Ramcharitmanas

Facts for Prelims

Ramcharitmanas

News: Recently, the holy book was in news because of a statement made by politician on its context. 

What is “Ramcharitmanas”?
• The poem was written in the 16th century in the Awadhi dialect that is mainly spoken in the areas that are today’s Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya districts. 
• It is divided into seven chapters (Kand) that tell the story of Lord Ram from birth to his becoming King of Ayodhya.
• It is based on the Ramayana, sage Valmiki’s great epic. It is the holiest book of the Indo-Gangetic region, and among the world’s most read holy books.

Who wrote it?
• Goswami Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas on the bank of the Ganga in Varanasi — he is said to have begun writing on Ram Navami day in 1574, and completed the poem over the next few years.