(footwear)
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This is in line with what's written in the Ramayana, specifically what happens at Chitrakoota, when Bharatha pleads Rama to Ayodhya. When Rama doesn't relent, Bharatha requests Rama to give him his sandals, which he takes back to Ayodhya & places them below the throne (3)
Bharatha never assumes the throne, he keeps the padaraksha of Rama at Ayodhya as a token & while himself staying outside Ayodhya. Even during all those years of vanavaasa, it was Shri Rama who continued to rule Ayodhya. Shri Rama never left Ayodhya; not then, not now, not ever.
If you are interested in knowing more about the above sculptures, I have written a detailed post on the Temple it is from. https://twitter.com/_ugra_/status/1245015547424600067?s=19
Regarding Hanuman, Sugreeva & Angada. Rama is accompanied by Hanuman & Angada. Observe Hanuman's reverence for Rama, hand covering mouth & a slight bow representing total devotion. While Lakshmana gently embraces Sugreeva. Female figurine seen there is not Sita. She's an Apsara.
